“Youth protests of the 1960s and 1970s successfully challenged established authority.” Discuss.

The question requires that candidates offer a considered and balanced review of the statement that youth protests of the 1960s and 1970s successfully challenged established authority. Candidates may place emphasis on protests in the US, but accept any country where youth protests occurred. Candidates may argue that youth protest successfully challenged Nixon to change US policy in Vietnam through anti-war protest, for example the 1969 Moratorium. However, they may discuss that US withdrawal from Vietnam was not necessarily an achievement of youth protest. Candidates may also argue that student protesters challenged university authorities, and refer to their successes at the University of California or Berkeley's Free Speech Movement. Still, they may discuss that change was not radical, as slogans questioning authority alienated those in a position to enact change. Candidates may argue that students were successful at challenging political authority, when the Democratic Party reformed the nomination process in 1972 to maximize youth participation. Students in Mexico protested against their government and in favour of land reform. Youth protests also occurred in Argentina, Brazil and Chile with varying causes and results.

The question required candidates to offer a considered and balanced review of the statement that youth protests of the 1960s and 1970s successfully challenged established authority. A modest number of candidates addressed whether youth protest movements were effective in challenging authority, but often without a sound basis of knowledge as to the actual contributions or involvement of young people. The majority of candidates focused on the civil rights movement but with limited awareness as to which events involved youth. Others applied Vietnam, with slightly more clarity as to youth involvement and its impact.