The 1950's and 1960's: A Time of Great Changes Shaping the America We Have Today

Out of some of the most turbulent times in history have come the greatest ages of success and prosperity. The 1920’s and 1950’s are two eras that exemplify the spirit of triumph and wealth. In both decades, a nation thrilled by the victorious conclusion of war and the return of their loved ones from war entered into an age of capitalism and materialism, bolstering the economy and with it national pride. Some of features most common to the 20’s and 50’s were consumerism and the accompanying optimistic mindset, the extent to which new ideas entered society, and discrimination in terms of both sexism and racism.

The 1950s and the 1960s had many similarities, though they had many differences as well. Their similarities and differences include: the politics, the economy, the society, and the culture of both decades. In the 1950s, North Korea moved into South Korea and began a civil war between the two parallel countries. The reason for this dispute was the border lines as well as guerrilla fighting in the South, which created a greater tension on the issue. The reason why the U.S entered the Korean War was so that the Soviet Union would not gain another nation and, in turn, more power. Like the 50s, our country was also at war with another country in the 60s. This time, the U.S was at war with Vietnam. The U.S entered the war because the

The woman’s role in society had many changes during the era of WWII to the baby boom era. It went from the strong independent woman that can work in a factory to a house wife that takes care of the family to the final slightly dominant, but still dependent female. All of these different feminine mystiques were changed because of society and through indirect propaganda in TV shows and

How have the 1960s dramatically impacted and influenced today’s society? In today’s society, there are many controversial topics that we are facing today; we have the 1960s to thank for those things. The sixties was one of the most impactful decades pertaining to culture revolutions; it is the decade that brought into play some of the problems and privileges that the present is dealing with now. The sixties brought the gay movement, women’s rights, the drug revolution, and has also impacted music as well.

The 1960s was crammed full of many impacting events and important figures. From Hitchcock releasing one of the greatest thrillers of all time, Psycho, to Marilyn Monroe’s untimely death, to the infamous Woodstock festival. This era changed history completely and made the United States think twice about its youth. Events of the 1960s are still impacting our country as we know it today. The sudden pull from the conservative ‘50s changed America’s views on all aspects of life, including fashion, entertainment, and lifestyles.

With the overwhelming amount of Levittown houses, the obsession to obtain the perfect American “ideal family” as seen on TV and the unspoken agreement to fear any and all foreign ideas and values, the 1950s were revealed to be a decade of prosperity, conformity and consensus. Just ten years later the atmosphere in America was shockingly different; the 1960s were a decade of turbulence, protest and disillusionment due to the ongoing struggle for civil rights, arising feminism, and the Vietnam War.

An award-winning writer and internationally recognized expert on the family, Stephanie Coontz, in her article, “What We Really Miss About The 1950’s,” states that “In a poll by the Knight-Ridder News Agency, more Americans chose the 1950’s than any single decade as the best time for children to grow up.” However, Coontz has her own view of the 1950s, and she illustrates her own opinions about this decade using strong and logical facts. While the nostalgia of the 1950s is vastly strong in some people, some fail to notice the negativity and the reality of it.

The United States of America has always seemed to have a sense of confidence in in itself and its people like no other country on the planet. This paper will discuss the affect the 1960s had on the cultural movement in The United States. With The Cold War at its peak, The American people were tenacious in being the number one global power. In the 1960s, The U.S. seemed to develop a new certainty in itself that was caused by the growing determination to be a superior nation to that of the Soviet Union. The United States not only wanted, but also needed to have the best military, the better space program, and also even be the best at certain pastime activities. Everything was a hostile competition between the two nations. As tensions rose between The US and The USSR, America’s assurance to be the best seemed to rise as well.

Homosexuality in many countries is not recognized. Back in the 1950s-1960’s activities as little as holding hands were illegal in most states for homosexuals (Love). The gay rights movement took flight in the 60’s when civil rights campaigns, woman movements and anti war protests were going on. Also in 1969 the gay rights movement took an important turn when police raided a common gay bar called the Stonewall inn, prior to that police raidings were common except for this one time at the Stonewall inn, Gay activists fought back. The activists rioted and forced the police to retreat. Riots went on for several more days and weeks and lead to the Gay Rights movement (Gay Rights). The Stonewall riots shaped the future for homosexuals sparking the fight for their rights.

The 1960’s was a decade that forever changed the culture and society of America. The

To some people the 1960s were the best of times, to others it was a

The 1960s are frequently referred to as a period of social protest and dissent. Antiwar demonstrators, civil-rights activists, feminists, and members of various other social groups demanded what they considered to be justice and sought reparation for the wrongs they believed they had suffered. The decade marked a shift from a collective view on politics, to a much more individualistic viewpoint. The 1960s could easily be characterized as a period during which political, ideological, and social tensions among radicals, liberals, and conservatives in American society are seen to have rapidly unfolded. Due to this, the decade has had an overwhelming effect on the decades that have followed. The sixties have had the greatest impact on American society out of any decade in recent history. Whether for better or for worse, the decade has had a profound influence on politics, society, foreign policy, and culture.

“The gay rights movement is not a party. It is not a lifestyle… It is not about sin or salvation. The gay rights movement is an integral part of the American promise of freedom” (Urvashi Vaid). Many people were not supportive of the minority of people coming out to the world and becoming a part of the LGBTQ+ community. The actions of the many who did not accept the idea of being gay, lesbian or transgender, would interfere with their confidence and freedom of being who they want to be. The idea of gay rights was not socially accepted since it had differed from the social norm of a male and female sexually attracted to one another. However, there would be a ‘safe haven’ in most cities for the LGBTQ+ community to thrive and reveal themselves towards the people that truly accepted them for who they are. Although there were very few ‘safe havens’ around, these places would be tormented by the police and many of the people in them would become oppressed since they wanted to be in a place of acceptance. From June 28, 1969 through July 1, 1969, the gay community faced massive oppression from police raids in Greenwich Village, NYC at Stonewall Inn, which caused them to start a riot which ignited a major conflict for the sake of their own safety and freedom. This riot allowed them to show their oppressors that they are human as well and are able to fight back for themselves and for the future generations ahead of them. Due to the lack of a formal compromise

The Stonewall Riot of 1969 was a turning point for the LGBT community. During this incident, police raid Stonewall Inn, a gay club in New York City. While police were arresting people inside the club, people began to resist the police. The individuals inside the club were annoyed and tired of all the raids that were occurring, subsequently causing a violent riot to ensue. This event further lead for the first known organize gay and lesbian pride march to end harassment and abuse against LGBT in New York. As the LGBT community continued to protest for change and equality in New York, soon these changes began to spread all over the United

Through the hardships that gays and lesbians have had to face The gay rights movement began. these movements are the reason why gays and lesbians are equally accepted in society. During the time of the civil rights movements where people were trying to get social reform, being gay was basically the new black. Inspired by the African-American civil rights movement, homosexuals began to organize themselves and fight for the equality and justice they did not have yet. (The history of gay rights Minh T. Nguyen) The Stonewall uprising in 1969 was a watershed moment in gay pride when homosexuals fought against police who raided their street bar. The uprising at Stonewall represented power, the people were tired of being ridiculed for being who they are so they resisted. "The crowd began to get out of hand, eye witnesses said. Then, without warning, Queen Power exploded with all the fury of a gay atomic bomb." (Jerry Lisker) after years of unfair treatment, the homosexual community Sought the opportunity to stand up for themselves. The violence and attention that the Stonewall uprising brought would be one of the main reasons why homosexuality is now legal and mostly accepted. Although the Stonewall uprising is one of the most recognized movements regarding gay rights it is not the only one. On June 27, 1970, The first gay pride parades were held on the anniversary