This is in response to the thread:
"the '70s" in U.S. is from late '73 gas lines to Reagan's optimism after near brush March 30, 1981?"
My opinion on cultural watersheds since World War II (US-specific):
Note: Overlaps are intentional. Culture rarely changes abruptly on a dime.
1945-1948 - Soldiers come home, accelerate market for cars, suburban homes, college, etc. Beginning of TV. Not a decade but an "interregnum" between the War and the next decade.
1948-1957 - Red scare, suppression of Communist Party, social conservatism - Rock & Roll, civil rights rebellion near end of time period. The stereotypical "1950s". Ended with Yates v. United States.
1957-1966 - The largely forgotten "early 1960s" - Beginning of space age, "The Jetsons" shows optimism about a high-tech future. Quiet loosening of social conservatism, invention of birth control pill. Popular culture largely continues the 1950s.
1963-1967 - Another "interregnum" period, neither fish nor fowl. Started with Civil Rights marches, ended with Summer of Love. Young people increasingly socially liberal.
1966-1973 - The stereotypical "1960s". Enough said. Maybe too much said.
1973-1975 - "Interregnum" where Vietnam-era radicalism was dying but not dead. Gas shortage. Inflation starts taking off. Social liberalism no longer just for young people.
1975-1981 - "Bicentennial nuts" bring new wave of non-conservative patriotism. Left causes like gay rights start being taken seriously. Inflation dominates the economy but jobs are plentiful. The stereotypical "1970s". Ended abruptly soon after Reagan took office.
1979-1991 - The stereotypical "1980s". Escalation of the Cold War. Fear of nuclear war. Fundamentalist Christianity and social conservatism dominated. However, the "New Age Movement" was a somewhat safe way for middle and upper class people to quietly rebel.
1989-1995 - Cold war ended. Continuation of 1980s culture with a gradual easing of social conservatism.
1995-2001 - Internet becomes available to the masses. IMHO, this had more impact on the US than the end of the Cold War. Social liberalism on the rise though economic conservatism rules the day. The stereotypical "1990s". Abrupt ending on 9/11.
2001-2014 - Post 9/11 era. Free speech curtailed. People get used to "security" measures. Battle of Seattle and Occupy Movement are attempts to revive past radicalism, and partially work. Rise of Internet services like MySpace and Facebook.
2014-present - Smartphone era. Most people have the Internet in their pockets. Texts and email have replaced phone calls. Apps are everything now. Phone calls and face to face communication are becoming passe. Pay phones are an anachronism. Carrying cash is, ironically, for poor people.
Feedback please!
"the '70s" in U.S. is from late '73 gas lines to Reagan's optimism after near brush March 30, 1981?"
My opinion on cultural watersheds since World War II (US-specific):
Note: Overlaps are intentional. Culture rarely changes abruptly on a dime.
1945-1948 - Soldiers come home, accelerate market for cars, suburban homes, college, etc. Beginning of TV. Not a decade but an "interregnum" between the War and the next decade.
1948-1957 - Red scare, suppression of Communist Party, social conservatism - Rock & Roll, civil rights rebellion near end of time period. The stereotypical "1950s". Ended with Yates v. United States.
1957-1966 - The largely forgotten "early 1960s" - Beginning of space age, "The Jetsons" shows optimism about a high-tech future. Quiet loosening of social conservatism, invention of birth control pill. Popular culture largely continues the 1950s.
1963-1967 - Another "interregnum" period, neither fish nor fowl. Started with Civil Rights marches, ended with Summer of Love. Young people increasingly socially liberal.
1966-1973 - The stereotypical "1960s". Enough said. Maybe too much said.
1973-1975 - "Interregnum" where Vietnam-era radicalism was dying but not dead. Gas shortage. Inflation starts taking off. Social liberalism no longer just for young people.
1975-1981 - "Bicentennial nuts" bring new wave of non-conservative patriotism. Left causes like gay rights start being taken seriously. Inflation dominates the economy but jobs are plentiful. The stereotypical "1970s". Ended abruptly soon after Reagan took office.
1979-1991 - The stereotypical "1980s". Escalation of the Cold War. Fear of nuclear war. Fundamentalist Christianity and social conservatism dominated. However, the "New Age Movement" was a somewhat safe way for middle and upper class people to quietly rebel.
1989-1995 - Cold war ended. Continuation of 1980s culture with a gradual easing of social conservatism.
1995-2001 - Internet becomes available to the masses. IMHO, this had more impact on the US than the end of the Cold War. Social liberalism on the rise though economic conservatism rules the day. The stereotypical "1990s". Abrupt ending on 9/11.
2001-2014 - Post 9/11 era. Free speech curtailed. People get used to "security" measures. Battle of Seattle and Occupy Movement are attempts to revive past radicalism, and partially work. Rise of Internet services like MySpace and Facebook.
2014-present - Smartphone era. Most people have the Internet in their pockets. Texts and email have replaced phone calls. Apps are everything now. Phone calls and face to face communication are becoming passe. Pay phones are an anachronism. Carrying cash is, ironically, for poor people.
Feedback please!