Life in the Sixties

              Life in the Sixties

1. The 1960s was a decade of great change in international, social and cultural life. Important achievements included man walking on the Moon and the first human heart transplant.

2. After the hardships caused by the two World Wars, England experienced stability and prosperity. Life became easier for British people during the 1960s.

3. British society had been static, conservative and traditional until the late 1950s. However, by the end of the 1950s and during the 1960s, there were major changes in living standards, lifestyles and attitudes. Society became more free-thinking and less traditional, marking a clear difference from the strict society of the 1940s and 1950s.

4. Harold Wilson became Prime Minister in 1964, ending 13 years of Conservative rule. The Labour Party remained in power until 1970.

5. The 1960s saw a movement towards a more classless society. The gap between upper and lower classes became less noticeable.

Working-class people became wealthier because of higher wages. Average weekly earnings increased from £8.20 in 1951 to £23 in 1968.

6. Consumer goods became more affordable. Television, cars, refrigerators and washing machines became common in British homes. By 1961, about 75% of homes had televisions.

7. West Indian immigration increased after the USA restricted West Indian immigration. Around 34,000 West Indians came to England in 1962, leading to racial tensions and riots in some areas.

8. Higher education expanded greatly. New universities such as Sussex, York and Kent were established, and teacher-training and technical colleges were upgraded.

9. Overall, the 1960s brought greater prosperity, social change, immigration, educational development and liberalisation to Britain.

10. Primary education became more flexible and enjoyable. In 1964, the Schools Council for Curriculum and Examinations was established to introduce new ideas in education.

11.A strong youth culture developed, challenging the values of the older generation.

There were major changes in fashion, music, literature and the arts. Miniskirts and kaftans became popular.

12. The Beatles and The Rolling Stones became internationally famous. Their music represented young people’s rejection of traditional parental values.

13. The 1960s became known for “permissiveness”, as traditional social and sexual restrictions weakened.

14. Contraceptive pills and recreational drugs contributed to changes in social attitudes.

15. The youth movement later included Flower Power, the hippie movement and LSD. However, violence and hard drugs gradually overshadowed its earlier glamour.

16. Major cities also underwent rapid transformation. Old buildings were demolished and replaced by skyscrapers and modern housing, creating a new urban landscape.

17. The 1960s was a period of major social, political, cultural and scientific change, both in Britain and around the world.

Social change: People became more aware of environmental issues, pollution and the harmful effects of technology. There was growing concern about protecting nature and other species.

Political change: Important leaders such as John F. Kennedy, Jawaharlal Nehru and Martin Luther King Jr. influenced the decade. The Black Civil Rights Movement in America gained strength under Martin Luther King Jr.

Cold War: Tensions between the USA and USSR increased. The Cuban Missile Crisis of 1962 was a major event. The Berlin Wall became a symbol of the conflict between East and West.

Science and technology: One of the greatest achievements was the Moon landing in 1969, when Neil Armstrong became the first man to step on the Moon.

Medicine: The decade also saw important medical advances, including the first human heart transplant, performed by Dr Christian Barnard.

Drama: A new form called “kitchen-sink drama” portrayed ordinary working-class and domestic life. Plays such as A Taste of Honey focused on everyday social problems.

Poetry: The “Movement” poets wrote about ordinary modern life in a realistic style. Poets included Philip Larkin, Thom Gunn and Donald Davie. Dylan Thomas's style also influenced poetry.

Literature: Important works included Joseph Heller's Catch-22 (1961) and Norman Mailer's An American Dream (1965).

Popular culture: Films and musicals became increasingly important, with works such as Dr. Zhivago and Funny Girl becoming popular.

Youth culture: The 1960s was marked by youthful optimism, excitement and experimentation, although drug abuse and other social problems also increased.