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

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When most people think of the 1950’s or 1960’s, they think of Elvis, Greasers, jukeboxes, Woodstock, and rainbow peace signs and hippie love. Although these symbols are somewhat accurate (and very popular), not many people think about the changes society and culture went through. The 1950’s and 60’s were a time of great change and freedom for many Americans. Everything from World War II, to the gay liberation movement, to the Civil Rights Act of 1964 helped to change society. Many of the views American’s had on topics such as war, gender roles and sexual preference were changed greatly after these events and have led to our culture being what it is today. The 1950’s and 1960’s were a time where great changes took place that helped to shape our nation into what it is today.
The biggest cause of change in the 1950’s and 60’s was the end of the second World War in 1945. During these times of war, the men of society were off fighting for freedoms and beliefs. This left women at home with a great and rare opportunity. Many women took this opening to expand their horizons by joining the workforce. They took many jobs that the men had previously held and broke the gender barrier. Another big change, believe it or not, was women starting to wear pants, something that was not common due to the unspoken rules of female dress attire. Most women were expected to wear skirts or dresses, but this changed as women became active in the labor force. A woman’s becoming in the workforce during the 1950’s and 60’s caused great changes in our culture and society. It allowed women to begin to be involved in the working world, which ultimately led to women today having this same opportunity. However, women currently have the chanc...

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...ast has proven to be greatly influential to our current and future as a country. The 1950’s and 1960’s were eras of great transformation and liberation for fellow Americans. Events like World War II, the gay liberation movement, and the Civil Rights Act of 1964 helped to change society. Today, women can be U.S. Secretaries of State or CEO’s of huge, successful companies; the first openly gay professional football player can be drafted into the NFL, or the mixed race “power couple” that is Kim and Kanye have the chance to make millions off doing whatever it is that they do. The 1950’s and 1960’s were a time of great changes that helped to change and shape our nation into the land of great opportunity that we know it as today.

Work Cited
Brinkley, Alan. American history: connecting with the past. 14th ed. Boston: McGraw-Hill Higher Education, 2012. Print.

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