The 1960's and 1970's in Europe

focus mostly on western Europe

what characterizes the 60’s and 70’s

wanting a different way of life different than their parents and grandparents; sex, drugs, and rock n’ roll

why was it referred to as the wild 60’s

young people in violent streets, riots/uprisings/protests; baby boomers

what were the big years for social and cultural protests

1968 and 1969

how and why was Western Europe connected to the Western world

American cultural sphere; music, fashion, consumerism, Hollywood; western presence stayed in Europe culturally and politically

why was there a generational conflict

radically different lives of parents/grandparents and baby boomers

what was the period/collective experience of older generations and how did it impact their lifestyle?

lived through a period of wars, the great depression, economic struggles, genocide; “boring”, valuing older norms and values (conservative); viewed the youth as spoiled and ungrateful

what characterized the younger baby boomer generations

very radical perceived older generations as boring; rejecting traditional norms and values (sex before marriage and patriarchal gender norms); mass movements of cultural expression

why was there such a gap?

most people did not speak about what they experienced so the stories were not shared; no understanding

what are some examples of liberalization reforms that were demanded

education, gender norms, abortion, contraception, police/judicial system, employment (pay and work hours)

what were some political reasons for youth protests

sympathizing with socialism/communism, call for the end of authoritarian Governments, most countries were democracies (example: anti-Vietnam); wanted youth to be involved in politics; stop supporting authoritarian regimes and imperialism; liberalization; cultural freedom of expression

how did society come to terms with the past

questioned the responsibility and guilt of ex-Nazis; many trials

why the radical 70’s

continuation of political, cultural, and social protests; more radical, scandalous, and provocative; wanted to shock the mainstream and establishments

what was a movement during the 70’s

the punk movement, political terrorism, second-wave feminism, green movement, anti-war/anti-nuclear weapons movement

how did protests differ in the 70’s

more radical, on the street, using force; crossed legal limits

1970’s terrorism

used violent means to protest

RAF

radical leftist group the Red Army Faction formed in 1968; engaged in terrorist campaigns like bombings, arson, and kidnapping

Lufthansa

the 1976 hijacking of an Air France jetliner by the RAF group

IRA

Irish Republican Army; civil rights campaign against discrimination in voting, housing, and employment by the dominant Protestant government and population; attacks by both side

peace movements

wanted no more wars, engagement in wars, arms and nuclear production; anti-war

green movement

green peace est. in Vancouver; protecting animals and plants; petitions and protests; political involvement- many formed Government

First-wave feminism

first wave was political (the right to vote)

second-wave feminism

fight against the continuation of women being second class citizens; discrimination, abortions, divorce, guardianship, contraception, inheritance, and equal pay

UK

abortion act- 1967, employment protection act-1975, sex discrimination act- 1975, equal pay act- 1970