Please enable JavaScript.
Coggle requires JavaScript to display documents.
The Sixties: Social changes - Coggle Diagram
The Sixties: Social changes
Expansion of mass media
Televisions became available everywhere, which ended the isolation of distant communities.
The television rapidly replaced the cinema.
By 1971, 91% of ppl had a TV in their home,
The Radio survived thanks to the development of car radios and portable transistors.
The Sun launched in 1964 and replaced the serious working class newspaper, The Daily Herald.
Scientific developments
The Post Office Tower (the tallest building in Britain) opened in 1956 to improve telecommunications.
However, Britain remained behind with The USA landing on the moon in 1969.
For the Labour Party scientific developments were a key aim.
Growth in leisure activities
Car ownership accelerated rapidly in the 60s, as technological adavancements meant that cars became more affordable.
By 1969, TV accounted for 23% of leisure time.
Mass tourism increased with 4million ppl traveling abroad in 1961, compared to 2 million in 1951.
Shopping became a leisure activity as mass production grew.
Britain’s airways was founded in 1964.
However, the cost of air travel meant that holidays abroad were largely only for the middle classes.
Women
2nd wave feminism spread to Britain in the 60s and 70s.
The expectation of a women as good wives and mothers remained strong throughout the 60s.
Many left school and the minimum age and married young.
Working mothers were often portrayed as selfish and unnatural in the media.
The 1967, Family Planning Act allied local authorities to provide contraceptives + contraceptive advice.
Multiple Women’s liberation groups formed, campaigning for social and economic equality for women.
1970, Equal Pay Act estbalused equal pay for equal work but it did not come into force for a further 5 years.
Women only accounted for 28% of higher education students in 1970.
Remvoal of censorship / shift in moral attitudes
Mary Whitehouse:
Conservative anti feminist campaigner. Launched her 'Clean up TV' campaign in 1964.
1967, The Dangerous Drugs Act:
made it illegal to possess drugs such as cannabis and cocaine.
The removal of theatrical censorship in 1968, allowed nudity on stage.
The 'permissive Society':
Spread of drug and gang culture + rates of sexually transmitted infections increased etc.
Removal of censorship:
the 60s saw a gradual broadening of what was considered acceptable. Screen violence and sex had became more explicit.
Previosuly taboo subjects were discussed in books, the radio and tv - spread of 'permissive' ideas.
Youth
Skinheads emerged, evolved form the mods with shaven heads and braces.
Young ppl listened to popular music on the Radio and on Tv (e.g. Top of the Pops).
Hippies embraced 'flower power', an alternative lifestyle emphasised on environmentalism, peace and free love.
New cheap record players and records made music accessible to all.
Young ppl clashed with their parents with a greater questioning of previous norms around sex and drugs - causing concern among the older generations.
Anti- Vietnam war riots
March 1968, The Battle of Grosvenor Square: are violent protests, ending with over 200 people arrested.
October 1968, 30,000 people took part in a protests.
March 1968, violent anti- Vietnam war demonstration in London.
Youth culture of political activism merge in opposition to the controversial Vietnam War in the late 60s.
Issues of Immigration & race
The Race Relations Board
was set up to consider discrimination complaints but it was very ineffective.
1968, Enoch Powell's 'Rivers of Blood' speech:
Racist speech agent immigration. Powell was sacked but a poll found that 75% of the population agreed with him.
1965, the first Race Relations Act:
it forbade discrimination in public places due to race. It didn't ban discrimination in housing and employment.
1968, Race Relations Act:
Banned racial discrimination in housing, employment, insurance and other services.
In 1965, 9/10 people disapproved of mixed race marriages.
The Notting Hill Carnival, improved community relations and became an annual event form 1964 + youth culture was influenced by ethnic music, fashion and street life.