Postwar Political and Social Changes

Postwar Political Postwar Political and Social Changesand Social Changes

Evelina KelbechevaEvelina KelbechevaModern Europe HTY 213aModern Europe HTY 213a

Science and TechnologyScience and Technology• After 1940, theoretical science and After 1940, theoretical science and

practical or applied science were practical or applied science were effectively joined on a massive scaleeffectively joined on a massive scale– University scientists worked on top-University scientists worked on top-

secret projects to help fight the war. secret projects to help fight the war. Their efforts produced radar, electronic Their efforts produced radar, electronic computers, and eventually the atomic computers, and eventually the atomic bombbomb

Science and TechnologyScience and Technology• The spectacular results of directed The spectacular results of directed

research during WWII inspired a new research during WWII inspired a new model of scientific research called “Big model of scientific research called “Big Science”Science”– Big Science combined theoretical work with Big Science combined theoretical work with

sophisticated engineering in a large sophisticated engineering in a large organizationorganization

– Capable of tackling large or difficult problems, Capable of tackling large or difficult problems, but was also very expensive, necessitating but was also very expensive, necessitating large-scale funding from governments and large-scale funding from governments and private corporationsprivate corporations

Science and TechnologyScience and Technology• Science was not demilitarized after the war, Science was not demilitarized after the war,

and scientists remained a critical part of every and scientists remained a critical part of every major military establishment major military establishment – Both the US and the Soviet Union heavily financed Both the US and the Soviet Union heavily financed

sciencescience– After 1945, roughly 25% of all men and women After 1945, roughly 25% of all men and women

trained in science and engineering in the West and trained in science and engineering in the West and the Soviet Union were employed in weapons the Soviet Union were employed in weapons researchresearch

– Big Science, government spending, and military Big Science, government spending, and military needs all came together in the Space Race, which needs all came together in the Space Race, which led to the first moon landing in June 1969led to the first moon landing in June 1969

Science and TechnologyScience and Technology• The changes brought by Big Science The changes brought by Big Science

changed the scientific communitychanged the scientific community– The expansion of government-funded research The expansion of government-funded research

in the US attracted many of Europe’s best in the US attracted many of Europe’s best scientists in the 1950s and 1960sscientists in the 1950s and 1960s

– The scientific community became larger than The scientific community became larger than ever beforeever before

– Scientists became highly specialized, and Scientists became highly specialized, and scientists now worked as part of a team and as scientists now worked as part of a team and as part of large, bureaucratic organizationspart of large, bureaucratic organizations

– Modern science became brutally competitiveModern science became brutally competitive

The Changing Class The Changing Class StructureStructure

• Rapid economic growth helped create a new, Rapid economic growth helped create a new, more mobile and more democratic society in more mobile and more democratic society in Europe after WWIIEurope after WWII

• Due to rapid industrial and technological Due to rapid industrial and technological expansion, the middle class grew massively expansion, the middle class grew massively and became less definedand became less defined– In the 19In the 19thth century, the middle class had consisted century, the middle class had consisted

of independent, self-employed individuals, and the of independent, self-employed individuals, and the key to wealth had been family ties and propertykey to wealth had been family ties and property

– After 1945, the middle class consisted of After 1945, the middle class consisted of managers and technological experts valued for managers and technological experts valued for their ability to serve large organizationstheir ability to serve large organizations• Often had backgrounds in engineering or accountingOften had backgrounds in engineering or accounting• Increasingly came from all social classes Increasingly came from all social classes


• The lower class also became more The lower class also became more flexible and openflexible and open– Mass exodus from farms and rural areasMass exodus from farms and rural areas– Industrial working class declined as Industrial working class declined as

opportunities for white-collar and service opportunities for white-collar and service jobs increasedjobs increased

– Resembled the new middle class in that Resembled the new middle class in that the new working class were also better the new working class were also better educated and more specializededucated and more specialized


• European governments reduced social European governments reduced social tensions by introducing social security tensions by introducing social security reformsreforms– Some measures, like unemployment benefits and Some measures, like unemployment benefits and

old-age pensions, simply strengthened reforms old-age pensions, simply strengthened reforms first introduced by Bismarckfirst introduced by Bismarck

– Some were new, like comprehensive national Some were new, like comprehensive national health care, family allowances for the poor, health care, family allowances for the poor, maternity grants, and inexpensive public housingmaternity grants, and inexpensive public housing

• Reforms promoted equality by raising the Reforms promoted equality by raising the standard of living and by taxing the rich to standard of living and by taxing the rich to pay for social security measurespay for social security measures


• The rising standard of living and the The rising standard of living and the spread of standardized consumer goods spread of standardized consumer goods also helped ease class tensionsalso helped ease class tensions– Car ownership became widely available in Car ownership became widely available in

Western Europe, going from 5 million cars Western Europe, going from 5 million cars in 1948 to 44 million in 1968in 1948 to 44 million in 1968

– ““Gadget revolution” and the new social Gadget revolution” and the new social security net made people more willing to security net made people more willing to take on debt to buy consumer goodstake on debt to buy consumer goods

– Post-war Europe saw a huge boom in Post-war Europe saw a huge boom in leisure travel leisure travel

Youth and the Youth and the CountercultureCounterculture

• Influenced by economic prosperity and a more Influenced by economic prosperity and a more democratic class structure, the generations born democratic class structure, the generations born after WWII developed a distinct and international after WWII developed a distinct and international youth cultureyouth culture

• Developed first in the United StatesDeveloped first in the United States• In the 1950s, young people were called the “Silent In the 1950s, young people were called the “Silent

Generation” for being quiet and docile, but there Generation” for being quiet and docile, but there was still some youth rebellionwas still some youth rebellion– Idolized celebrities like Elvis Presley and James Dean Idolized celebrities like Elvis Presley and James Dean – Beat movement expanded on the theme of revolt and Beat movement expanded on the theme of revolt and

restlessness felt by young people in the ’50srestlessness felt by young people in the ’50s– Developed a new subculture that combined radical Developed a new subculture that combined radical

politics, new artistic styles, and personal experimentationpolitics, new artistic styles, and personal experimentation


• This new subculture soon spread to major This new subculture soon spread to major American and Western European citiesAmerican and Western European cities

• Tied together partly by rock musicTied together partly by rock music– Grew out of the music culture of African-Grew out of the music culture of African-

Americans, particularly rhythm and bluesAmericans, particularly rhythm and blues– Musicians like Bob Dylan expressed the radical Musicians like Bob Dylan expressed the radical

political and cultural aspirations of the political and cultural aspirations of the younger generationyounger generation

– Music expressed the differences between the Music expressed the differences between the pre-and-post-WWII generations; the new youth pre-and-post-WWII generations; the new youth were increasingly discontent with middle-class were increasingly discontent with middle-class conformity, racial injustices and imperialismconformity, racial injustices and imperialism

• Sexual behavior of young people Sexual behavior of young people changed drastically in the 1960s and changed drastically in the 1960s and the 1970sthe 1970s– More young people were having sex More young people were having sex

earlier and more oftenearlier and more often– A growing number of unmarried young A growing number of unmarried young

people lived together without getting people lived together without getting married and having childrenmarried and having children



• Several factors contributed to the Several factors contributed to the development of an international youth culture:development of an international youth culture:– Mass communications and youth travel linked Mass communications and youth travel linked

different countries togetherdifferent countries together– Postwar baby boom meant that young people were Postwar baby boom meant that young people were

an unusually large part of the populationan unusually large part of the population– Post-war prosperity gave young people the Post-war prosperity gave young people the

necessary purchasing power to set their own trends necessary purchasing power to set their own trends and mass fadsand mass fads

– Availability of good jobs meant young people didn’t Availability of good jobs meant young people didn’t fear punishment for unconventional behaviorfear punishment for unconventional behavior


• Youth culture and counterculture fused Youth culture and counterculture fused together in the 1960stogether in the 1960s– Student protestors embraced romanticism and Student protestors embraced romanticism and

revolutionary idealism and condemned materialism revolutionary idealism and condemned materialism and imperialism and imperialism • The Vietnam War – many students believed it to be immoral The Vietnam War – many students believed it to be immoral

war, and student opposition intensified as the war went onwar, and student opposition intensified as the war went on• In Western Europe, students also demonstrated In Western Europe, students also demonstrated

against problems with higher educationagainst problems with higher education– The rapid expansion of higher education after WWII The rapid expansion of higher education after WWII

caused problems of overcrowding and fierce caused problems of overcrowding and fierce competition for gradescompetition for grades

– Many students felt that they were not getting the Many students felt that they were not getting the kind of education they needed and that university kind of education they needed and that university reforms were necessaryreforms were necessary


• May 1968May 1968– The tensions within the university system exploded The tensions within the university system exploded

in the late 1960s and early 1970s, when European in the late 1960s and early 1970s, when European university students challenged both their university students challenged both their universities and their governmentsuniversities and their governments

– The revolt with the most far-reaching consequences The revolt with the most far-reaching consequences was the one that occurred in France in 1968was the one that occurred in France in 1968• Students occupied buildings which led to violent clashes Students occupied buildings which led to violent clashes

with the policewith the police• Students demanded to have a say in the running of their Students demanded to have a say in the running of their

schoolsschools• Appealed to industrial workers for help; in May 1968 the Appealed to industrial workers for help; in May 1968 the

workers responded with spontaneous strike across Franceworkers responded with spontaneous strike across France


• De Gaulle’s responseDe Gaulle’s response– Moved troops to Paris and called for Moved troops to Paris and called for

new electionsnew elections– Fearful of a revolution and communist Fearful of a revolution and communist

takeover, the masses of France voted in takeover, the masses of France voted in favor of de Gaulle’s partyfavor of de Gaulle’s party

– Workers ended the strike and the revolt Workers ended the strike and the revolt collapsedcollapsed

– De Gaulle resigned within the yearDe Gaulle resigned within the year

The United States and The United States and VietnamVietnam

• US involvement in Vietnam was driven by the Cold US involvement in Vietnam was driven by the Cold War and the ideology of containmentWar and the ideology of containment

• Toward the beginning of the 1950s, efforts to Toward the beginning of the 1950s, efforts to contain communism shifted to Asiacontain communism shifted to Asia– The Korean War (1950-1953) ended in a stalemate and the The Korean War (1950-1953) ended in a stalemate and the

establishing the states of North and South Koreaestablishing the states of North and South Korea– After the French defeat in Vietnam in 1954, Eisenhower After the French defeat in Vietnam in 1954, Eisenhower

supported South Vietnam with military aid and Kennedy supported South Vietnam with military aid and Kennedy greatly increased the number of military advisorsgreatly increased the number of military advisors

– In 1964, Johnson greatly expanded the role of America in In 1964, Johnson greatly expanded the role of America in the Vietnam conflict, hoping to escalate the war but not to the Vietnam conflict, hoping to escalate the war but not to the point it alarmed the Communist blocthe point it alarmed the Communist bloc

• South Vietnam received military aid, American forces in South Vietnam received military aid, American forces in Vietnam reached a half million men, and the US heavily Vietnam reached a half million men, and the US heavily bombed Vietnambombed Vietnam

• The US strategy backfired, and divided The US strategy backfired, and divided the nationthe nation– Nightly television brought the war into Nightly television brought the war into

people’s homespeople’s homes– Anti-war movement developed on college Anti-war movement developed on college

campuses and joined forces with socialists, campuses and joined forces with socialists, New Left intellectuals, and pacifists to protest New Left intellectuals, and pacifists to protest the warthe war

– The Tet Offensive (Jan. 1968), while The Tet Offensive (Jan. 1968), while technically a failure for the Vietcong, technically a failure for the Vietcong, convinced many that a quick victory was convinced many that a quick victory was nowhere in sightnowhere in sight



• Richard Nixon, elected in 1968, attempted Richard Nixon, elected in 1968, attempted to disengage America from Vietnamto disengage America from Vietnam– Nixon increased bombardment while pursuing Nixon increased bombardment while pursuing

peace talks with North Vietnampeace talks with North Vietnam– Suspended the draftSuspended the draft– Cut American forces from 550,000 to 24,000 Cut American forces from 550,000 to 24,000

in the next four yearsin the next four years– Journeyed to China in 1972 and reached a Journeyed to China in 1972 and reached a

limited reconciliation limited reconciliation • Elected again in 1972, Nixon reached a Elected again in 1972, Nixon reached a

peace agreement with N. Vietnampeace agreement with N. Vietnam


• Watergate undermined Nixon’s Watergate undermined Nixon’s successes successes – Forced to resign in 1974Forced to resign in 1974– Caused a major shift of power away from Caused a major shift of power away from

the Presidency to Congress in foreign affairsthe Presidency to Congress in foreign affairs• Congress refused a military response to the Congress refused a military response to the

invasion of South Vietnam by the North in 1974invasion of South Vietnam by the North in 1974– Vietnam was reunited as harsh dictorial stateVietnam was reunited as harsh dictorial state

• Left America divided and uncertain about its role Left America divided and uncertain about its role in world affairsin world affairs

Détente or Cold War?Détente or Cold War?• Détente: the progressive relaxation of cold war Détente: the progressive relaxation of cold war

tensionstensions• West Germany took the lead in creating genuine West Germany took the lead in creating genuine

peace in Europe, led by Chancellor Willy Brandt peace in Europe, led by Chancellor Willy Brandt (1913-1992)(1913-1992)– Became Chancellor in 1969Became Chancellor in 1969– Reconciled with PolandReconciled with Poland– Negotiated treaties with the Soviet Union, Poland, and Negotiated treaties with the Soviet Union, Poland, and

Czechoslovakia that formally accepted existing state Czechoslovakia that formally accepted existing state boundaries in return for a mutual renunciation of forceboundaries in return for a mutual renunciation of force

– Entered into direct relations with East GermanyEntered into direct relations with East Germany

Détente or Cold War?Détente or Cold War?• High point of détente was the Helsinki High point of détente was the Helsinki

Conference in 1975Conference in 1975– Signed by Canada, the US, and all European Signed by Canada, the US, and all European

nations except Albanianations except Albania– Agreed that Europe’s existing political boundaries Agreed that Europe’s existing political boundaries

could not be changed by force and accepted could not be changed by force and accepted numerous provisions on human rights and political numerous provisions on human rights and political freedomsfreedoms

– Confidence in the agreement eroded as the Soviet Confidence in the agreement eroded as the Soviet Union continued to ignore the human rights Union continued to ignore the human rights provisions and East-West competition remained provisions and East-West competition remained outside of Europeoutside of Europe

Détente or Cold War?Détente or Cold War?• Soviet invasion of Afghanistan in 1979 further flamed Soviet invasion of Afghanistan in 1979 further flamed

fears that the oil-rich states of the Middle East might fears that the oil-rich states of the Middle East might be nextbe next– During Jimmy Carter’s presidency, the Atlantic alliance was During Jimmy Carter’s presidency, the Atlantic alliance was

not able to act together and decisively against the Soviet not able to act together and decisively against the Soviet UnionUnion

– They again failed to act when the Solidarity movement arose They again failed to act when the Solidarity movement arose in Polandin Poland

• The swing toward conservatism in the 1980s brought The swing toward conservatism in the 1980s brought Ronald Reagan, Margaret Thatcher, and Helmut Ronald Reagan, Margaret Thatcher, and Helmut Kohl to office in the US, Britain, and W. Germany Kohl to office in the US, Britain, and W. Germany – Thatcher and Reagan were forceful advocates for a stronger Thatcher and Reagan were forceful advocates for a stronger

Atlantic alliance, and the pro-American Kohl effectively co-Atlantic alliance, and the pro-American Kohl effectively co-coordinated military and political policy with the UScoordinated military and political policy with the US

The Troubled EconomyThe Troubled Economy• On top of political and social changes and On top of political and social changes and

instability, the economic crisis of the early instability, the economic crisis of the early 1970s brought the most serious challenges 1970s brought the most serious challenges to the average personto the average person– The postwar monetary system was based on the The postwar monetary system was based on the

American dollarAmerican dollar– Due to the billions sent overseas by the American Due to the billions sent overseas by the American

government because of wars and foreign aid, the government because of wars and foreign aid, the US had only $11 billion worth of gold, compared US had only $11 billion worth of gold, compared to Europe, which had $50 billionto Europe, which had $50 billion

– When people rushed to exchange their dollars for When people rushed to exchange their dollars for gold, Nixon halted the sale of American goldgold, Nixon halted the sale of American gold

– The value of the dollar dropped sharply, causing The value of the dollar dropped sharply, causing inflation world-wideinflation world-wide

The Troubled EconomyThe Troubled Economy• Even more damaging to the economy was the Even more damaging to the economy was the

dramatic reversal in the price and availability of dramatic reversal in the price and availability of energyenergy– The postwar boom had been fueled by cheap oil from The postwar boom had been fueled by cheap oil from

the Middle East, especially in Western Europethe Middle East, especially in Western Europe– By 1971, the Organization of Petroleum Exporting By 1971, the Organization of Petroleum Exporting

Countries (OPEC) decided to reverse the trend of Countries (OPEC) decided to reverse the trend of declining oil prices by presenting a united front against declining oil prices by presenting a united front against oil companiesoil companies

– During the fourth Arab-Israeli war in October 1973, During the fourth Arab-Israeli war in October 1973, OPEC declared an embargo on oil shipments to the US, OPEC declared an embargo on oil shipments to the US, causing the price of crude oil to quadruple causing the price of crude oil to quadruple

– The US was all but immobilized by Watergate, and the The US was all but immobilized by Watergate, and the Soviet Union profited as an oil exporterSoviet Union profited as an oil exporter

The Troubled EconomyThe Troubled Economy• Combined with the upheavals in the Combined with the upheavals in the

international monetary system, the oil shock international monetary system, the oil shock plunged the world into the worst economic plunged the world into the worst economic decline since the 1930sdecline since the 1930s– Energy-intensive industries that had once led the Energy-intensive industries that had once led the

economy forward now dragged it down, and economy forward now dragged it down, and unemployment rose as standards of living droppedunemployment rose as standards of living dropped

– The 1979 revolution in Iran created another oil The 1979 revolution in Iran created another oil shock as oil production in the country collapsed, shock as oil production in the country collapsed, causing unemployment and inflation to rise causing unemployment and inflation to rise dramaticallydramatically

The Troubled EconomyThe Troubled Economy• Throughout the ’70s and ’80s, observers Throughout the ’70s and ’80s, observers

worried that the Common Market would worried that the Common Market would collapse and halt steps to European unitycollapse and halt steps to European unity

• However, the European Economic However, the European Economic Community continued to attract new Community continued to attract new membersmembers– 1973 – Denmark, Britain and Iceland1973 – Denmark, Britain and Iceland– 1981 – Greece1981 – Greece– 1986 – Spain and Portugal1986 – Spain and Portugal

• The EEC also began cooperating more The EEC also began cooperating more closely on international undertakingsclosely on international undertakings

Society in a Time of Society in a Time of Economic UncertaintyEconomic Uncertainty

• The most pervasive consequences of the The most pervasive consequences of the economic stagnation in the 1970s and early economic stagnation in the 1970s and early ’80s were psychological, as optimism and ’80s were psychological, as optimism and romanticism gave way to pessimism and romanticism gave way to pessimism and realismrealism

• On the whole, however, the welfare system On the whole, however, the welfare system prevented mass suffering and degradation prevented mass suffering and degradation – The responsive, socially concerned national The responsive, socially concerned national

state undoubtedly contributed to the state undoubtedly contributed to the preservation of political stability and democracypreservation of political stability and democracy


• The government’s response to social The government’s response to social needs explains the sharp increase in needs explains the sharp increase in total government spending in most total government spending in most countries during this timecountries during this time– People in general were willing to see their People in general were willing to see their

governments spend more, but not raise taxesgovernments spend more, but not raise taxes– Led to the rapid growth of budget deficits, Led to the rapid growth of budget deficits,

national debts, and inflationnational debts, and inflation– Western governments had to introduce Western governments had to introduce

austerity measures to slow down the growth austerity measures to slow down the growth of public spendingof public spending


• Scientific projects were often singled Scientific projects were often singled out for cuts in government spendingout for cuts in government spending

• These reductions helped spur the These reductions helped spur the growth of the computer revolutiongrowth of the computer revolution– This revolution thrived on the diffusion This revolution thrived on the diffusion

of ever cheaper computational and of ever cheaper computational and informational capacity to small research informational capacity to small research groups groups


• Individuals felt the impact of austerity early Individuals felt the impact of austerity early and in both Europe and North America the and in both Europe and North America the result was a leaner, tougher lifestyleresult was a leaner, tougher lifestyle– People paid more attention to health, nutrition, and People paid more attention to health, nutrition, and

exerciseexercise– Economic troubles strengthened existing family Economic troubles strengthened existing family

trends:trends:• Both men and women in Western countries postponed Both men and women in Western countries postponed

marriage until they had stable careersmarriage until they had stable careers• More women entered or remained in the workforce after More women entered or remained in the workforce after

marriage; poor and middle-class wives had to work outside marriage; poor and middle-class wives had to work outside the home out of necessitythe home out of necessity

• Students of the 1980s were serious and Students of the 1980s were serious and practical because of the fear of unemployment practical because of the fear of unemployment or underemploymentor underemployment

The Changing Lives of The Changing Lives of WomenWomen

• The growing emancipation of women in Europe and The growing emancipation of women in Europe and North America is one of the significant changes of North America is one of the significant changes of the entire cold war erathe entire cold war era

• The struggle for women’s rights goes back to the The struggle for women’s rights goes back to the French Revolution, but it wasn’t until the latter half French Revolution, but it wasn’t until the latter half of the 19of the 19thth century did the first wave of organized century did the first wave of organized women’s movements win some rightswomen’s movements win some rights

• Two important factors led to the rise of a strong and Two important factors led to the rise of a strong and effective women’s movement:effective women’s movement:– Long-term changes in motherhood and work outside the Long-term changes in motherhood and work outside the

homehome– A new wave of feminist thinkers and organizers demanded A new wave of feminist thinkers and organizers demanded

gender equality and mobilized a militant women’s gender equality and mobilized a militant women’s movementmovement

Motherhood and Work Motherhood and Work Outside the HomeOutside the Home

• Before the Industrial Revolution, most men Before the Industrial Revolution, most men and women married late or not at alland women married late or not at all

• With the growth of industry and urban With the growth of industry and urban society, people began to marry earlier and society, people began to marry earlier and as industrial development resulted in as industrial development resulted in higher standards of living, more children higher standards of living, more children lived to adulthoodlived to adulthood

• This trend continued in the 20This trend continued in the 20thth century; in century; in the 1950s and ’60s, women in the West the 1950s and ’60s, women in the West married early and had children quicklymarried early and had children quickly

Motherhood and Work Motherhood and Work Outside the HomeOutside the Home

• Early marriage, early childbearing, and Early marriage, early childbearing, and small families meant that pregnancy and small families meant that pregnancy and childbearing occupied a much smaller part childbearing occupied a much smaller part of a woman’s life of a woman’s life – Despite this, opportunities to work outside the Despite this, opportunities to work outside the

home for women were very limitedhome for women were very limited– At the same time, women were participating in At the same time, women were participating in

the post-war education revolution, and despite the post-war education revolution, and despite limited positions there was a sharp rise in the limited positions there was a sharp rise in the number of married women in full- or part- time number of married women in full- or part- time positionspositions

The Woman’s MovementThe Woman’s Movement• The 1970s saw the birth of a grassroots, The 1970s saw the birth of a grassroots,

broad-based women’s movement devoted to broad-based women’s movement devoted to promoting the interests of womenpromoting the interests of women

• Three basic reasons for this development:Three basic reasons for this development:– Ongoing changes in paid work and motherhoodOngoing changes in paid work and motherhood– A new generation of feminist intellectuals created A new generation of feminist intellectuals created

powerful critiques of gender relationspowerful critiques of gender relations– Following the example of the civil rights Following the example of the civil rights

movement and student protests, dissatisfied movement and student protests, dissatisfied women realized they had to band together to women realized they had to band together to influence politicsinfluence politics

The Woman’s MovementThe Woman’s Movement• Simone Beauvoir created the first and one Simone Beauvoir created the first and one

of the most influential works produced by of the most influential works produced by second-wave feminism, second-wave feminism, The Second SexThe Second Sex (1949)(1949)– Argued that women were in essence free, but Argued that women were in essence free, but

that they had almost always been trapped by that they had almost always been trapped by inflexible and limiting conditions inflexible and limiting conditions

– Only by taking action and through self-Only by taking action and through self-assertive creativity could a woman escape the assertive creativity could a woman escape the role of the inferior “other” that men had role of the inferior “other” that men had constructedconstructed

The Woman’s MovementThe Woman’s Movement• Betty Friedan reopened serious discussion of Betty Friedan reopened serious discussion of

women’s issues in the US through women’s issues in the US through The Feminine The Feminine MystiqueMystique (1963) (1963)– Calling it “the problem that has no name”, she Calling it “the problem that has no name”, she

concludes that many educated women were extremely concludes that many educated women were extremely dissatisfied because they were not allowed to become dissatisfied because they were not allowed to become mature adults and human beingsmature adults and human beings

– Instead, they were expected to conform and devote Instead, they were expected to conform and devote their lives to their husbands and childrentheir lives to their husbands and children

• Friedan founded the National Organization for Friedan founded the National Organization for Women (NOW) in 1966 to press for women’s Women (NOW) in 1966 to press for women’s rightsrights

The Women’s MovementThe Women’s Movement• The movement generally shared a common The movement generally shared a common

strategy of entering politics and changing laws strategy of entering politics and changing laws regarding womenregarding women– Advocated for laws against discrimination in the Advocated for laws against discrimination in the

workplace, equal pay, and maternity leaveworkplace, equal pay, and maternity leave– Concentrated on family questions like the right to Concentrated on family questions like the right to

divorce, legalize abortion, the needs of single parents, divorce, legalize abortion, the needs of single parents, and protection from rape and physical violenceand protection from rape and physical violence

• The movement became more diffuse in the 1980s The movement became more diffuse in the 1980s and early ’90s, partially a victim of its own and early ’90s, partially a victim of its own success and the rise of antifeminist oppositionsuccess and the rise of antifeminist opposition

• Women’s movement inspired other minority Women’s movement inspired other minority groups to form their own political movements groups to form their own political movements

Documents

Postwar Political and Social Changes