Why the beatles
The legacy of the sixties has been definitely very important for the development of society and culture in what is commonly called ‘civilized countries,’ The sixties were in many respects revolutionary. The changes affected not only the civilized countries (especially Europe and the USA) but also less developed states (in Africa and South America). Let us, however, concentrate on the former.
As has been said, the late fifties and the sixties brought about changes in society that were very widespread geographically, but what is even more important and what distinguishes the sixties from other decades is the fact that these changes were also widespread demographically – they had an influence on a much wider age spectrum than in any previous decade (MACDONALD 7) – and touched almost every field (from politics to popular culture). But why was it so? Why did the sixties of all decades have such a great impact on people of all backgrounds? Obviously, there are many reasons for this, but one seems to be especially significant. It is what is called the ‘affluent society’ (MCGUIGAN 92, MARWICK 145). Indeed, after the forties marked by World War II and the fifties still very much affected by the economic consequences of this biggest armed conflict in history, the sixties were the first decade in which people appeared to be settled with the war, at least economically if not mentally (see “die 68er1” in Germany). MARWICK’s words about Britain more or less reflect the situation all over Europe: “New production techniques brought down the price of consumer goods while making it possible to pay higher wages” It was no longer necessary to work day in and day out to survive. The majority of people had a place to live, had clothes to wear and food to eat, which means they had all vital things they needed to feel secure. But wages and salaries were increasing and people started to want more than to survive – they wanted to have fun. The demand for entertainment rose, because
As has been said, the late fifties and the sixties brought about changes in society that were very widespread geographically, but what is even more important and what distinguishes the sixties from other decades is the fact that these changes were also widespread demographically – they had an influence on a much wider age spectrum than in any previous decade (MACDONALD 7) – and touched almost every field (from politics to popular culture). But why was it so? Why did the sixties of all decades have such a great impact on people of all backgrounds? Obviously, there are many reasons for this, but one seems to be especially significant. It is what is called the ‘affluent society’ (MCGUIGAN 92, MARWICK 145). Indeed, after the forties marked by World War II and the fifties still very much affected by the economic consequences of this biggest armed conflict in history, the sixties were the first decade in which people appeared to be settled with the war, at least economically if not mentally (see “die 68er1” in Germany). MARWICK’s words about Britain more or less reflect the situation all over Europe: “New production techniques brought down the price of consumer goods while making it possible to pay higher wages” It was no longer necessary to work day in and day out to survive. The majority of people had a place to live, had clothes to wear and food to eat, which means they had all vital things they needed to feel secure. But wages and salaries were increasing and people started to want more than to survive – they wanted to have fun. The demand for entertainment rose, because