How appropriate is the term 'Cultural Revolution' to describe the events of 'the long sixties' (c. 1958 - c. 1974)? Discuss with reference to three of the disciplines represented in block 6: History, History of Science and Religious Studies.

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How appropriate is the term ‘Cultural Revolution’ to describe the events of ‘the long sixties’ (c. 1958 – c. 1974)? Discuss with reference to three of the disciplines represented in block 6: History, History of Science and Religious Studies.

The sixties did not witness a political or economic revolution, but there were changes in ‘everyday’ life, which is why the term ‘Cultural Revolution’ seems appropriate when using the word ‘culture’ to mean a ‘network, or totality of attitudes, values and practices of a particular group of human beings.’ (The Sixties, Block 7, page 23/4) The conceived ‘mainstream’ ideas and beliefs were certainly challenged and modified in many areas during the ‘long sixties’. Material conditions, sexual behaviour, family and race relationships, attitudes to authority and ideas and values were targeted by a very effective ‘counter-culture’. I also feel it’s important to clarify the fact that when discussing the ‘Cultural Revolution’ I am restricting myself to the events that happened largely in America and Western Europe.

HISTORY

Historically speaking I feel it is necessary to clarify the terms used. Though I use the labels ‘mainstream’ and ‘counter-culture’, this in no way implies that the values held by each were polar opposites. To the contrary, many aspects of the ‘counter-culture’ were a natural progression or a tangent of those aspects of the ‘mainstream’ culture. Many aspects of the mainstream culture allowed the counter-culture to voice their opinions, such as advancements in science, religious beliefs and popular music. The consumerism aspect of the mainstream culture allowed new brands of uninhibited clothing to be marketed to adolescents and young people, though not to the taste of some. ‘I didn’t believe the conservative Middle West would be caught dead in such gear, I must be wrong’ wrote one daughter (in her thirties) to her parents in 1969. (A17, Resource Book 4, page 33)

Movements and shifts of cultural identity reached a climatic stage in the ‘long sixties’. In the period categorised as The Golden Age by Hobsbawn (The Sixties, Block 7, page 32) a challenge was offered to the accepted mainstream values and ideas. In terms of periodization, it seems appropriate that ‘the sixties’ should mark an era in its own right (1958 – 1974) considering the sheer enormity of cultural change. In the period before the long sixties there was a rigid social hierarchy, repressed attitudes to sexual relations, subordination of women to men, respect for authority, prevalence of racism and a strict formalism. (The Sixties, Block 7, page 24)  This is not an exhaustive list but with factors such as the post-war affluence and the baby boom following the war, a clear counter-culture emerged which contested the values held for decades.  

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The reason for this shift does not have a clear ‘cause and effect’ explanation. There were many long-term causes and also situational causes. These events accumulated and converged and gained enough momentum prior to and including the sixties to classify a ‘Cultural Revolution’. In America a more ‘progressive’ government was at the reigns with Kennedy and Johnson, both of who supported some of the counter-culture’s assertions such as instigating anti-poverty and anti-racist programmes. However, they also provoked a bitter revolt for the Vietnam War. A breaking out of frustration in the post-war years saw a rise in youth culture. Vast ...

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