The 1960s

Below are some of the main events that occurred during the 1960s:


Young people:

• The first generation free from conscription.
• Young people were finally a bit more of a voice and freedom.

Music:

• Rock and roll began having an effect on Britain in the 1950s however it wasn't until the 1960s that groups like The Beatles came about.
• These bands were known as 'British Invasion' groups.

Drugs:

• Recreational drugs became more commonly used towards the end of the decade.
• Many people is show business used drugs and many young people felt encouraged to follow their idols.

War and protests:

• Although Britain wasn't directly involved in the Vietnam war some British musicians e.g. John Lennon bought it to the attention of British people through protests against the conflict.
• Protesting against war became a large aspect of the 'hippie movement'.

Politics:

• People started to challenge and question authority more.
• The Profumo affair- The secretary for war John Profumo had an affair with a woman who was also seeing a 'Russian military attaché'.
• Profumo denied this but later admitted that he had lied to the House of Commons and resigned.
• This changed the relationship between the government and press forever.

Fashion:

• The mini skirt became popular in the 1960s reflecting the social changes of the decade.
• The mini skirt was designed for women to be able to 'run and jump'.
• Mary Quant became famous for popularising the mini skirt. Her fashion used simple geometric shapes and colours which gave women a new kind of femininity.   
• Fashion became more playful and youthful, the clothes women wore would have seemed outrageous ten years before.

Women's rights:

• Feminism began to be more influential.
• More jobs became available to women.
• The contraceptive pill was legalised in 1967. This gave women more control over their future.
• The Women's Liberty movement was in its infancy when in 1968 at a Ford Factory in Dagenham, 850 women went on strike to protest for equal pay.
• This action resulted in the passing of the Equal Pay Act of 1970.
• In 1968 Barbara Castle became the first and only woman to be appointed First Secretary of State giving women a voice in society.    

Technological advancements:

• The increase of employment in factories and increase in money allowed people to spend more money on leisure activities.
• Colour television and pocket transistor radios allowed people to spend their free time listening to music and watching TV.
• Every teenager owned a transistor radio which allowed them to listen to music all the time.
• The microwave was able to shorten the time women spent in the kitchen, this allowed them to spend more time doing what they wanted rather than being housewives.
• At the end of the decade in 1969 Neil Armstrong became the first man on the moon.