apush_intro

During the video, the speaker discusses the changes and continuities between the 1950s and 1960s that shaped U.S. society. The Cold War between the U.S. and the Soviets, which emerged after World War II, caused tensions and fears of communist takeover. This led to infrastructure changes and weapons development, with the government spending on atomic development and math and science education. The post-war economic prosperity allowed for consumer expansion, and the time period saw a rise in GDP and low unemployment. Despite criticism for lack of social acceptance and success in social justice initiatives, the 1950s to 1960s were significant in shaping the American identity through social changes related to federal dominance, civil rights, consumer culture, political moderatism, and equity movements. What's up, Mr. Zucker? Welcome back to another AP U.S. History video. In this video, myself and my two colleagues will be discussing the various changes and continuities between the 1950s and 1960s that helped shape U.S. society as we know it today. Jumping right into the context, we must discuss the Cold War, a product of World War II. As the U.S. and the Soviets were the two powers that came out of the war successfully. Despite their alliance during the war, secrets and tensions began to separate the two, and ideologies conflicted. These tensions led to a widespread fear of communist takeover and led to infrastructure changes along with weapons development. This conflict became an opportunity for the federal government to spend on atomic development, funding math and science education for Americans. Additionally, the widespread economic prosperity gained from World War II allowed for consumers expanding in the U.S. as the GDP increased and unemployment reached an all-time low. All that context has led us to our thesis. Despite critical attitudes towards the time period attributed to a lack of diverse social acceptance and lack of total success in social justice initiatives, the 1950s to 1960s time period was significant in creating an overall American identity and its radical social changes centered around fears of federal dominance, civil rights, consumeristic culture, political moderatism, and equity movements.