1960's research

Britain in the 1960's was an interesting place to be, seeing great times of affluence, social change and the advent of great historical leaps, yet plagued toward its end my affairs, socio-political upheaval and an economic downfall that eventually led to the devaluation of the pound in 1967.

However, that is not to devalue the great changes that happened during this decade in history. Having come out of the rationing of food for just over 5 years and with the departure of Churchill, Britain was beginning to enjoy a period of great affluence. More and more people could afford luxuries such as TVs, cars, fridges and much more. As such, the socio-political climate began to change as well.

Not only was the technology increasing in Britain so was its people. People became more invested in tv shows, like Coronation street which premiered in 1960. Fashion was also become much more apparent with women donning shorter hair styles and more provocative dress wear.

It also influenced a new "teenager" culture, with young people becoming more and more frustrated with their rights and their identity. With the advent of the Beatles, and similar rock-and-roll music styles coming to the fore front, teenagers began to feel like they were more important and had an identity other than what their parents wanted for them. Students began to protest the Vietnam war, staged sit-ins in universities to create more choices for their futures and banded together under the names of mods and rockers. They began to feel a sense of freedom that had not been seen before.

However the 60's was not all affluence and technological advances. Some of its change was much more dramatic than a few teenagers protesting. The 60's also marked the advent of a much more focused feminist movement, trying to bring about a change in the way they could and should be employed.

Change was also coming for people of ethnic backgrounds, particularly black people. 

With the advent of the mods and rockers, came a resurgence of animosity toward people of ethnic backgrounds, causing several murders injuries and many black people to lose their homes. They began to protest against these atrocities, hoping that someday soon they could live in a Britain where they felt safe and wanted.