1950s1970s

The period commonly described as the 1950s through the 1970s, or the 1950s–1970s, spans roughly three decades of postwar recovery, Cold War rivalries, and rapid social and technological change. In the 1950s, many Western economies experienced continued growth and suburbanization; consumer culture and television became dominant, while decolonization began to reshape global politics. The Korean War and the early stages of the Cold War framed international relations, and the launch of Sputnik in 1957 marked the beginning of the space age.

In the 1960s, civil rights movements and anti-colonial struggles reshaped political boundaries and social norms. The United States witnessed landmark civil rights legislation, and global anti-war sentiment grew with conflicts such as the Vietnam War. Space exploration continued with crewed missions, culminating in the Apollo 11 Moon landing in 1969. Cultural transformations included new music, youth culture, and evolving attitudes toward gender and sexuality, alongside rapid media expansion and scientific advances.

The 1970s saw economic shocks, including oil prices and inflation, prompting policy changes and reforms in many countries. Environmental awareness rose, with the first Earth Day in 1970. The détente between the United States and the Soviet Union and arms control efforts, such as the SALT talks, marked shifts in Cold War dynamics. Technological advances accelerated in computing and communications, while decolonization continued globally, contributing to a shifting international order.