1960s1970

The period from 1960 to 1970, commonly treated as the 1960s and the early 1970s, was marked by rapid social change, geopolitical realignments, and technological innovation.

In politics and international relations, decolonization gathered pace as many colonies achieved independence in Africa and Asia, reshaping world power structures. The Cold War framework persisted, punctuated by crises and regional conflicts, including the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962 and the Vietnam War, whose course and public perception shifted during the late 1960s. The Tet Offensive of 1968 intensified domestic opposition to the war in the United States.

Social movements challenged established hierarchies. Civil rights legislation in the United States culminated in the mid-1960s, with the Civil Rights Act (1964) and the Voting Rights Act (1965). The era also saw the rise of second-wave feminism, new approaches to sexuality and reproductive rights, student activism, and protests against war and imperialism worldwide.

Science and technology advanced rapidly. The space program achieved a major milestone with Apollo 11 and the moon landing in 1969. In computing, early networks and research into packet switching laid groundwork for ARPANET beginning in 1969, signaling the birth of the modern Internet era.

Culture and economy reflected shifting tastes and expanding globalization. The late 1960s produced influential music, art, and literature movements, and large-scale cultural events such as Woodstock in 1969. Environmental awareness grew, culminating in the first Earth Day in 1970, while economies in many regions experienced growth but also rising inflation and structural changes.

The decades ended with ongoing tension and transition, setting patterns that shaped the 1970s across politics, technology, and culture.