An Important Decade: The 1960s in Europe and the World
The Cold War 1945–1991
The 1960s 1960–1970
30 LO: 3.13
European Integration 1945– present day
The 1960s was a decade of profound change in the world. As we have seen in other chapters, it was the decade when tensions between the superpowers almost plunged the world into World War III, the decade that saw Europe move closer together, the decade that transformed the Republic of Ireland while violence was breaking out in the North. But it was also the decade that saw us walk on the moon, when people around the world took to the streets to demand their equal rights and when youth culture was born.
The 1960s Type of source
Primary
WORKING WITH THE EVIDENCE! —————————————
Category Audiovisual
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Television was in widespread use across the world by the mid-1950s, so the key moments of change in the 1960s were recorded by TV news. Colour TV was also introduced around the world in the 1960s, so those key events were the fi rst to be seen in full colour
Other media, like advertisements, recorded music performances and fi lms, also teach us about the social changes that occurred in that decade
Primary Written Newspapers carried detailed coverage of the events and crises of the 1960s
Magazines aimed at young people, women or minority groups also help us understand the cultural and social change that occurred in the 1960s
How do these two newspapers differ in their reporting of the fi rst man in space? Can you suggest why this might be?
