2. Science and Technology
• Government funded research projects created
a new model for scientific research
– Complex projects required teams, huge labs, and
expensive equipment
• Space Race: 1969 US are first to land a man on
the moon
• New alliance between science and technology
– Some argued that technology caused more harm
than good
3. Population issues
• 1999 the UN announced the world population
had reached 6 billion people
• Wealthy nations have declining populations
– Larger percentage of the population is reaching
retirement
• The most populous nations are developing
nations
– US is expected to be the only wealthy nation with
a growing population
4. Changes in Family life
• 1960-70’s women’s movement emerged in the
U.S. and spread to Europe
– More women working, getting married later, putting
careers and education first led to population decline
• Equal Pay Act passed ‘63- required women to be
paid the same as men for the same job
• Roe v. Wade 1973 legalized abortion
• Still today women make on average less than
men and are forced to do 2 jobs
5. The AIDS Crisis
• AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome)
– Discovered in 1981
• Most early patients were homosexual men
– Caused a lot of discrimination
• Awareness and tolerance were promoted in
1980-90’s
– Ervin (Magic) Johnson’s diagnosis helped people
see it could strike anyone
6. Movies and Music
• Lord of the Rings movies were an international
venture and was released in 28 countries
simultaneously
– Globalization of mass culture
• 1950’s- the birth of Rock n’ Roll
– Spread American culture throughout the world
• Cultural imperialism: people were afraid
American entertainment was weakening their
own language and culture
7. Television and Sports
• TV creates a sense that Americans and
Europeans share a culture
– They watch our shows with dubbed language
• Televised sports and the Olympic Games make
sports international
– Sports are also a political force (ex boycotting the
Moscow Olympics because of the Cold War)
8. National Religious Trends
• Immigration to Europe after WWII led to
greater religious diversity
– Previously a predominantly Christian culture
• In the U.S. the Protestant movement has
gained strength
• Brings about the question: what role should
religion play in a democracy?
9. Nationalism and Regional Identity
• Minority groups try to maintain their culture
and some seek independence
• Brittany, France throws a festival, Fest Noz,
every year to celebrate their Celtic culture
• Quebec Canada has tried to secede for years
• Clashes between the Catholic Irish Republic
and Protestant Northern Ireland
– “Bloody Sunday” January, 1972
