Question

Trace the change over time for America, for one of the following, the economy, politics, culture, sports, foreign relations, for either the 1960's, the 1970's, the 1980's or the 1990's?

Answer 1

Change of Economy of America in 1960s

The 1950s in America are often described as a time of smugness. By contrast, President John F. Kennedy ushered in a more activist decade when, during his 1960 presidential campaign, he said he would ask Americans to meet the challenges of the "New Frontier." Many of Kennedy's more far-reaching economic proposals were not enacted.

Another of Kennedy's goals involved accelerating the U.S. space exploration program so that it would surpass Soviet achievements in the time of the cold war. Increase in federal spending, resulting from the expanded space program, the escalation of America's role in the Vietnam War and other new or enlarged federal programs contributed to prosperity for much of the decade.

Many new social welfare programs were created during the administration of Kennedy's successor, President Lyndon B. Johnson. He launched a "war on poverty" and succeeded in creating programs to provide medical assistance to the poor and elderly as well as other initiatives.

The 1960s were a period in which the American people began to express a growing concern about the natural and human environment, from the need to preserve natural lands to avoiding the dangers of air and water pollution. The federal government enacted many regulations to protect the quality of life.

But by the end of the 1960s, economic prosperity was being eroded by persistent inflation. The 1973-1974 Arab oil embargo pushed prices rapidly higher and created shortages throughout the United States. Even after the embargo ended, prices stayed high, fueling inflation and eventually causing rising rates of unemployment. The rest of the decade was characterized by spiraling inflation, increased federal budget deficits, intensified foreign competition, high unemployment and stagnant demand.

By the end of the 1960s, the economy was in a very different state than it was at the beginning of the decade. Growth slowed down, inflation was rising, and the dollar was in a poor condition. But, there were positive changes in the economy giving some hope. By that time the United States had obtained a greater access to trade with foreign nations. Developments in computers contributed to the increasingly widespread use of computerized technology in business. Women and minorities were increasingly becoming a part of important economic activities. Poverty had been reduced to a great extent. Laws to protect consumers and the environment from unsafe business practices were established. The American economy optimistically enetered into the second half of the century though it was not without problems.