In defiance of all pessimistic forecasts, Western Europe quickly recovered from the damages of the war and entered onto the path of uninterrupted economic growth. The prosperity ushered by a combination of vigorous public spending and confident private enterprise made one quickly forget the beatific days of the Belle Epoque displaced, as it were, by new realities and new expectations. At the center of the post-war Europe stood then the benevolent welfare state charged to attend to the needs of the most vulnerable members lest they succumb to the penury devoid of honor and dignity (at least in theory). A counterpart of the welfare state, new consumer societies appeared to have at last exiled ideology from the political discourse to make the day-to-day living into the crucible of public attention.
This, however, did not salvage Europe from the brewing discontent, which saw itself fledged out in the students' and workers' protests in 1967-1968. The protesters widely differed in their demands, exhibiting nonetheless the unabashed contempt for the society of which they had been a part. Although reaching no profound changes - at least in the short run - the events 1967-68 aroused heated debates regarding the nature of turmoil. Are we dealing with genuine revolution in making, which, given a chance, might have altered the landscape of social life? Was it perhaps but a quasi-theatrical outburst on the otherwise calm surface of ubiquitous smugness - the outburst venting off residual violence accumulated in the years of growth? Do we witness instead a semi-conscious foreboding of hard times ahead, a growing realization of the unsustainability of the current lifestyle and the last-minute effort at finding a suitable alternative?
What do you think?
This, however, did not salvage Europe from the brewing discontent, which saw itself fledged out in the students' and workers' protests in 1967-1968. The protesters widely differed in their demands, exhibiting nonetheless the unabashed contempt for the society of which they had been a part. Although reaching no profound changes - at least in the short run - the events 1967-68 aroused heated debates regarding the nature of turmoil. Are we dealing with genuine revolution in making, which, given a chance, might have altered the landscape of social life? Was it perhaps but a quasi-theatrical outburst on the otherwise calm surface of ubiquitous smugness - the outburst venting off residual violence accumulated in the years of growth? Do we witness instead a semi-conscious foreboding of hard times ahead, a growing realization of the unsustainability of the current lifestyle and the last-minute effort at finding a suitable alternative?
What do you think?
The protests in the U.S. and Western Europe took place against a background of stable economic growth. Despite the fact, that in the USA the unemployment rate decreased to a record low and that GDP increased gradually , people were still dissatisfied. But the main cause of the protest in the USA was war against Vietnam.
ReplyDeleteThe events, which occurred in May, 1968 in France, were the outcome of the ouster of Charles de Gaulle. The students and employees put forward specific policy requirements : Charles de Gaulle’s resignation and the formula 40-60-100(40-hour work week, retirement at 60 years, the minimum salary of 1,000 francs). It is important to clarify, that In the Western Europe students of this time(1967-68), perceived quality of life and social security as habitual The concern of wealth preservation of the older generation caused irritation and disgust among youth.
In 1960th, when France regulated and stabilized it’s economy, the unemployment rate of country decreased, and people’s conditions become better. However, in this period, country was controlled by Charles De Gaulle, who made changes on controlling of government as presidental power control. Nevertheless, in cause of changes of both international and internal manage of country, suffered ones were students and their education. Students were not satisfied by the relation of government to them. They had to keep strict discipline, they were not satisfied by their teachers, by methods that they were tought, and they had no student rights, all these affected for starting revolution. So, in my point of view, students were on the verge of patience , and the revolution that was in 1967 – 1968 happened because of the outburst of their petience accumulated by years.
ReplyDeleteThe world in 1969 was very different from the world in 1967 , I mean 1968 in many ways was a turning point , greatly changed the picture of the world . Night 1968 20 August 21, troops of the five states of the Warsaw Treaty Organization entered the territory of Czechoslovakia to suppress the Prague Spring that no one without distracting from the socialist camp too . But these events was the reaction inside the Soviet Union , there was resistance. In 1968, the events took place in the West , like entirely different character , but it is associated with these . First, there was the Red May in France, and related student unrest in neighboring Germany . In principle, such disturbances were held throughout Europe. Was opposition to the war in Vietnam in United States universities . At the same time took place , although began two years earlier , the Cultural Revolution in China. Would be more accurate to call it anticultural , antiuniversitetskoy . On the meaning of this whole avalanche of events around the world, how they relate to each other as the impact on the development of society , culture . Student unrest , unusual , because they were not organized by any political parties or stable political forces. Initially, the Communists did not really understand - keep these disturbances or not. They went below and were not purely political .
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ReplyDelete1968 was the year of struggles of unsatisfied citizens in France, German and Italy. In Western Europe, women were discriminated, was it the study, family life, job, even the bank accounts. Consequently, they were home isolated. Also the struggle against the government policies became an effect of anti-authoritarianism. There was a scale of the turmoil like a street fighting and attacking buildings, shopping centers in order to show the youthful dissatisfaction. “It would not be unjust” wrote Sunil Khilnani(p75, ch 5, Mazower). So, I think it was a growing realization of the unsustainability of the current lifestyle, because people’s attack shows their real feelings as tiredness and discontent, they couldn’t avoid such circumstances due to the news, new laws and new rulers. Moreover, their patience one day would burst, which also could have shown their displeasure by the struggle.
ReplyDeleteAfter WWII, Western Europe countries had incredible growth and stability.But this growth had reverse side. Countries had significant progress in economy,but in social development countries lagged far behing.Due to population explosion,students had problems with higher education.All these factors lead to widespread dissatisfaction among the population.So, students are the most vulnerable segment of the population came to defend their rights.Another reason, which pushed students to demonstration, was discontent of goverment policy.This phenomeon we can clearly see in France and Germany.In France,with the arrival of Charles de Gaulle,arised new political flow "Demokratur"(Mazower chapter 5,Democracy transformed:Western Europe 1950-1975,page 63)."Demokratur" is combination of democracy and dictatorship.Or,dictatorship under the guise of democracy. While,in Germany continued disagreement which connected to history of Germany before and after WWII.
ReplyDeleteNevertheless,what did inspire students to start demonstration? Problems with education is endless problem.It was,is and will be.In my opinion,causes of students' demonstration is aftermath of crisis in "Enlightenment ". Seemed that in developed country with fast-growing economy,there is no place to dissatisfaction. But discontent took place.European students' protest seemed ridiculous.Irrationality in protest is proof of failure in European policy.
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ReplyDeleteParadoxically, the crisis in May 1968 came amid of decades of unprecedent economic growth. 1968 is characterized not only by a students' protests that shocked the United States, Germany, France, Italy, Japan, Mexico and many other countries. This year was a prelude to the most prolonged and active performance of the international working class in the postwar period. This period of activity lasted seven years, reaching at some point almost revolutionary forms, causing the resignation of governments and leading to the overthrow of dictatorships. In general, this period shocked power of the bourgeoisie. The question arises what reasons have caused strikes in 1968? Despite the fact that the standard of living in France became one of the highest in the world in 1868, several months before May 1968, showed signs of deteriorating economic conditions. The number of unemployed in early 1968 was around 500,000 people and has grown steadily. Among the unemployed were primarily representatives of young people. Factory workers, women and immigrants received the minimum wage. At the same time, real wages began to decline, and workers began to worry about the conditions of their labor. In addition to all, in 1967-1968 the government returned to a discussion of tightening selection in higher education, which lead to students` protests.
ReplyDeleteLooking to the past, it is recognizable that people were on the path of enlightened period. Actually, education became more available than it was before, and the number of new schools and universities was much higher to the early 1960s in comparing with past years. More technical universities appeared, because on that moment technical studies organized the job prospects. These changes put the end to the traditional conventions such as hierarchies of the past time. The young generation was growing as the working class, and by the 1960s came out egalitarian countries as Germany, Poland, Czechoslovakia. All this gradually run out to the social revolution. The achievements in science or technology of that period were the steps to the lifestyle changes. Lifestyle of people changed and they began to understand such terms as economics, so people started to compare their wealth, economic interests. An education was one of the main causes of that time, which made people to be distressed by the political system of their countries. I suppose, authority couldn’t make a step to the future without the social revolution even if it was leading to failure.
ReplyDeleteWestern European countries and US had an ingredible growth in their economy after World War II. But nevertheless,despite their stability in the economy, the society situation was not good. Suddenly, in 1967-1968 broke into waves of students disagreement. This wave broke out Europe, US and Japan. This revolution was happened not only in this countries, but also it was globally. 1968 was the year of revolution. This year John Lenon presented his song about this situation, which called "Revolution". 1968 was, among many other things, a moral revolt -- it was a revolt of passion in the interests of humanity. This revolt was generated by what they perceived to be their alienation from dominant social values, from the values of the power elites, the Establishment, the "It."
ReplyDeleteAnd to answer the question: why students acted like that? Because, the economy was brilliant. But, suddenly in may 1968 the economy started to fall. Workers did not get their salaries. And they started revolution. After that ministry of education started to change the dorms of students, they made special rules, according to them only students can enter the university. And about not given salary, most of them were students also.
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ReplyDeleteAiganym, how is it possible that both you and Fariza have the same response?
ReplyDeleteAlmost a quarter of a century there was some stability on the earth. Europe has relatively well recovered from the effects of a war. Economy accepted the makeup of a fixity. Even if there were any dissatisfactions, people could conceal it. In spite of talking about a future nuclear war, people were afraid of believe in it. The Government, of course, will not allow to happen it. However, what we see in 1968? Witnesses of that convulsion thought that the whole world went mad for no reason at all. 1968 called as a strange, mysterious, mystical year. Up to now, there is no main reason, which moved people from different parts of the world for revolutionary rage at the same time. Perhaps, it was changing in education or insufficient salary( in the opinion of the new generation). The different parts of social strata were dissatisfied with the existing order. So, it takes the form of student’s protest in France. Thereafter, a workers strike in the Western Europe, the guerrilla war in Vietтam, the national liberation struggle in China were followed by them. Consequently, many countries met face to face with a challenge for its existence. At that time the cultural protest was introduced. And there were some misunderstandings between the two generations (parents and children). Children grew up in a relatively comfortable condition. Unlike their parents, this generation did not see the global economic crisis in 1930 or a world war. They took a good financial well-being for granted. The new generation fought in the cause of social justice. There was not enough that they already have.
DeleteAfter 1945 western Europe rediscovered democracy. Human right became on the first place and the most important thing in state. 'The German people . . . acknowledge inviolable and inalienable human rights to be the basis of every human community,' ran article 1 of the new German Basic Law. (Mazower, 9 ch) During this time we can also see rapidly economic growth. It was substantially, figures that showed it, were everywhere: “Between 1913 and 1950 per capita growth in the region had averaged 1 per cent a year; between 1950 and 1970 this rose to an incredible 4 per cent” (Mazower, 9 ch.) it was known as “economic miracle”. Full employment came to be seen not as a precarious and hard-won achievement, but as a natural part of a modern, scientifically managed capitalist economy. Growth of all economic factors lead to the growth of social live. Standard of living raised depending on government spending. Good conditions of living became normal and usual thing, and it was time of consumers’ generation, that did not know what was shortage and deficit. I think that material security of young generation create some ideological needs. They began to protect human rights, struggle for women's rights and so one. It led to big amount of strikes and protests in different parts of the world. One of them was protests against USA participation in Vietnam’s war. So we can say that economic growth lead to political instability.
ReplyDelete1960-1970 years were very different for Europe. 1968 "students' revolution" against Charles de Gaulle, in 1969 in Germany was September strike, Italy survived "hot Autumn" there was a war in Vietnam. And the main reason for this, in my point of view, government tried to improve economy of the country and didn't notice how citizens suffer from it.
ReplyDeleteFirst of all I want to say that many revolutions organized most uneducated or not liberated layers of the population in our case it is the students . Admittedly that the opinions that have been given to me have some thoughts and have arguments . But I think the reason drugom.Sharl de Gaulle was to some extent a dictator, but the numbers speak for him. Under him France evolved. I think the reason for this " revolution " is that the youth of France had no idea of what to them was a country which has gone through difficult times on . Young people have always wanted and wants the best . They have big ambitions that prompted them to unjustified demands .
ReplyDeleteForty six years ago, 1968, in may began demonstrations against the government. French call this event as Mai 68. Social crisis in France drove to meetings. Events took their starting point in universities of Paris, Nanterre, then they spread till Sorbonne. Cohn-Bendit,23 years old man, who was one of the most known leader declared: "We refuse to be the future cadres of capitalist exploitation". The walls of the university were covered with posters and graffiti:"Professors, you are old and so is your culture", "Let us live", "Take your dreams for reality". Not only students were mobilized in this struggle, 9 million workers joined them. At the end, it led to a resignation of a President Charles de Gaulle, and to enormous changes in government and society. Events of 1968 covered USA too. Students from Berkeley University, North California, were first who demonstrated massive struggles. They were against the Vietnam War and racial segregation. In the first period, police was send and 800 arrests were done. At the same time, there were also outbursts in the black ghettos of the major towns (the proportion of young blacks among soldiers being sent to Vietnam was much higher than the national average). in addition, Japan student were against Vietnam War too. They began their movements under the leadership of the Zengakuren, he organized strong fights against the police from 1965. Struggles in England were not so big as in France or USA, their first steps to movement were done in October 1966. Students of London School of Economics were against the new director because of his links with the racist regimes of Rhodesia and South Africa. Students of Italy mobilized from various universities, especially in Rome. They were against the policies of the university authorities and of course against Vietnam War. Spain students began their agitation in March, which was against Francoist regime and Vietnam war. Madrid university was closed, because of that.
ReplyDeleteFrom my point of view, the immediate results were less important than the long-term consequences. there were several gains from it, for example, enrollments in Europe were expanded, fewer entrance requirements, and government began to listen to students` ideas as consumers ( more authority ). This movement showed negative sides of capitalist development and modern technology, because such factors as crisis and ecology problems were not taken into account.
After the war, the destroyed economy was quickly restored. Gradually, people began to arrive at idea that not all politicians can be trusted. Protest movement, especially among youth started rising. Heads of the states didn't manage to adapt to changes in moods of society. Under pressure of mass protest actions, the government of the European countries often retired. The scientific and technical progress, new tendencies in culture provoked society to fast changes. The youth demanded to give them a chance for self-realization. If before the war everything was either white or black, either good or bad, either friends or enemies, after the war people began to distinguish shades of other colors, there were idols. With the advent of radio and television society became more open and politically active. The universal declaration of human rights was adopted.
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ReplyDeleteIn 1967-1968 several protests took place in United States, and in most countries of Europe such as Germany, France etc. Reasons why it was like this, why students did protests were poor conditions of studying in universities. In Germany, government in order to support its economic policies tried to change the universities, producing graduates faster by setting a time limit on courses, and there was a limited number of students. Consequently, students were unsatisfied with this news, and they wanted to adjust the universities to their own wishes. They were lack of rights in making decisions, lack of authority, they wanted better-equipped workplaces, and well-educated teachers. Also, some universities were closed after the conflicts between the students. It made them more anger as well. All these protests which took place in 1960s had a significant impact on the society of each country.
ReplyDeleteDespite of predictions that Western Europe would be weak after the War, countries of the Western Europe had good development in Economics and in social life. But in the middle of 1960s there were many strikes in United States and Western European countries. Main reasons of them were increasing social life aspects and level of education. For example in France in 1968 students started to strike against De Gaulle's government. They wanted to change system of education and said that France became old-fashioned and very conservative.Student wanted to have more rights and be protected from government. That is why every hint on revolution had influence on the countries' goverments.
ReplyDeleteAfter the destruction of war , the economy of Western Europe, he quickly returned to normal. But problems also remain in the community. Strikes began in the U.S. and Western Europe. The reason was the low standard of living and education. For example , one of the strikes is connected with students in France. Then the country was under the leadership of Charles De Gaulle. And students demanded his resignation. Since they are not satisfied with education faculty. They had no rights and were not protected by anyone. Due to this, and I think there was a revolution , as students were on the verge of patience.
ReplyDeleteIn 1960's education was more available comparing last years for western-europeans, so that people started understand political, economical, financial changes in their country. And students became unsatisfied with this. They worried what happening in the world at that time, at that moment. They worried about the invasion in Vietnam. "The signs of a revival of mass protest were already visible - in the marches of CND in the early 1960s, in the violent demonstrations against American involvement in Vietnam, against the Greek colonels' coup in 1967, and the Shah's tyranny in Iran." (Mazower, page 75). The new generation had a desire to participate in history of their lives, of their university, of their country and of the world. I think, it was because of feeling, whose roots go deep into aftermaths of the WWII. During the Second World War most of people didn't know about what is war and what was happening in that time in Germany, Poland, etc. And then they realized cruelty of the world, the horrible numbers of victims. After war ended people felt themselves deceived. So in 1967's they wanted new methodic and young professors, which could show them the new way of thinking.
ReplyDeleteI can't say that the protests, which were in the late 60-ies were paradoxical, they were to occur, not exactly sure in this period. Just many countries were "exhausted" old traditions,they needed a "new breath", direction. It was during this period in many countries education is available should the fact that the levels of literacy and education is growing, people are aware of their freedom of expression of their rights. Also in the world was tense situation because of the Cold war, decolonization, war between Egypt and Israel, the Vietnam war. be aware that no single political demands but was a General dislike to power inequalities and traditional commandments. Also grew this movement as feminism, which also led to the increase of self-consciousness.
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