PostWW 2 Europe FROM REVOLUTION TO CONSERVATISM PostWW

Post-WW 2 Europe FROM REVOLUTION TO CONSERVATISM

Post-WW 2: Era of Good Feelings General era of prosperity and hope about future – Baby Boom, consumerism, restoring “normalcy” Boom lasted from 1946 ~ 1970 End to colonial holdings by European powers Not always easy – French reticent to give up Algeria and Vietnam (wars for independence in both cases)

Later 1960 s Baby-boomers off to college or living on their own Become disillusioned with the perfect world of the 1950 s Felt betrayed, lied to by previous generation Add Neo-Marxist ideologies and you have major issues confronting the established order

1968: A volatile year Just like in US, the young and disenfranchised of Europe rebelled in ’ 68 In Eastern Europe Czechoslovakia’s Prague Spring movement led by President Alexander Dubcek saw a push by intellectuals and moderates for democratization (and less SOVIET control) of their government Spilled over into Poland – student uprisings, government repression and scapegoating of Jews In Western Europe May Riots in France Began with Students at Universities, spread to a general strike of French workers Protesting Vietnam War, consumerism, capitalism, traditional values, “order” 22% of population on strike/rioting for 2 weeks

De. Gaulle flees country briefly Rioters feel victorious De. Gaulle regroups, gets army on his side, threatens protestors and strikers – orders a return to normalcy but concedes to new elections De. Gaulle scares older generations into voting his party back into office, but many now see him as too old and out of touch to lead France in a modern era Massive changes to society usher France into a new, more contemporary era

Conservatism in Western Europe 1979 – 1990: Margaret Thatcher and the Conservative Party dominated English Parliament Responding to waning economy through privatization and by making England more amenable to laissez-faire capitalism Supportive of Reagan’s anti-Soviet Stance