The New Weekly Lesson is now Online -1960s

You can view it below or else click on the following link. Audio will be published on Monday 20th May via the usual Social media channels.

Title: Outline of the 1960s Social Revolution in the UK

The 1960s was a decade of profound social transformation in the United Kingdom, marked by significant changes in attitudes, behaviors, and cultural norms. This era, often referred to as the “Swinging Sixties,” saw the convergence of various social movements and cultural shifts that collectively redefined British society. It cannot be easily defined without looking at the decade as a whole.

One of the most notable aspects of the 1960s social revolution in the UK was the rise of youth culture. Young people, empowered by post-war economic prosperity, became a formidable cultural force. They rejected the conservative values of their parents and embraced new forms of music, fashion, and lifestyle which the older generation found to be alarming. The Beatles, Rolling Stones, and other iconic British bands revolutionized music, making the UK a global hub of pop culture. Carnaby Street in London epitomized the fashion revolution with its vibrant boutiques, symbolizing the era’s youthful exuberance and creativity. Many videoclips of “Twiggy” and other supermodels like Jean Shrimpton exist, walking in Carnaby Street in the 60s.

The feminist movement also gained momentum in this tumultuous time, advocating for women’s rights and equality. Key legislative changes, such as the Abortion Act of 1967, which legalized abortion under certain conditions, and the Divorce Reform Act of 1969, which made it easier for couples to divorce, reflected and further facilitated these shifting social attitudes.

In tandem with these changes was a burgeoning civil rights movement. The Race Relations Act of 1965 marked the first legislative attempt to address racial discrimination in the UK, a response to the increasing visibility and activism of minority communities. The Notting Hill Carnival, which began in the mid-1960s, became a vibrant celebration of Caribbean culture and a symbol of multicultural Britain. This decade also saw the decriminalization of homosexuality in 1967, through the Sexual Offences Act, which was a significant step towards greater social acceptance and legal equality for LGBTQ+ individuals. Although even today there is room for improvement.

The counterculture movement also played a crucial role in the 1960s social revolution. Influenced by the American beat generation and the existentialist philosophies of Europe, British counterculture sought to challenge the materialism and conformism of mainstream society. This movement found expression in various forms, from the experimental art and literature of the underground press to the anti-establishment attitudes of political activism. Protests against nuclear weapons, such as those organized by the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament (CND), exemplified the era’s spirit of dissent and demand for change.

Education and higher learning underwent significant changes as well. The Robbins Report of 1963 led to the expansion of higher education, making it more accessible to a broader segment of the population. This democratization of education not only provided more opportunities for personal advancement but also fostered a more critical and informed citizenry.

The 1960s in the UK was a period of dynamic social change, characterized by a clash between tradition and modernity. The era’s revolutionary spirit was embodied in the youth culture, the sexual revolution, the civil rights movement, the rise of counterculture, and the transformation of education. These changes collectively redefined British society, laying the groundwork for the more open, diverse, and egalitarian culture that would continue to evolve in the subsequent decades. The legacy of the 1960s social revolution remains evident in contemporary British life, reflecting a period when the UK embraced profound social transformation and set the stage for future progress.

Monday:

Write a summary of the above essay focusing on one particular part which you feel you resonate with, 250 words.

Tuesday:

Which one of these sentences is the most untrue:

1. Young people rejected the conservative values of their parents and embraced new forms of music, fashion and ways of living which alarmed friends and relatives.
2. Young people rejected the conservative values of their parents and embraced new forms of music, fashion, and lifestyle which their parents didn’t like.
3. They embraced liberal values of their parents and embraced new forms of music, fashion, and lifestyle which everyone else hated.

(3 is the correct answer)

Wednesday:

What is the difference between a social revolution and a political revolution? Please write an essay using comparative phrases such as “in comparison with”, “in contrast to”, and others. Please review http://leavingcertenglish.net/2013/12/linking-phrases/ and try to use different phrases.

Thursday

Write a list of 10 questions that you would like to ask someone who was 21 in 1965. Remember to start your questions with Interrogative words.

Friday:

Write 10 conditional senses about what you would have felt living in that time.

Saturday:

Rewrite the following paragraph from the perspective of the year 2050, looking back at the “20s” (2020s). What changes and celebrities would you mention? Try to continue writing at least 200 words.

The 1960s was a decade of profound social transformation in the United Kingdom, marked by significant changes in attitudes, behaviors, and cultural norms. This era, often referred to as the “Swinging Sixties,” saw the convergence of various social movements and cultural shifts that collectively redefined British society. It cannot be easily defined without looking at the decade as a whole.