The 1960s and 1970s were a unique time, with a cultural shift occurring. This shift was especially in the United States. It was a time of new ideas, and people were exploring new ways of life never like before. There was also the Cold War, a complex and tense situation with Russia, which left a heavy influence on this period. Concerning this topic, I would say that the world in general in the West was a dangerous place in the 60s and 70s. If so in what sense was it dangerous?

During the 1960s and 1970s, the Cold War was in fledge. America and Russia had a pretty tense relationship. Though neither country was harmed in the physical military sense there still were a lot of issues with spies from either side, threats such as threats of attack from both sides, etc. The Cold War in many ways also influenced the Vietnam War which was a war against communists who were funded by the Soviets, and the non-communists who were eventually supported by the United States. The Vietnam War is one that many believe America should not have been involved in, and many Americans at the time were against the war. There were many mass anti-war protests during the United States’ involvement in the Vietnam War.

A very important key event was the assassination of President Kennedy in 1963, which caused a very large disruption in America. The vice president who became president, President Johnson, implemented what is called The Welfare State. Though the Welfare State seemed to be a sound thing that would help the poor it in the long run had many negative long-lasting effects, such as the loss of the work ethic. Though the Cold War, Kennedy’s assassination, the implementation of the welfare state, and the overall cultural change during this time caused much mental strain and stress to the people of the West,  it was not a terrible time. Compared to the 40s during World War II the 60s and 70s were not a dangerous time in history from a physical standpoint, though it could be said otherwise from a mental view.

In conclusion, though the 60s and 70s was very tense and serious time in history overall for the average American was not a dangerous time. It was a very unique time in history when people began to lose their trust in the government and other authority figures which had previously been fully trusted.