History, Art History and Culture

Day One

1958 - 1970 an overview; defining/differentiating the era

Constitutional change, the beginnings of multi party Parliament and a disunited kingdom

Day Two

Prescriptions for the sick man of Europe: British economic policy and aspirations, 1958-1970

End of Empire, multiculturalism and its discontents

Day Three

"double stamps, prawn cocktail and the Costa Del Sol”: rising standards of living and consumerism, 1958-1970

The making of the 'permissive society', the 'New Morality' and religious radicalism

Day Four

Youth culture in 'The Age of Aquarius'

'Living on the eve of destruction': opposition to nuclear weapons and war; environmentalist anxieties

Day Five

Education, the Arts and popular culture, 1958-1970

BOOKS

It is not necessary to be familiar with the subject but should you wish to read ahead/afterwards, you might find (the relevant chapters/sections of) one or more of the following helpful:

CG Brown Britain since 1707

P Clarke Hope and glory: Britain 1900-1990/2000 [depending on edition]

B Harrison Seeking a role: the United Kingdom 1951-1970

P Hennessy Having it so good: Britain in the 1950s

P Hennessy Winds of change: Britain in the early sixties

D Kynaston Modernity Britain 1957-1962

A Marwick British society since 1945

D Sandbrook Never had it so good: a history of Britain from Suez to the Beatles

D Sandbrook White heat: a history of Britain in the Swinging Sixties

Peter Street

About Peter

Peter has contributed to the Marlborough College Summer School since 1992. He is an Oxford University graduate in Modern History, a qualified teacher and has taught history in higher and adult education for over forty years. Most of Peter's teaching was for Birkbeck College (University of London) and the Open University. Peter has also  lectured for NADFAS, the National Portrait Gallery, the National Trust, the Historical Association and history societies generally.