“McCarthyism” refers to the practice of accusing U.S. The phenomenon known as McCarthyism began just after World War II, when the fear of communism in the United States was at an all-time high. Some of them would have lied about their age to enter the war, while others were forced to sit by the sidelines. World War II ended in 1945, when the oldest members of the Silent Generation were 17 years old. Many members of the cohort lost their fathers or older siblings in the war.Īdditionally, members of the Silent Generation witnessed the rise and fall of Nazism during this time, as well as the first devastations caused by nuclear bombs. World War II began in 1939, when the oldest member of the Silent Generation was just 11 years old. Their parents likely taught frugalism, a strong work ethic, and reserve in everyday life. Those who were born just after the Great Depression would have felt the effects of the economic downturn. Those who were children or teens during the Great Depression would have seen their parents struggle to make ends meet. The Great Depression spanned from 1929 to 1933, covering many of the birth years included in the Silent Generation. If your parent or grandparent is a member of the Silent Generation, you might be able to gain insight into their life by looking at the events they witnessed. Looking at how the Silent Generation experienced and handled events throughout their lives can help us understand members of this age group even better. » MORE: Online obituary that is 100% free. The Silent Generation came of age during the McCarthy Era, and many of them were hardworking children of the Great Depression. They were silenced by world eventsĪnother reason many believe members of the Silent Generation tend to speak out less than other age groups is because of key world events. And it’s one that tends to go about its business in relative peace and quiet. The Silent Generation likely earned its name partly because of where it sits in the generational timeline: sandwiched between the “G.I.” Greatest Generation and the boisterous Baby Boomers.īy comparison to these two larger and “louder” generations, the Silent Generation is a small cohort. However, members of the Silent Generation acted as leaders for crucial political and social movements. For example, the Baby Boomer generation formed the Counterculture movement of the 1960s. While the generations before and after them had joined together as unified political units in protest of world events, the Silent Generation did not. The primary reason they’re known as the Silent Generation is that many believe its members never came together in protest as a unified political entity. In many ways, the Silent Generation is a cohort of cultural and social pioneers, however quietly they’ve gone about it. Around the same time, historian William Manchester characterized the generation as “withdrawn, cautious, unimaginative, indifferent, unadventurous, and silent.”īut the Silent Generation spearheaded new technical advances, initiated cultural changes, and brought attention to social causes of all types. Time Magazine first used the term “Silent Generation” in its Novemcover story. Here’s how the Silent Generation fits in amongst the most recent age groups: Opinions sometimes vary on which birth years, exactly, make up the Silent Generation.īut Pew Research Center states that the Silent Generation includes individuals born between 19. » MORE: An online memorial is a perfect ending to honor and celebrate someone's life. The Silent Generation is a relatively small cohort compared to other age groups, but it’s still had a significant impact on the United States and the world. The term originally only applied to people born in the United States and Canada, but it has since expanded to include Australia, New Zealand, and South America. The Silent Generation is also known as the Lucky Few. The Silent Generation is the group of people born in between the Greatest Generation and the Baby Boomer Generation. And knowing more about this essential age group can help you better understand your elderly relatives. Your parents, grandparents, or great-grandparents might just be part of the Silent Generation. Silent Generation Experiences and Eventsīut chances are, you know or have known someone who falls within this demographic.Why is it Called the Silent Generation?.You know all about Gen-Z, Millenials, and Baby Boomers, but what about the Silent Generation? As their name suggests, members of the Silent Generation often get overlooked.
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