Antecedents of Thatcherism: Swinging Britain

Swinging Britain

Britain in the 1960s was a nation of colour and optimism. Postwar generation was beginning to enter adulthood, and with it they brought new tastes and ideas. The war generations had built a functional welfare state, with all basic needs - housing, healthcare, basic income - provided for on the basis of high taxes on the wealthy. As the first (and thus far only) generation in British history to fully experience the opportunities of the welfare state, the baby boomers precipitated an ecstatic outburst of creativity: New music, new art, and new philosophy, leading to the famous international movement of the 'British Invasion'.