The Cycle in America Summary and Analysis

The first generation in America is termed the "European Cohort Group" of 1584-1614—the Puritan Generation. Each cycle starts with an Idealist-type at the beginning and ends with an Adaptive group being born. The five cycles have been termed and described as follows:

1. The Colonial Cycle: Roughly 1584-1700. Puritan Idealists in elderhood; Cavalier Reactives as Midlifers; Glorious Civics as rising adults; Enlightenment Adaptives in childhood and emerging adulthood.

2. The Revolutionary Cycle: Roughly 1701-1791. Awakening Idealists in elderhood; Liberty Reactives as Midlifers; Republican Civics as Rising Adults; and Compromise Adaptives as children and emerging adults.

3. The Civil War Cycle: Roughly 1792-1859. Transcendental Idealists in elderhood; gilded Reactives in adulthood and midlife; and Progressive Adaptive as children and emerging adults. (Note: This cycle missed a Civic Generation)

4. The Great Power Cycle: Roughly 1860-1942. Missionary Idealists in...