The Great Power Cycle Summary and Analysis

The Great Power Cycle will forever be known for World War II and the atomic bomb. In fact, there were two social moments during this four-generation cycle of Missionaries (Idealists), Lost (Reactive), G.I. (Civic), and Silent (Adaptive).

The Missionary Generation (Born 1860-1882 - Idealist)

Youth and Coming of Age: Missionaries were a nurtured and indulged children and far better educated than their parents. Because fathers worked outside the home in factories, businesses and corporations, the major parental influence in their lives were the mothers. Religion became an activity for Sunday only, and the climate was hope and salvation, not damnation.

Rising Adulthood: As they moved into their thirties and forties, Missionaries tempered their views and actions, but continued to try to alter society. Their views, however, were disparate. Social Gospel was important to urban...