Chapter 6, The First Turning, American High (1946-1964) Summary and Analysis

Chapter 6 begins Part II of the book, which is more prophetic and less explanatory than Part I. It describes in detail the patterns of the saeculum in the first turning, the period ranging between the end of World War II and the Kennedy Assassination. Present-day Americans have an image of this time as a 'high' due to old, classic television and 'nostalgia' movies which we can still recall. This age was an age of American dominance and confidence in their institutions. The American family was beyond question and generated the suburban lifestyle. Americans, due to their confidence, became conformists, materialistic and developed a philistine culture.

There are many first turnings in Anglo-American history - Tudor Renaissance (1487-1517), Merrie England (1594-1621), Augustan Age of Empire (1704-1727), Era of Good Feelings...