Pop culture history, 1920-present

Since modern, electronic media began to take hold in the 1920s, Western pop culture has gone through about six different stages, each with their own distinct feeling.

1920-1946: Jazz Age, Great Depression, and World War 2
This period was defined by the Golden age of film, Jazz music, which evolved into Swing music by 1935, and later Big Band music. Early on, in the '20s, this period was defined by prosperity, but with the 1929 Stock Market Crash, things quickly turned dire.

1947-1962: Post-war era
The 1950s, and the years immediately surrounding them, were defined by the first rock n roll, carhop culture, the emergence of the modern teenager, the Red Scare, and the onset of television.

Elvis Presley is the most famous entertainer to come out of this era.

1963-1970: Swinging 60s
The Sixties began with the British Invasion revival of rock n roll, and were defined by Civil Rights, protests over the Vietnam War, the hippie movement, environmentalism, Motown music, and classic rock.

The Beatles are the most famous band of all time, and come from this era.

1971-1979: The Seventies
The 1970s represented a continuation of the '60s rock music. Kitsch was popular in the 70s, and would continue to be in the '80s.

Disco music is considered symbolic of the decade, though it was only popular beginning in 1975.

1980-1991: The Eighties
The Eighties began with New Romantic fashion and the introduction of the synthesizer, dramatically altering the sound of music permanently.

The decade saw a swing back to conservatism in Western countries that would last until the mid 2000s in countries like the US and UK.

Hair metal acts like Van Halen and Bon Jovi were popular throughout this period, and influenced fashion.

1992-present: The Alternative era
The 1990s, 2000s and into the '10s were defined by the fragmentation of pop culture, due to digital technology. Teen pop, hip hop music and alternative music were the definitive styles of 1992 and later.

The use of profanity became more socially acceptable during this time period, and more people followed a DIY lifestyle.