Silent Generation

	Yalta conference 1945, Allied nations determined post-war world. Tensions arose when no peaceful compromise was reached between communist and capitalist nations, starting the Cold War.
	February 9, 1950, Senator Joe McCarthy made a speech accusing 250 employees of the State Department of being communists. For four years, he continued to accuse people of spying for the KGB, and while most did not result in convictions, nearly everyone accused lost their jobs.
	1951, Julius and Ethel Rosenberg were convicted of Espionage and executed. This was the first time a person had ever been executed for this crime during peace time.
	Television became available in the home during the 1940's and 1950's.
	Three major TV broadcast stations, NBC, ABC, and CBS, were available over the airwaves. These three stations served as the entire nation's broadcast system, and were strictly regulated.
	The youth had virtually no voice, leaving them with no ability for mass expression of ideas.

Generation X

	1985, Mikhal Gorbachev came to power and met with President Reagan, and implemented arms reductions of both the USA and USSR. This was the beginning of the end of Cold War.
	1989, Berlin Wall fell and Germany was reunified in  1990.
	By 1992, the USSR had fallen, bringing an end to the fear of a communist takeover of the USA.
	August 1, 1981, MTV was launched, giving the youth of the 80's a platform to bring forth their views and concerns. This was the first time a network had devoted itself to youth and its culture.