Overview

From the Harlem Renaissance to digital culture, the 20th and 21st centuries have seen dramatic shifts in American cultural and intellectual life. Literature, art, education, science, and the media all played roles in shaping national identity, challenging norms, and reflecting a more diverse and global society.

Key Themes and Events

• The Harlem Renaissance: A flourishing of African American literature, music, and art in the 1920s. Key figures include Langston Hughes, Zora Neale Hurston, and Duke Ellington.
• Postwar Culture and the 1960s: The rise of mass media, suburbanization, and youth culture redefined values. Civil rights, antiwar protests, and feminist thought shaped public discourse.
• Educational Expansion: The GI Bill (1944), desegregation efforts (e.g., Brown v. Board), and public education reforms increased access to higher learning.
• Technology and Science: Innovations in medicine, computers, and space exploration (Apollo program) reshaped how Americans lived and worked.
• Pop Culture and Media: Television, music, and the internet became dominant cultural forces. American pop culture gained global influence through film, fashion, and entertainment.
• Contemporary Debates: Issues like multiculturalism, identity politics, and culture wars reflect ongoing struggles over values, representation, and national memory.

Quick Tip

Know the major intellectual and cultural trends of the 20th century. CLEP questions may ask about the Harlem Renaissance, postwar youth culture, the impact of technology, or shifts in public education and civil rights.