The Night of the Iguana (Historical Context)

Historical Context

The early 1960s marked a transitional time in American history. In 1961, for example, President Dwight

D. Eisenhower left office. The new president was the youthful, more liberal John F. Kennedy. Change was not limited to the United States: political and cultural turmoil could be found worldwide and the United States was often involved.

One of the biggest threats to the American mainland in the 20th century was Cuba after Fidel Castro rose to power. In 1961, the United States cut off diplomatic relations with Cuba. Cuban exiles, backed by the American government, led an invasion into Cuba at the Bay of Pigs — the operation was a dismal failure. The Soviet Union, the United States’ most formidable enemy, placed missiles aimed at the United States in Cuba. The Soviets later remove their missiles from the island after the Cuban Missile Crisis of 1962. The Soviet Union and the United States eventually began discussing disarmament in Geneva later in the decade.

In the early 1960s, the United States also became involved in the on-going conflict in Vietnam. Military aid and advisors were sent to American allies in the region. By the end of the decade this involvement would become extremely controversial and create a rift in American society.

Despite these conflicts, the United States became dominant in the political and cultural climates of the world. The economy boomed, and American businesses grew rapidly at home and abroad. Americans were prosperous. Disposable goods were developed and the youth market boomed. While America developed a reputation for technical innovation (for example, Telstar, a satellite owned by AT&T transmitted television signals for the first time), the Soviet Union put the first man, Yuri Gagari, in space in 1961. Such incidents drove home the fear that the American education system was not up to the demands of the modern society that was emerging.

One of the biggest changes in the United States concerned women. There was mounting tension due to the schism between women’s traditional roles and changing society. More women entered the workforce, many of whom were married. During World War II, many women joined the workforce to support the war effort as many men went off to fight in the war. When men returned home, they took back most of the jobs, but women continued to work, though only part-time or in traditional women’s professions. By 1960, 36% of women were in the workforce, accounting for 32% of total workers. The feminist movement gained momentum when Betty Friedan published The Feminine Mystique in 1963. In this book, she argued that women should seek self-fulfillment. Though they may have found such fulfillment in the workforce, they were still responsible for the majority of household chores.

The lives of women did not only change in the workforce. Women’s fashion also became looser. In the 1960s, it became acceptable for women to wear pants in more formal social situations for the first time. In general, women dressed less formally overall, and younger women embraced fashion that changed from season to season. Women also married at a later date, and the divorce rate grew. There was more sex outside of marriage, and premarital sex became more common. In 1961, the birth control pill became available on the open market, making contraception easier than it had ever been for both single and married women. Such changes marked the emergence of modern society in America.

Compare & Contrast

• 1940: The United States watched the beginnings of World War II and considered intervention. Eventually the country was drawn into the conflict.

  1961: The United States watches the beginnings of the Vietnam conflict. Eventually, the country was drawn into the war.

  Today: While there are no widespread wars, the United States retains a position as the world’s peacekeeper and considers intervention in numerous localized conflicts.

• 1940: The growth of war-related industry drew nearly 12 million women in the workforce. However when the war ended, women’s pay went down and they earned much less than men.

  1963: The beginnings of the modern feminist movement take root, with the publication of Betty Friedan’s The Feminine Mystique.

  Today: Women struggle to balance the demands of work and home life. There is still a significant disparity in pay: women earn much less than men for the same work. The feminist movement is on the decline.

• 1940: Some methods of birth control have been available for several years, though many are still restricted. Attitudes towards sex are becoming more liberal.

  1961: The birth control pill is introduced, giving women more control than ever over their bodies.

  Today: Birth control has become even more convenient. Devices such as Norplant can be inserted into a woman’s arm and work for up to six months.

• 1940: Nazi Germany forces the beginnings of Jewish repression. This takes many forms in different countries, including restriction of movement and denial of basic human rights. The Auschwitz concentration camp is built.

  1961: Nazi official Adolph Eichmann is convicted in Israel for his role in the death of six million Jews during World War II.

  Today: Efforts to keep alive the memory of the Holocaust are widespread. Movies on the topic, such as Schindler’s List and Life is Beautiful, are popular and win numerous awards.