The Fourth Turning: What the Cycles of History Tell Us About America’s Next Rendezvous with Destiny

Part 2 examines the four turnings of the “Millennial Saeculum.” The saeculum’s first turning, what the authors call the “American High,” began just after World War II and lasted until the assassination of President John F. Kennedy in 1963. Americans assumed that the post-war era would be similar to the cynical 1920s and hard-bitten 1930s, but instead the nation was upbeat, the economy began thriving, and an unprecedented baby boom began taking shape. Additionally, the middle class grew, the gap between rich and poor narrowed, and two important characteristics of all first turnings began to emerge: People viewed government as effective and large institutions as trustworthy. As with all first turning highs, “[I]t cleaned up after the crisis that came before and set the table for the awakening to follow” (149).

Strauss and Howe argue that highs produce their characteristic moods because of the new life-cycle phase that each archetype is then entering. For example, as nomads replace prophets in elderhood, they slow the pace of social change (151); as heroes replace nomads in midlife, they establish an upbeat, constructive ethic of social discipline (151); as artists replace heroes in young adulthood, they become sensitive helpmates by lending their expertise and cooperation (152); and as prophets replace artists in childhood, they are nurtured with increasing indulgence by optimistic adults in a secure environment (152).