Final answer:
America before the publication of 'To Kill a Mockingbird' can be described as 'turbulent' due to the intense social changes and civil rights movements during that time.
Step-by-step explanation:
One word to describe America leading up to the publication of To Kill a Mockingbird is turbulent. This novel, released in 1960, was written during an era marked by great social upheaval as the nation grappled with issues of racial injustice and civil rights.
The country was in the midst of the civil rights movement, a period characterized by significant strides towards equality and intense social and political challenges. Harper Lee's novel reflects the complexities of American society at the time, showing the courage and moral dilemmas faced by individuals standing against prevalent racial prejudices.
The setting reveals a nation struggling to uphold its ideals of freedom and equality while dealing with the stark realities of discrimination and segregation.