Final answer:
The postwar period saw significant changes in American society with the expansion of the middle class facilitated by the GI Bill, leading to a vibrant popular culture and various counter-culture movements.
Step-by-step explanation:
Impact of Postwar Changes on Popular Culture and Counter-Culture Movements
Postwar demobilization and economic changes profoundly impacted American society, shaping both the popular culture and counter-culture movements. The GI Bill played a significant role in this transformation, contributing to the expansion of the middle class and increasing educational and home ownership opportunities for veterans. Economic prosperity during this period led to more leisure time and disposable income, which fueled a demand for entertainment and gave rise to a vibrant popular culture characterized by rock 'n' roll, movies, and television.
However, economic changes also deepened social disparities, leaving certain groups such as the urban poor, Mexican Americans, and Native Americans largely untouched by the wealth experienced by others. As a result, there was a growing awareness of social injustices, which contributed to the emergence of various counter-culture movements seeking to challenge the status quo.
Moreover, the popularization of music genres like rock 'n' roll, initially rooted in African American culture, reflected and fueled the burgeoning civil rights movement and a broader push for social change. The desire of the youth to carve out their own identities led them to embrace new forms of entertainment that often challenged traditional norms and fed into the development of a counter-culture that questioned the established order and the conservative values of the era.