The Period after World War 2 especially after 1950 until about 1980 was characterised by considerable economic prosperity in the West, especially in the USA and by huge advances in education. By 1960 there were more university students in America and Europe than ever before in history. People were exposed to more ideas and, young people especially, being disillusioned with the “mistakes” of the past generation that had led to two world wars and the threat of a nuclear holocaust were eager to see changes and began to engage in various sorts of protest to make change. The burning issues that came to the fore were: women’s rights, minority (black) rights, and an end to war.
The links below sum up the struggle for black rights in the USA.
http://https://www.history.com/topics/black-history/civil-rights-movement