Florida US History EOC Practice Exam

The Beat Generation is characterized by a sense of disillusionment with mainstream society during the 1950s, making it the correct answer. This cultural movement emerged as a reaction against the conformity, materialism, and traditional values prevalent in post-World War II America. Writers and artists of the Beat Generation, such as Jack Kerouac and Allen Ginsberg, explored themes of personal freedom, spiritual quest, and criticism of established norms through their works. Their literature often featured spontaneous prose and sought to challenge social conventions, reflecting a profound dissatisfaction with societal expectations.

In contrast, while the Counterculture Movement and the Hippie Movement share themes of rebellion and nonconformity, they became more prominent in the 1960s and were influenced by the earlier Beat Generation. Post-War Realism, on the other hand, focused more on depicting the struggles and realities of everyday life after the war, rather than the cultural disillusionment that defined the Beat Generation. Therefore, the Beat Generation is specifically credited with embodying this sense of disillusionment that typified the 1950s.