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TheInterbellum Generation is a socialgenerational term that is sometimes used to describe people born in theUnited States during theearly 20th century, often specified as the years 1901 to 1914. This age range is more commonly considered the first half of theGreatest Generation.
The name "Interbellum" (derived from theLatininter "between" andbellum "war") comes from the fact that those born during this time were too young to have served in the military duringWorld War I, and were generally too old to serve as enlisted personnel inWorld War II. Although many of them joined the armed forces in the latter conflict, they were however more likely to have served behind thefrontlines.[1] Therefore, the Interbellum Generation was sandwiched between theLost Generation and the Greatest Generation.[citation needed]
The oldest members of this generation came of age at the close of the 1910s in 1919, while the majority had matured during theRoaring Twenties, and the minority had turned 18 during the initial phase of theGreat Depression from 1929 to 1932, prior to the election ofFranklin D. Roosevelt and the promulgation of theNew Deal. This fact contributed to the core of this generation holding lifelongleft-liberal views in politics, especially on economic issues (many of them joinedCommunist fronts during the 1930s), although with a few prominent dissenters such asBarry Goldwater. Most of their children belong to theSilent Generation.[citation needed]
Richard Arvin Overton (born in 1906), formerly the oldest living World War II veteran, was a member of this generation.[citation needed]
The fourPresidents of the United States of the Interbellum Generation wereLyndon B. Johnson (born in 1908),Ronald Reagan (born in 1911),Richard Nixon, andGerald Ford (both born in 1913). However, all four served in World War II with younger members of the Greatest Generation.[citation needed]
TwoPrime Ministers of the United Kingdom were also members of the Interbellum Generation,Alec Douglas-Home (born in 1903) andJames Callaghan (born in 1912). Like their American counterparts, they also served alongside later Greatest Generation members in World War II.[citation needed]