[RedMonqey]

Yep, 1940s were the worse
Fascism and the rise of the communist threat.

[Verginius Rufus]

Yes--in the 1940s there was WWII (not only the Holocaust but tens of millions killed in Russia, China and other countries thanks to the Axis invaders), then the spread of Communism in Eastern Europe (Soviet bloc countries) and to North Korea and China.

The latter half of the decade was when the older Baby Boomers were born, which is good or bad depending on your perspective. Four Boomer Presidents so far, including one good one for 25%.