View
221
Download
2
Category
Tags:
Preview:
Citation preview
The United States in the 1950’s
The Golden Age of Modern America
http://youtu.be/4fEb8-zV2qU
Identify and explain the actions taken by the US government to limit communism at home.
Methods
Propaganda
Campaigns
Witch Hunts
Government Interference
House Un-American Activities Commitee
Internal Security Act
Explain how the Americans responded to the real and perceived threats of domestic communism in the 1950s
“Duck and Cover”
Established by the Federal Civil Defense Administration (FCDA) to teach the country ways to survuve an atomic attack from the Soviets
Teachers were expected to perform drills during school
The video “Duck and Cover was shown around the country
Immigration and Naturalization Act 1952
Also known as the McCarran-Walter Act
Its main goal was to exclude anyone remotely associated with communism in order to block its spread
Truman vetoed the law, deeming it discriminatory, but congress was able to override
Describe suburban life during the 1950s
Discrimination
African Americans also experienced discrimination in this era. Issues with property ownership, schooling, &
employment
Brown Vs. The Board of Education
Oliver Brown had enrolled his daughter, Linda Brown, into a white school and she was immediately rejected.
Brown and 13 other parents were furious and created a lawsuit.
Lasted 3 years
After the Victory
Joseph McCarthy
Exploited fears using communism propaganda Contributed largely to the “Red Scare” ( a
communist witch hunt lasting for 5 years) Was in the Senate, and accused people within
the Senate of being spies After WW2 , people started to become paranoid
about the spread of communism in the U.S. Only 0.01% of the population in America was
communist. An Investigation was his downfall
Rosa Parks
“The first lady of civil rights” & “The mother of the freedom movement”
December 1, 1955 Montgomery Alabama Refused to give up her seat to a white
passenger Became a symbol of the national resistance
against racial segregation December 20, 1956 Supreme Court ruled
Montgomery, Alabama’s segregated buses unconstitutional
Post WWII and Baby Boom
After the war, more and more Americans began getting married and starting families at younger ages and in greater numbers
Soaring birthrates accounted for more than 90% of this increase-some 30 million people
Because of the baby boom, Americans started migrating to the suburbs to raise their families and start a new life
Suburban life became the focus of 1950’s America
American Suburbia
By 1960 close to 60 million American lived in the suburbs
Consumerism and social life changed entirely
Income and Population grew and with this growth, there was a high demand for consumer goods
Family income grew by 25%
Advertising also played a large role
Hydrogen Bomb
Teller-Ulam Design
More effective than the atomic bomb
United States vs. Soviet Union
American comfort Religion, Soviets exact opposite
“One Nation Under God”
“In God We Trust”
Role of Advertising
Advertising industries promoted consumption by directing their goods at new suburban families
Maintained image of a care-free, happy family on their advertisement boards
Americans responded by going on shopping sprees and and making sure they kept up with the latest models
Also American families wanted to compete with their neighbors
Highlights of the 50’s Culture
1951, ‘I Love Lucy’ quickly becomes most popular television show
1950, Frank Sinatra’s ‘New York, New York’ is a smash hit
1954, Elvis Presley releases his first record
1956, Cecil B. Demille remakes the ‘Ten Commandments’
1957, Jack Kerouc publishes ‘On the Road’
Birth of Television
Average families were intrigued by the television and it quickly became their favorite type of entertainment
Sitcoms, soap operas, game shows, and the local news dominated the lives of families
‘I Love Lucy’ was hugely popular since it depicted the life of an average American family but in a comical way
Additionally, soap operas such as ‘As the World Turns’ quickly became the subject of gossip between 50’s housewives
Sitcoms
Sitcoms = situational comedy
Genre of comedy that features characters sharing the same common environment such as a home or workplace
In other words, average American life
Started back in the 20’s on the radio and lead to popular shows such as the Brady Bunch and the Andy Griffith Show, a whole new type of televison
‘I Love Lucy’
Depicted the comical life of Lucille Ball
Watched by over 40 million Americans and has been translated into dozens of languages
Still popular even after its last debut 60 years ago
Won 5 Primetime Emmy’s and ranked in the Times 100 Best TV-Shows of All Time
I Love Lucy
http://www.youtube.com/
watch?v=8NPzLBSBzPI
Soap Operas
Unlike sitcoms which were comical, soaps are an ongoing, episodic work of drama
Quickly became a staple of daytime television along with game shows
Popular among 50’s housewives
‘As the World Turns’ started in 1956 and still airs today with almost 14,000 episodes ranging within 54 seasons
Teenage Rebellion and Rock ’n’ Roll
Teenagers escaped the conformity of suburbia through rock ’n’ roll
Combination of African American blues, country, jazz, and gospel music
Piano and Saxophones were often leading instruments in early works and later shifted towards guitar, bass, and percussion
Rockabilly primarily consisted of quick dance movements
The King - Elvis Presley
Presley rose to national attention in 1956 transforming the field of popular music with ‘Jailhouse Rock’ and ‘Little Sister’
Incorporated Doo Wop, another early rock n roll form, into his songs where the style emphasizes on multi-part vocal harmonies
Former President Jimmy Carter stated Presley “permanently changed the face of American pop culture
Elvis’s name, image, and voice are recognized around the globe
Elvis Presley – “Jailhouse Rock”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gj0Rz-uP4Mk
The Creative Influence of Buddy Holly
Creative force behind early Rock n’ Roll
Best known for his famous songs ‘Peggy Sue’ and ‘That’ll be the Day”
Changed the face of teenage rebellion music
His last legacy inspired many musicians such as Eric Claypton, Bob Dylan, The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, and Weezer
Frank Sinatra and Nat King Cole
Frank Sinatra’s voice is forever stored in pop music industry
Nat King Cole is one of the great African American musicians that popularized the 1950’s booming music industry
Both Sinatra and Cole started their careers in the swing era
Both released several critically lauded albums
Cole famous for his soft baritone voice (‘Smile’, ‘L.O.V.E’)
Sinatra also starred in several hit films and musicals winning an Academy Award (‘Come Fly With Me’, ‘Only the Lonely’)
Frank Sinatra – “Come Fly With Me”
http://www.youtube.com/
watch?v=AbLehPca9bo
Sputnik 1
October 4, 1957
New developments
Advancements in our atmospheres
United States’ retaliation
Polio Vaccine
Polio Epidemic
Deaths
Color Television
FCC in 1950
Propaganda uses
Marketplace experience
Sports Power Houses
Cleveland Browns
NY Yankees
Brooklyn/Los Angeles Dodgers
Minneapolis Lakers
Boston Celtics
Detroit Red Wings
Montreal Canadians
1952 Olympics
1948 Games
WWII
Japan and Germany
Athletes of the Decade
Ben Hogan – Golf
Althea Gibson – Tennis
Jim Brown – Football
Willie Mays – Baseball
Bob Cousy – Basketball
Sugar Ray Robinson - Boxing
Drive In Theaters
It is a new and exciting way to see movies.
Boosts economy
fun way to have fun in your Personally owned car
Automobiles
Eisenhower saw what an interstate could do for Americans and transportation. Interstates were created and an increase in car buying and new styles were fashioned
Barbie Dolls
First introduced to the public in 1959
The inspiration came from a German doll named Lilli created for adult entertainment……ew
Debuted as a fashionable teenager that every girl could look up to
Poodle Skirts & Hairstyles
Poodle Skirts: a wide swing felt skirt of a solid bold color with a design of a poodle, flamingo, flower, or even hot rods
Quickly became popular with the teenagers
Hairstyles:soft, curly, short.No more, no less.
1950s Jeopardy!!!!!!!
http://jeopardylabs.com/play/1950s42
Recommended