THE 1950S AND THE AMERICAN DREAM

MacCarthy

Essential Questions How did America change during

the 1950s? Create a Tree map categorizing the different ways America changed?

What is the American Dream? Create a Vein Diagram or a picture comparing the American Dream during the 1950s to your idea of the American Dream today

City Life Why did most people live in big cities

before the 1950s?

What was life like for people who lived in rural areas?

What inventions let people leave the cities?

City Life People who could afford to left the cities

and moved to the suburbs

Businesses followed, think about the Shops at Norterra

Tax dollars left with them

Big cities left with less money for public service

City Life Minorities made up the major population

of the cities

Many Mexicans from the Bracero program were taken advantage of, WHY?

Eisenhower creates the Highway Act

The Dream Baby Boom Why did this happen? Better economic and social conditions

Families with bigger families move to the suburbs

Move South and West for better weather

The Dream Safe place to raise a family

Women were the keepers of the home

Influences from the media, TV and magazines

Products Lawnmowers Washing machines and dyers TVs Barbeques Cars

The Nightmare What is

Conformity

Shallowness

Isolation

The Nightmare People try to fit in

Buy the latest product to show social standings

Women feel bored and lonely

Media displays what life should be like

Sound familiar?

Culture TV- Sitcoms

Rock n roll- Elvis http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2MnmIVBSZYM

Counter culture-the Beatniks Rebels against society

1960 Election-Televised http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zHGs4535W_o

Essential Questions

How did America change during the 1950s?

What is the American Dream?