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