1950s The 1950s PostWorld War II American Society

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1950’s The 1950’s Post-World War II American Society

1950’s The 1950’s Post-World War II American Society

1950’s Objective Student will be able to analyze post WWII society America by creating

1950’s Objective Student will be able to analyze post WWII society America by creating an ACROSTIC.

1950’s Class Discussion • Based on what you know about the 1950, s from

1950’s Class Discussion • Based on what you know about the 1950, s from watching classic TV shows and old movies, reading books, or talking to people who lived during the decade, think of adjectives that describe what you think the fifties were like. • Why did you choose the adjectives you did?

Preview to the 1950’s Challenges to 1950’s Optimism • • • Cold war Racial

Preview to the 1950’s Challenges to 1950’s Optimism • • • Cold war Racial tension Decaying of the inner cities Red Scare Mc. Carthyism Social Unrest • Brown v. Board of Ed 1954 – segregation in public schools unconstitutional • Montgomery Bus • Whites in the South reacted violently to these civil rights events • Women lost jobs to returning veterans and became housewives

Film Clip: Ike for President – 1950’s Campaign Commercial

Film Clip: Ike for President – 1950’s Campaign Commercial

The Eisenhower Era Begins

The Eisenhower Era Begins

The Eisenhower Era Begins 1950’s A. 1952 Election – Eisenhower victory 1. Nixon Vice

The Eisenhower Era Begins 1950’s A. 1952 Election – Eisenhower victory 1. Nixon Vice President II. 1950’s Optimism A. Americans were optimistic about the future 1. survived the depression and won the war 2. Veterans used GI Bill to go to college 3. many got married and started families creating the “baby boom” 4. Americans bought cars, moved to suburbs

1950’s

1950’s

1950’s III. Increase Federal and State Government Spending A. Eisenhower’s administration accomplishments 1. Extended

1950’s III. Increase Federal and State Government Spending A. Eisenhower’s administration accomplishments 1. Extended Social Security a. Covered 7 million more b. Increase in benefits 2. Extended unemployment compensation a. Covered 4 million more 3. Increased minimum wage 4. Increased housing for low income 5. Increased in federal aid for education

1950’s The Booming Economy

1950’s The Booming Economy

Consumerism 1950’s 1950 - Introduction of the Diner’s Card All babies were potential consumers

Consumerism 1950’s 1950 - Introduction of the Diner’s Card All babies were potential consumers who spearheaded a brand-new market for food, clothing, and shelter. -- Life Magazine (May, 1958)

1950’s Consumerism

1950’s Consumerism

1950’s IV. An Economic Boom A. American standard of living was highest in the

1950’s IV. An Economic Boom A. American standard of living was highest in the world B. 60% of Americans were in the middle class. V. Federal Policies Spur Economic Growth A. Servicemen’s Readjustment Act (GI Bill) 1. $13. 5 Billion federal funds for: a. college b. loans to buy homes 2. Americans had saved $140 million in banks 3. Taxes were cut by $6 million in 1945

A Changing Workplace 1950’s Automation: 1947 -1957 �factory workers decreased by 4. 3%, eliminating

A Changing Workplace 1950’s Automation: 1947 -1957 �factory workers decreased by 4. 3%, eliminating 1. 5 million blue-collar jobs. By 1956 �more white-collar than blue-collar jobs in the U. S. Computers �Mark I (1944). First IBM mainframe computer (1951). Corporate Consolidation: By 1960 � 600 corporations (1/2% of all U. S. companies) accounted for 53% of total corporate income. WHY? ? Cold War military buildup.

VI. Changes in the Workplace 1950’s A. Rise of white collar workers: 1. Clerical

VI. Changes in the Workplace 1950’s A. Rise of white collar workers: 1. Clerical and professional 2. Conformity at the expense of creativity 3. Outnumbered those who manufactured products

1950’s A Changing Workplace New Corporate Culture: “The Company Man” 1956 �Sloan Wilson’s The

1950’s A Changing Workplace New Corporate Culture: “The Company Man” 1956 �Sloan Wilson’s The Man in the Gray Flannel Suit

1950’s The Other America

1950’s The Other America

1950’s VII. The Other America A. distribution of wealth unequal B. 42. 5 million

1950’s VII. The Other America A. distribution of wealth unequal B. 42. 5 million Americans (1 in 4 were classified as poor) C. ½ African Americans ½ Native Americans – below poverty line

1950’s The Baby Boom

1950’s The Baby Boom

1950’s Baby Boom It seems to me that every other young housewife I see

1950’s Baby Boom It seems to me that every other young housewife I see is pregnant. -- British visitor to America, 1958 1957 � 1 baby born every 7 seconds

1950’s VIII. The Baby Boom A. Marriage and family was the key to happiness

1950’s VIII. The Baby Boom A. Marriage and family was the key to happiness B. More $ = more babies 1. birthrate increased dramatically IX. Impact on the Economy A. The baby boom helped fuel the economic growth of the 1950’s B. Factories had to expand to keep peace

1950’s Baby Boom Dr. Benjamin Spock and the Anderson Quintuplets

1950’s Baby Boom Dr. Benjamin Spock and the Anderson Quintuplets

1950’s Film Clip: A Date with Your Family Values Documentary

1950’s Film Clip: A Date with Your Family Values Documentary

Suburban Living 1950’s Levittown, L. I. : “The American Dream” 1949 �William Levitt produced

Suburban Living 1950’s Levittown, L. I. : “The American Dream” 1949 �William Levitt produced 150 houses per week. $7, 990 or $60/month with no down payment.

Housing Crisis A. After WWII severe housing crisis 1950’s 1. Veterans returning home 2.

Housing Crisis A. After WWII severe housing crisis 1950’s 1. Veterans returning home 2. baby boom Mass production of Homes A. William Levitt – pioneer of mass production of houses 1. a home built every 16 seconds Gadgets and Gismos A. New home technological advances made home maintenance less burdensome

Prefabricated Housing

Prefabricated Housing

Suburban Living

Suburban Living

Suburban Living: 1950’s The New “American Dream” k 1 story high k 12’x 19’

Suburban Living: 1950’s The New “American Dream” k 1 story high k 12’x 19’ living room k 2 bedrooms k tiled bathroom k garage k small backyard k front lawn By 1960 � 1/3 of the U. S. population in the suburbs.

1950’s Growth of the Suburbs A. 1951 – Bulletin of Atomic Scientist encouraged people

1950’s Growth of the Suburbs A. 1951 – Bulletin of Atomic Scientist encouraged people to move away from urban areas to prevent mass death during an atomic bomb B. GI Bill and Federal Housing Authority – gave loans to people to buy homes C. Between 1950 – 1970 – suburban population doubled from 36 million to 74 million

1950’s Growth of the Suburbs D. Space for children to play E. Segregation and

1950’s Growth of the Suburbs D. Space for children to play E. Segregation and Discrimination 1. Minorities couldn’t afford to move to suburbs 2. Many suburban communities had laws and rule forbidding minorities from moving in 3. FHA refused to give loans to non-whites and Jews

1950’s Suburban Living SHIFTS IN POPULATION DISTRIBUTION, 1940 -1970 Central Cities Suburbs Rural Areas/

1950’s Suburban Living SHIFTS IN POPULATION DISTRIBUTION, 1940 -1970 Central Cities Suburbs Rural Areas/ Small Towns 1940 31. 6% 19. 5% 48. 9% U. S. Bureau of the Census. 1950 32. 3% 23. 8% 43. 9% 1960 32. 6% 30. 7% 36. 7% 1970 32. 0% 41. 6% 26. 4%

As you listen to the song “Little Boxes” 1950’s think about the following questions:

As you listen to the song “Little Boxes” 1950’s think about the following questions: • What is the mood of this song? • What are the “little boxes” in the first verse of the song? • Why does the singer say they are made of “ticky-tacky”? • What do “little boxes” symbolize throughout the song?

1950’s Women’s Roles

1950’s Women’s Roles

1950’s Well-Defined Gender Roles The ideal modern woman married, cooked and cared for her

1950’s Well-Defined Gender Roles The ideal modern woman married, cooked and cared for her family, and kept herself busy by joining the local PTA and leading a troop of Campfire Girls. She entertained guests in her family’s suburban house and worked out on the trampoline to keep her size 12 figure. -- Life magazine, 1956 Marilyn Monroe The ideal 1950 s man was the provider, protector, and the boss of the house. -- Life magazine, 1955 1956 �William H. Whyte, Jr. �The Organization Man A a middle-class, white suburban male is the ideal.

Well-Defined Gender Roles 1950’s Changing Sexual Behavior: Alfred Kinsey: 1948 �Sexual Behavior in the

Well-Defined Gender Roles 1950’s Changing Sexual Behavior: Alfred Kinsey: 1948 �Sexual Behavior in the Human Male 1953 �Sexual Behavior in the Human Female v v Premarital sex was common. Extramarital affairs were frequent among married couples. Kinsey’s results are an assault on the family as a basic unit of society, a negation of moral law, and a celebration of licentiousness. -- Life magazine, early 1950 s

1950’s X. Women ‘s Jobs Lost to Returning GIs XI. Media Reinforced Gender Roles

1950’s X. Women ‘s Jobs Lost to Returning GIs XI. Media Reinforced Gender Roles A. women’s primary role was as wives and mothers. B. poor, non-white women remained in low-income jobs C. 2/3 of women dropped out of college

1950’s

1950’s

1950’s

1950’s

Progress Through Science 1950’s 1951 -- First IBM Mainframe Computer 1952 -- Hydrogen Bomb

Progress Through Science 1950’s 1951 -- First IBM Mainframe Computer 1952 -- Hydrogen Bomb Test 1953 -- DNA Structure Discovered 1954 -- Salk Vaccine Tested for Polio 1957 -- First Commercial U. S. Nuclear Power Plant 1958 -- NASA Created 1959 -- Press Conference of the First 7 American Astronauts

Progress Through Science 1950’s 1957 �Russians launch SPUTNIK I 1958 �National Defense Education Act

Progress Through Science 1950’s 1957 �Russians launch SPUTNIK I 1958 �National Defense Education Act

Progress Through Science 1950’s UFO Sightings skyrocketed in the 1950 s. War of the

Progress Through Science 1950’s UFO Sightings skyrocketed in the 1950 s. War of the Worlds Hollywood used aliens as a metaphor for whom ? ?

1950’s Film Clip: Entertainment of the 1950’s

1950’s Film Clip: Entertainment of the 1950’s

Television * TV was able to reach millions 1950’s 1946 � 7, 000 TV

Television * TV was able to reach millions 1950’s 1946 � 7, 000 TV sets in the U. S. 1950 � 50, 000 TV sets in the U. S. Television is a vast wasteland. �Newton Minnow, Chairman of the Federal Communications Commission, 1961 Mass Audience �TV celebrated traditional American values. Truth, Justice, and the American way!

1950’s The Typical TV Suburban Families The Donna Reed Show 1958 -1966 Leave It

1950’s The Typical TV Suburban Families The Donna Reed Show 1958 -1966 Leave It to Beaver 1957 -1963 Father Knows Best 1954 -1958 The Ozzie & Harriet Show 1952 -1966

Television – The Western Davy Crockett 1950’s King of the Wild Frontier Sheriff Matt

Television – The Western Davy Crockett 1950’s King of the Wild Frontier Sheriff Matt Dillon, Gunsmoke The Lone Ranger (and his faithful sidekick, Tonto): Who is that masked man? ?

Television - Family Shows 1950’s Glossy view of mostly middle-class suburban life. But. .

Television - Family Shows 1950’s Glossy view of mostly middle-class suburban life. But. . . I Love Lucy Social Winners? . . . The Honeymooners AND… Loosers?

The Culture of the Car 1950’s Car registrations: 1945 � 25, 000 1960 �

The Culture of the Car 1950’s Car registrations: 1945 � 25, 000 1960 � 60, 000 2 -family cars doubles from 1951 -1958 Pink Cadillac 1959 Chevy Corvette 1956 �Interstate Highway Act �largest public works project in American history! Å Cost $32 billion. Å 41, 000 miles of new highways built.

The Culture of the Car The U. S. population was on the move in

The Culture of the Car The U. S. population was on the move in the 1950 s. 1950’s NE & Mid-W �S & SW (“Sunbelt” states) 1955 �Disneyland opened in Southern California. (40% of the guests came from outside California, most by car. ) Frontier Land Main Street Tomorrow Land

1950’s The Culture of the Car America became a more homogeneous nation because of

1950’s The Culture of the Car America became a more homogeneous nation because of the automobile. First Mc. Donald’s (1955) Drive-In Movies Howard Johnson’s

1950’s Teen Culture In the 1950 s �the word “teenager” entered the American language.

1950’s Teen Culture In the 1950 s �the word “teenager” entered the American language. By 1956 � 13 mil. teens with $7 bil. to spend a year. 1951 �“race music” �“ROCK ‘N ROLL” Elvis Presley �“The King”

Teen Culture 1950’s “Juvenile Delinquency” ? ? ? 1951 �J. D. Salinger’s A Catcher

Teen Culture 1950’s “Juvenile Delinquency” ? ? ? 1951 �J. D. Salinger’s A Catcher in the Rye Marlon Brando in The Wild One (1953) James Dean in Rebel Without a Cause (1955)

Teen Culture 1950’s The “Beat” Generation: A group of American writers and artists popular

Teen Culture 1950’s The “Beat” Generation: A group of American writers and artists popular in the 1950 s and early 1960 s, influenced by Eastern philosophy and religion and known especially for their use of nontraditional forms and their rejection of conventional social values. Jack Kerouac �On The Road Allen Ginsberg �poem, “Howl” Neal Cassady William S. Burroughs “Beatnik” “Clean” Teen

1950’s Teen Culture Behavioral Rules of the 1950 s: § Obey Authority. § Control

1950’s Teen Culture Behavioral Rules of the 1950 s: § Obey Authority. § Control Your Emotions. § Don’t Make Waves �Fit in with the Group. § Don’t Even Think About Sex!!!

1950’s Film Clip: Dating Do’s and Don’ts for Teenagers

1950’s Film Clip: Dating Do’s and Don’ts for Teenagers

1950’s The 50 s Come to a Close 1959 �Nixon-Khrushchev “Kitchen Debate” Cold War

1950’s The 50 s Come to a Close 1959 �Nixon-Khrushchev “Kitchen Debate” Cold War -----> Tensions <----- Technology & Affluence

1950’s Show what you know! • Work with your partner to create an ACROSTIC

1950’s Show what you know! • Work with your partner to create an ACROSTIC of life in America during the 1950’s

1950’s Wrap-Up Discussion The postwar era witnessed tremendous economic growth and rising social contentment

1950’s Wrap-Up Discussion The postwar era witnessed tremendous economic growth and rising social contentment and conformity. Yet in the midst of such increasing affluence and comfortable domesticity, social critics expressed a growing sense of unease with American culture in the 1950 s. Assess the validity of the above statement and explain how the decade of the 1950 s laid the groundwork for the social and political turbulence of the 1960 s.