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1950s American Culture

Date post: 22-Feb-2016
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1950s American Culture. Baby Boom. Late 1940s through to the early 1960s Became the largest generation in America’s history. 1957- a baby was born every 7 seconds!. Why a boom?. Husbands return home from war (in 1945) Age in which couples marry decreases - PowerPoint PPT Presentation
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1950s American Culture
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Page 1: 1950s  American Culture

1950s American Culture

Page 2: 1950s  American Culture

Baby Boomo Late 1940s through to the early 1960s

o Became the largest generation in America’s history

1957- a baby was born every 7 seconds!

Page 3: 1950s  American Culture

Why a boom?o Husbands return home

from war (in 1945)

o Age in which couples marry decreases

o New desirability for larger families

o Economic prosperity

Page 4: 1950s  American Culture

Suburbiao Suburban growth with economic expansion and prosperity

o Desirable option for many returning war veterans

o Based on the fulfillment of the ‘American Dream’ and the ‘good life’

o Stimulated by white migration out of busy, ‘corrupt’ cities

o Residents were mostly white and of the middle class

Page 5: 1950s  American Culture

Levittown, NYo William Levitt

o 1947-1951 housing development

o first mass produced suburb

o low monthly cost, no down payment

Page 7: 1950s  American Culture

Consumerismo Families have more money

o New homes required the purchasing of new goods

o ‘Keeping up with the Jones’

o Consumption fulfilled idea of the ‘good life’

o Material goods were a symbol of status and success

o The production of new appliances (vacuum cleaners, refrigerators, etc.) re-emphasized prominent social ideals

Page 8: 1950s  American Culture
Page 9: 1950s  American Culture

Car Cultureo Americans bought over 60 million cars in a short 10 year span

o Influential in the development of suburbia

o Rise of new services and access to leisure activities

o Interstate Highway system

Page 10: 1950s  American Culture
Page 11: 1950s  American Culture

Fashiono Bright colours

o Poodle skirts

o The bikini

o Men grew hair longer

o Beehive and Ponytail hairstyles were popular among women

Page 12: 1950s  American Culture

Toyso Hula Hoop

o Frisbee

o Barbie

o Mr. Potato Head

o Candyland, Chutes & Ladders

o Superman, Batman Comics

o Change in childhood experiences (contrast to previous generations)

Page 13: 1950s  American Culture

Televisiono Became the dominant form of entertainment

o Number of American families with TV sets grew from 8 million – 42 million over 1 decade

o Ownership was a symbol of prosperity (especially for families with the new colour TV set)

o Programs presented viewers with messages about social norms

o Television advertising began to surge also re-emphasizing societal ideals

Page 14: 1950s  American Culture

Popular Programso Sitcoms (Leave it to Beaver, Father Knows

Best)

o Musicals (American Bandstand)

o Comedy (Ed Sullivan Show)

Additional Resource: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GqMQDb9aG4A

Page 15: 1950s  American Culture

Musico Era of Rock n Roll domination

o Mix of Rhythm & Blues with Country Western

o Chuck Berry, Little Richard, Elvis Presley

o Growth of the Electric Guitar

o Concern from parents about controversial lyrics and impact of music on teenagers Additional Resource:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rOvUdZgl7vo&feature=related

Page 16: 1950s  American Culture

o Rise of science fiction film

o Adolescent targets (James Dean, “Rebel Without A Cause”)

o Musicals: “Oklahoma!”, “Singin’ in the Rain”

Movies

Page 17: 1950s  American Culture

Beat Generationo Culture of rebellious teenagers (defy

social norms)

o Anti-materialistic literary movement

o Non-conformity

o Howl (1956), On the Road (1957)

Page 18: 1950s  American Culture

Science/Technologyo DNA structure discovered (1953)

o Polio Vaccine (1955)

o Sputnik 1 launched/ U.S. Explorer 1 launched (1957)

o Organization of NASA

Page 19: 1950s  American Culture

Gender Roleso Women urged to leave the workplace after

WW2 or were laid off

o Pressure for women to stay at home

o Return to traditional roles for women

o Emphasis put on expectations by the mass media

o Gender segregated jobs

o Idea of men as the breadwinners

Additional Resource: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pq_9wu-KjTk


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