What happened in the

1850’s?

•Lincoln makes

speech “A house

divided against itself

cannot stand”

•Ad in paper reads,

“Cheap wives for poor

deserving young

men”

The atmosphere was not female and

African American friendly

Societies beliefs were primitive to say the

least. For example, burying a person with

a shovel or pickaxe just in case they were

in a coma and not actually dead. Proof of

a underdeveloped country with potential

and a great imagination.

Pro-slavery and abolitionists groups

clashed while the women’s rights

movement was not to be ignored.

Sojourner Truth's "Ain't I A Woman?" given

at the 1851 Women's Rights convention in

Akron, added fuel to the fight.

Migration created a mixture of people and

a mixture of loyalty and customs were

created. Religion became a serious issue

which intertwined with politics causing

eyebrow raising and moral questioning.

VS

Immigration caused by unjust foreign

governments pushed 4.2 million immigrants

to enter the United States during the period

of Old Immigration (1840’s and 1850’s).

Hope for a better life and labor was

motivation enough. This motivation was

also the root of the

division/diversity of the

United States.

Immigration brought cultural and religious

differences. Islamic mosques, Buddhist

and Hindu temples are seen throughout

the country. In 2000, 800 Chinese Protestant

churches were counted in the United States.

We were and are divided by our loyalty to

whom and whatever we believed in. The Pledge

of Allegiance was a way to unite the divided

people. The plan was for the people to pledge there

allegiance to where they are now considered part of

the same nation, one nation under God. Was it a form

of conformity? Were we all considered part of this great

nation?

What does Nationalism mean?

Nationalism is a political ideology that involves a

strong identification of a group of individuals with a

political entity defined in national terms, i.e. a nation. In

the 'modernist' image of the nation, it is nationalism that

creates national identity. There are various definitions for

what constitutes a nation. It can be a belief that

citizenship in a state should be limited to one ethnic,

cultural, religious, or identity group, or that multi

nationality in a single state should necessarily comprise

the right to express and exercise national identity even

by minorities.

It can also include the belief that the state is of primary importance, or the belief that one state is naturally superior to all other states. It is also used to describe a movement to establish or protect a 'homeland' (usually an autonomous state) for an ethnic group. In some cases the identification of a national culture is combined with a negative view of other races or cultures.

Conversely, nationalism might also be

portrayed as collective identities toward

imagined communities which are not

naturally expressed in language, race or

religion but rather socially constructed

by the very individuals that belong to a

given nation.

Nationalism is sometimes

reactionary, calling for a return to a

national past, and sometimes for the

expulsion of foreigners. Other forms of

nationalism are revolutionary, calling for

the establishment of an independent

state as a homeland for an ethnic

underclass.

Nationalism emphasizes collective identity -

a 'people' must be autonomous, united,

and express a single national culture.[7]

Integral nationalism is a belief that a nation

is an organic unit, with a social hierarchy,

co-operation between the different social

classes and common political goals.

However, liberal nationalists stress

individualism as an important part of their

own national identity.

What is your definition of

Nationalism?

During the 1950’s communism and

capitalism was a heated conversation

piece. The Korean War (1950-1953) and

the launch of Sputnik 1 was not far from

mind. Let’s not forget the decolonization

of Africa and Asia, the attempted

assassination of Harry S. Truman, and racial

issues. Emotions ran high

during the 1950’s.

When the war ended a lot of the

servicemen made there way back to

America to create a new life, new

families and new jobs. They brought

back with them the potential to

“BOOM”. The industries were booming

with new material not available

during the war and the

babies were booming!

Important Historic and Cultural Events1950 - Pres. Harry Truman ( 'til 1952) approves production of the hydrogen bomb and sends air force and navy to Korea in June. 1951 - Transcontinental television begins with a speech by Pres. Truman.1953 - 1961 Dwight D. Eisenhower is president.1952 - The Immigration and Naturalization Act of 1952 removes racial and ethnic barriers to becoming a U.S. citizen.1953 - Julius and Ethel Rosenberg are electrocuted for their part in W.W.II espionage.1953 - Fighting ends in Korea.1954 - U. S. Senator Joseph McCarthy begins televised hearings into alleged Communists in the army.1954 - Racial segregation is ruled unconstitutional in public schools by the U.S. Supreme Court.

Conservatism and Anticommunism

With wars beginning and ending, natural

disasters like Hurricane Diane in 1955 that

devastated the northeastern United

States and Hurricane Audrey that beat

down Cameron, LA the people needed

to have something in common and that

was that they were apart of the same

great nation whom they should pledge

there allegiance to.

A plan to unify a country divided by race,

religion, politics and war was in need of a

transformation. The Pledge of Allegiance

was to bring people to common ground.

It was a plan to reduce the tension of just

how different we all are and to keep the

Nation from turning on itself.

Rock and Roll seemed to rule

the 50’s as far as cultural

connections. Music was not

black or white it was just music.

From Sam Cooke and Little

Richard to Elvis Presley to Jerry

Lee Lewis music seemed to

connect the youth. It still does.

To each his/her own. Immigration in the 40’s prepared us for the different religious groups. Perhaps one of the things which most characterizes the 1950's was the strong element of conservatism and anticommunist feeling which ran throughout much of society. One of the best indicators of the conservative frame of mind was the addition of the phrase "under God” to the Pledge of Allegiance. Religion was seen as an indicator of anti-communism.

A House bill that excludes parochial schools from education funding is rejected by the Education and Labor Committee.

In May, two Southern Baptist seminaries are recognized, one at Berkeley, California, the other at Wake Forest, North Carolina.

On May 22, the American Baptist Convention extends an invitation to all organized Baptist Conventions (including Southern Baptists and two African-American Conferences) to join the National Baptist Convention.

The Supreme Court assumes the right to review cases of state interference in religious freedom.

The Supreme Court agrees to review the constitutional status of released-time programs for religious study in public schools in New York City.

Because of the fighting in Korea, American missionaries are no longer accepted in China.

Several Jewish synagogues are bombed in Miami, Florida.

Throughout the 1950s both unemployment and inflation remained low. At this time, though the war was over, many women kept their careers. This is evident by the constant increase in the female employment data compiled in the Economic Report of the President. From 1950 to 1959, the total number of females employed increased by 18%. The standard of living during the fifties also steadily rose. Most people expected to own a car and a house, and believed that life for their children would be even better.

Although the early development of our

nation did not encompass everyone, it was

the foundation for our laws and rights for

today. Diversity is alive and well and the

majority is slowly becoming the minority.

Under God we are all the same and a

nation of Humankind.