Download - 1950s popculture
19501950’s’s“The Golden Years”
Eisenhower as PresidentEisenhower as President
Promised a “middle course”Helped to make a time of growth and
prosperityIke kept most new deal programs
◦created the Depts. of Health, Education, and Welfare
◦increased minimum wage◦expanded social security
The G.I. BillThe G.I. Bill
G.I.-Government IssueServiceman
Readjustment Act◦ Provided funding for
education◦ Provided low-interest
loans for housing◦ Provided unemployment
compensation for 1 year Included women and
minorities
Employment During the 50sEmployment During the 50s
During the 1950s, businesses expanded rapidly◦White-collar jobs
more common◦Sales,
advertising, and communications
During the 1950s, businesses expanded rapidly◦White-collar jobs
more common◦Sales,
advertising, and communications
CarsCars Auto manufacturers
and oil companies vaulted to the top ranks of corporate America
Main form of transportation from the 1930s to the present
Allows suburbs to expand
Changes to car designs begins
Interstate Interstate Highway Act Highway Act
of 1956of 1956
Largest public Largest public works project in works project in American historyAmerican history
◦Cost $32 billion.Cost $32 billion.
◦41,000 mi41,000 miles of les of new highways builtnew highways built
Interstate Highway Act of Interstate Highway Act of 19561956
TravelingTraveling
Disneyland opened in 1955, it was the 1st artificial, kid friendly park
Thanks to cars and jetliners, we could go almost anywhere.
The new interstate highways made it easy for families to drive to amusement parks and tourist areas like Wisconsin Dells and Wildwood, New Jersey. ◦ Newlyweds honeymooned in the
Poconos, and many Jewish families from New York City spent their summers in the Catskills.
Thanks to cars and jetliners, we could go almost anywhere.
The new interstate highways made it easy for families to drive to amusement parks and tourist areas like Wisconsin Dells and Wildwood, New Jersey. ◦ Newlyweds honeymooned in the
Poconos, and many Jewish families from New York City spent their summers in the Catskills.
TravelingTraveling
When it came to choosing a vacation destination in the 1950s, the sky was the limit.....literally.
For those who could afford it, jet travel was considered quite glamorous, and the destinations were glamorous, too: Miami....Paris....Hawaii....Rome....Havana
Warm-weather climates, especially Florida, saw a boost in tourism thanks to jet travel and the increased use of air-conditioning
Warm-weather climates, especially Florida, saw a boost in tourism thanks to jet travel and the increased use of air-conditioning
Moving to the SuburbsMoving to the Suburbs
Levittown, L. I.: “The American Levittown, L. I.: “The American Dream”Dream”
1949 - William 1949 - William Levitt Levitt ◦Created 1Created 1stst
“suburban” “suburban” communitycommunity
◦Produced 150 Produced 150 houses per weekhouses per week
◦$7,990 or $7,990 or $60/month with no $60/month with no down payment.down payment.
New “American Dream”New “American Dream”
Suburban LivingSuburban Living
SHIFTS IN POPULATION DISTRIBUTION, SHIFTS IN POPULATION DISTRIBUTION, 1940-19601940-1960
1940 1950 1960
Central Cities
31.6% 32.3% 32.6%
Suburbs 19.5% 23.8% 30.7%
Rural Areas/Small Towns
48.9% 43.9% 36.7%
Baby boom- is a sharp increase in the US birthrate after WWII
In 1957, every 7 seconds there was a baby born.
Social Conformity
•Conform-to go along with the beliefs and ideas of the majority
•Women were the “keepers of the suburban dream”
ToysToys
Many toy fads started in the 50s, things like the slinky and silly putty were common things to find a home. Coonskin caps and Mr. Potato heads were more common for boys to play with. While girls played with hula hoops and Barbie dolls.
Many toy fads started in the 50s, things like the slinky and silly putty were common things to find a home. Coonskin caps and Mr. Potato heads were more common for boys to play with. While girls played with hula hoops and Barbie dolls.
Movies and TelevisionMovies and Television
Movies-Hollywood made many westerns, musicals, and romances
Television-50s sitcoms featured cheerful moms who kept spotless houses while the dads worked to support the family◦did not show reality-instead they showed the
“ideal” family◦most popular show I Love Lucy
Movies-Hollywood made many westerns, musicals, and romances
Television-50s sitcoms featured cheerful moms who kept spotless houses while the dads worked to support the family◦did not show reality-instead they showed the
“ideal” family◦most popular show I Love Lucy
Popular TVPopular TV
In 1946, there were 7,000 TV sets in the U. S.In 1946, there were 7,000 TV sets in the U. S. By 1950, there were 50,000,000 TV sets in the U.S.By 1950, there were 50,000,000 TV sets in the U.S.
In 1946, there were 7,000 TV sets in the U. S.In 1946, there were 7,000 TV sets in the U. S. By 1950, there were 50,000,000 TV sets in the U.S.By 1950, there were 50,000,000 TV sets in the U.S.
American BandstandAmerican Bandstand
Dick Clark’s “American Bandstand” was a way for the new artists to perform for the nation
Doo-Wop and Doo-Wop and Rock’n’RollRock’n’Roll
Doo-Wop was a form of rhythm and blues that emerged from the northeastern industrial cities, it was one of the most mainstream music styles in the 50s.Rock’n’Roll is a genre that evolved from a combination of blues, country, jazz, and gospel music.
Popular Music Popular Music
As Rock’n’Roll increased in
popularity, so did dancing. Many cities held sock hops for young people enjoy.
Teenage Teenage Life Life
•Teen trends:• going steady• Cruising• sock-hops• getting pinned• wearing your
boyfriend's class ring (on a chain orwrapped with yarn because it was too big)
• that crazy rock & roll music
• hanging out at the malt shop
• having a crush on the latest teen idol
Women’s Fashion in the 1950sWomen’s Fashion in the 1950s
Fifties clothing was conservative. Women wore dresses with pinched waists and high heels. Teens wore poodle skirts, saddle shoes, and ponytails.
1950s Fashion1950s Fashion
Men’s fashion during the 1950s consisted of gray flannel suits. Teens wore jeans, reminiscent of James Dean, with t-shirts and flat tops.
CountercultureCounterculture
Beatniks-resisted the shallowness of conformity (“square” society)◦Rock’n’Roll-was the music that “squares” did
not think was appropriate
Slang and LingoSlang and Lingo
Dig
DollyFlickHipPadPeepersRadioactiveRapSpaz
ThreadsWailWet Rag
To Understand; approve
Cute GirlMovieCoolHomeGlassesVery PopularTo tattle on someoneSomeone who is
uncoordinatedClothesGo fastSomeone who’s no
fun
ConsumerismConsumerism
Consumer - person buying goods or paying for services◦television and magazine ads picture
“ideal” homes◦include washing machines, vacuums,
televisions, and record players
Consumer - person buying goods or paying for services◦television and magazine ads picture
“ideal” homes◦include washing machines, vacuums,
televisions, and record players
1950s Advertising
1950s Advertising1950s Advertising