the 1950s a new american society. america after the war cold war begins idealistic society ...
TRANSCRIPT
America After the WarCold War begins Idealistic society
Conformity encouragedAmerican life transitioned
to suburbia Women return to traditional
rolesMore “desk jobs” than
hands-on laborSome similarities to 1920s
Postwar Economic Growth New Commercialism
Advertisements & Television
Credit Cards
Times Square, New York V-J Day
1950s Family gathered around the television
Desk jobs increased during the 1950s
Korean War• Japan had controlled the Korean peninsula many
years prior to WWII.• Korea was divided at the 38th parallel into North
Korea (communist) and South Korea (democratic)• June 1950: North Korea invaded South Korea
• North backed by Soviets and China (Mao)
• UN intervenes (brings US into conflict)
• Conflict ends with armistice (truce) in July, 1953• Two Koreas still divided today
• Conflict occasionally reignites, particularly in maritime region west of Korean peninsula
The Suburbs
Success defined by home ownership “American Dream” Focus on openness,
community, conformity Decline in urban living Populated mostly by young,
white, middle class families Husbands commuted to
cities to work, housewives raised children
Levittown leads the way 4 types of houses built in
named communities with similar sizes, yards, ect.
Levittown, PA
Ads such as this one demonstrated the kinds of homes available in Levittown
Roles of Women
Women encouraged to be homemakers “Keepers of the suburban
dream” (Time Magazine) Main role was to keep
house, raise childrenLimited job choices for
women Teachers, Nurses,
Secretaries Not for married women
M.R.S. degree Women encouraged to
use school to find a husband
Women were encouraged to work during WWII, but when the war ended, they were encouraged to return to the home
Teaching was one job available to women
Baby Boom
During the 1950s, the US population grew by 30 million people
People were getting married and having children earlier and in larger numbers than during the War years
Larger families contributed to more traditional roles for women
Large families moved to suburbia for good schools
Americans married young and more children than the previous generation
TV and Commercialism
Television debuted just after WWII
Over 45 million sold during the 1950s
Programs directed toward families and children
Best medium for new commercial-driven lifestyles Led Americans to believe
products could help perfect their lives
Could be use to sell almost anything
Concern over television destroying family meal time led to the TV Dinner in 1954
Family television time
Ad for Swanson TV Dinners
Shows like Howdy Doody were aimed at children
“I Love Lucy” was one of the most popular shows of the decade
“Teenagers” and Rock and Roll
New form of musicPopular with TeenagersElvis Presley was “King of
Rock and Roll” Influences from Gospel
and Country musicTeenagers defined as a
separate social group for the first timeEvents and Places just
for teenagersSoda shopSock hops
Elvis combined “hillbilly” music and gospel sounds to create a new kind of music
Teenagers at a sock hop
Questions
1. Name 4 characteristics that defined the 1950s.
2. Why are there two Koreas today? What are their political/economic affiliations?
3. What is the difference between an armistice and a treaty?
4. Why did many Americans move to the suburbs during the 1950s?
5. In what ways did the role of women change in the 1950s?
6. What is the baby boom? How did this impact society?
7. When did television debut? List three ways television changed American life.
8. What new form of music debuted in the 1950s?
9. List two things that were unique in American culture for teenagers.