The 1950’s

Fashion- Clothing for Women There was a limited amount of fabric, thread, and needles Clothing was made of wool, leather, nylon, and rayon Poofy Petticoats (Loose undergarment) Multitude of Pleats (Multiple folds) Lots of bold patterns and colors Tight skirts started becoming popular

Fashion- Hair Women’s hair styles were short and pulled from their face Men’s hair was short and slicked back to look smooth and professional

Fashion- Clothing for Men Suits Sport Coats Slacks Sweaters Or Casual Wear all in similar patterns and colors Work clothes resembled the military due to most men serving in the armed forces

Background Information The United States had the world’s strongest military power. The economy was booming. New cars, suburban houses and other consumer goods were available to more people than ever. The “Baby Boom” began in 1946. A record of 3.4 million babies were born in the United States. After World War 2 many people were eager to have children because they thought the future would hold peace.

Background Information The 1950’s was also an era of conflict Many Americans began to speak out against inequality and injustice during this time period. A growing number of African Americans began fighting against racial discrimination. Tension between the United States and the Soviet Union also began to grow.

Politics President Eisenhower was the first president after Ulysses S. Grant who was once a soldier. The economy grew in the 1950s by 37% America was in debt, however. Around 25% of American citizens lived in poverty.

There was a threat of communism on America. The Soviet Union was obtaining new terrifying technology and weapons President Dwight Eisenhower

Music Light melodies Sweet lyrics Wholesome singers Innocent and inoffensive songs Plus black R&B music (Rhythm and Blues) The start of rock and roll Pat Boone, Rosemary Clooney and Perry Como dominated the pop charts Most songs were “feel good” tunes that reflected the mood of post WWII America

Technology in the 1950’s Technology in the 1950’s had a significant impact on the following decades. The Hydrogen Bomb was created. TV remote controls and car seat belts were invented.

Technology in the 1950’s The first effective polio vaccine was developed. The Space Age officially began when the Soviet Satellite Sputnik 1 was launched on October 4, 1957. Jack Kilby and Robert Noyce assembled the first prototype of the microchip.

Important Events First modern credit card introduced 1950. Color TV introduced 1951. Disneyland opens 1955. Peace symbol created 1958. http://history1900s.about.com/od/timelines/tp/1950timeline.htm

Works Cited 1950's Fashion. N.d. Photograph. n.p. Web. 30 Oct 2014. <http://www.oldmagazinearticles.com/Fashion_1950s_Fashion>. 2007. Photograph. n.p. Web. 30 Oct 2014. <http://www.networlddirectory.com/blogs/permalinks/10-2007/steves-vintage-color-tv-page.html>. "Fashion and Accessories of 1950's." The People History. The People History Where People Memories and History Join. Web. 30 Oct 2014. <http://www.thepeoplehistory.com/50sclothes.html>. "SPACE ABOVE & BEYOND: THE SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY OF THE 1950S." WilsonGunn. 30 Sept. 2014. Web. 30 Oct. 2014. <http://www.wilsongunn.com/who-we-are/news/2014/09/30/the-science-and-technology-of-the-1950s/>. (2014, November 2). Retrieved October 30, 2014, from http://www.shmoop.com/1950s/politics.html Vadum, M. (2013, January 16). Retrieved October 30, 2014, from http://www.frontpagemag.com/2013/matthew-vadum/oliver-stones-distortion-of-the-eisenhower-era Suri, J. (n.d.). Retrieved October 30, 2014, from http://www.gilderlehrman.org/history-by-era/postwar-politics-and-origins-cold-war/essays/postwar-politics-and-cold-war

Works Cited Was social conversation more sparkling in previous decades?. 2008. Photograph. The TelegraphWeb. 2 Nov 2014. <http://www.telegraph.co.uk/>. Presbyterian Men- late 1950's. N.d. Photograph. First Presbyterian Church, West Virginia. Web. 2 Nov 2014. <http://www.fpcparkersburg.org/>. "The 1950's." A&E Television Networks, LLC., 1 Jan. 2014. Web. 31 Oct. 2014. Rich, Michael. "The Fifties Web." Early Fifties. N.p.. Web. 30 Oct 2014. <http://www.fiftiesweb.com/tune5055.htm>.