American Life in the 50s

Bell Work What do you know about American life in the 50’S Who was president? How did the American family look? What shape was the economy in?

Eisenhower and Prosperity End of WWII Eisenhower wins the election with his promise of American prosperity Eisenhower delivers- expanding social security, dep of health care, education and welfare. Increased minimum wage Highway act of 1956- 32 billion was spent to build 41,000 miles of roads around the country Led to increase automobile sales

American family Baby Boom -The return of soldiers from WWII led to a major increase in U.S. Births Population grew by more than 30 million people The Baby Boom and the Interstate construction led to the growth of the suburb life style Suburb- residential areas surrounding a city

Why do you think the contractions of the interstate led to the growth of the suburbs? Talk with your table partner and be prepared to share Write down your answer

Bell Work How do you think advertising helps or hurts a product on the market? Are you susceptible to T.V or radio commercials?

American dream(consumerism) War production led to strong economy after WWI The economy led to spending power by young Americans The effects of rationing also led to the growth of the consumer appetite Most popular items: Cars, televisions, washing machines,refrigerators,

Consumerism In the 1950s the overall economy grew by 37%. ● By the end of the decade the median American Family had 30% more purchasing power than at the beginning. ● Unemployment during the decade dropped to as low as 4.5% ● People of the time had been living with the bare essentials for 2 decades. The Great Depression and the War had severely halted spending. ● In the 50’s the boosted economy caused people to want to spend, and spend they did

Consumerism In the 1950’s, the Consumer was considered a Patriotic Citizen. ● Product Placement was huge, and TV shows were always placed in a house filled to the brink with all the latest consumer goods. ● People had more money to spend, and more and more items

Television Advertising changed to a new revolutionary media. ● The first major television commercials aired to an ever growing number of viewers ● TV and Radio expenditures shot up to 2 billion dollars every year in 1957 ● By 1949 250,000 Television were being bought every month ● TV commercials were an extremely effective way of informing the public of new “must have”

How do you think that the rise of consumerism led to the technology and the economy of today? Think of a time when you bought an item based off of great advertising

Bell Work/Planner Check How do you define conformity?

Pressure to conform Many Americas felt pressure to conform to the “perfect suburban lifestyle” American women praised for being homemakers Limiting women to this role Stepping outside this role would only include being a secretary, a teacher, or a nurse Led to the Beatniks – a group of poets and writers criticizing the “square society” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N2S3BlEBlg4

Reflect Write down a time when you felt the need to conform to a certain role to fit in. Were you okay with this pressure? Why or Why not? Ex. In your family In a sport With your friends

Left Behind One of every five Americans lived in Poverty Cities began to decay All funds were spent on developing suburbs The demographic was primarily African American and Mexican Immigrants(Braceros)

The Projects A housing project developed by the government targeting low income tenants Project locations: Chicago, New York, Mississippi

Teens and Rock n’ Roll A new form of music rose to popularity in 1955 Derived from Jazz and Blues Let teens feel a sense of belonging Conservative families did not allow the music to be listened to in their homes Believing that the music led to questionable behavior Most influential artist: Elvis Presley

Bell Work Do you think music changes with historical events? Or do you think music evolves on its own?

Jazz Jazz Music Influential in “Roaring Twenties” Scared the older generation Originated among African Americans in New Orleans 1910’s Reached height popularity during prohibition in the 1920’s Remained “party music until the 1940’s When cool Jazz was released in the late 1940s early 1950s slowing down the tempo.

Types of Jazz New Orleans Jazz 1910- hard Swinging, improve style Swing Band-1930- hard swinging improve style Bebop 1940s- Composed at fast tempos Cool Jazz 1940s- Calmer, smoother tempo, melodic and linear Free Jazz 1950s- played without a regular tempo meter

Listen Listen to a jazz song from each era. What does to the song remind you of? Write down your answer as you listen New Orleans Jazz– Jelly Role Morton https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lcgIrAyNGGM Bebop- Charlie Parker https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F2DcGzoqf0A Swing Band Jazz- Louis Armstrong https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wyLjbMBpGDA Cool Jazz-Miles Davis https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4jF2NmMUO6E&list=PLBF7E4E4B176A3BF2 Free Jazz- Charles Mingus https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=__OSyznVDOY

Choose an appropriate song from your phone that speaks to you You will present this song Give the song title and artist Why is this song important to you? Is this song popular today? In what situation would you listen to this song?

Mental health week day 1: Disorders Mental health disorders develop in primarily young adults between 18-25 Disorders can develop genetically or from external situations DID-Dissociative identity disorder(multiple personality disorder) No clear treatment for the disorder Caused by trauma The presence of two or more personality states The personalities are referred to as alters