Do Now: Read “The Beat Generation” and answer the questions below… 1. Based on what you just read, how did artists and writers of the Beat Generation try to overcome conformity of the 1950’s? Discuss and write in your notebook.   2. Do you see any connections to today? Discuss and write in your notebook.

The 1950s: Conformity The “beat movement”: who were the “Beatniks”? “Beatniks” were artists & writers who rejected conformity Originated in Greenwich Village, NY Played off of the Lost Generation after WWI F. Scott Fitzgerald, John Steinbeck, J.R.R. Tolkien Rebelled against conformity (suburbs, consumer goods, & “regular jobs”) Emphasized alcohol, drugs, sex, jazz, and a vagabond lifestyle Led by Jack Kerouac, the beats inspired the “hippies” of the 1960s VIDEO Ideal man? Ideal woman? Family expectations? Social expectations? Keeping up with the Joneses? White America?

Which society would YOU have rather lived in? How does American society in the Affluent 1950s compare to American society in the Roaring 1920s after WWI? Which society would YOU have rather lived in?

Aim: Was Eisenhower a successful president during the Cold War? Presidential term: January 20, 1953 – January 20, 1961

VIDEO Ad Known as “Ike” WWII war hero Republican – but moderate WHILE YOU WATCH: Dwight David Eisenhower enjoyed immense popularity when he was president between 1953 and 1961. What was Eisenhower’s appeal? Why was he so popular? VIDEO Known as “Ike” WWII war hero Republican – but moderate Conservative economics but liberal social policy Ad

President Eisenhower escalated the Cold War by using brinkmanship: threatening to use nuclear weapons & willingness to go to the brink of war If the USSR attacked a NATO member, the U.S. would use massive retaliation: attack every major Soviet city & military target The USA & USSR began stockpiling nuclear weapons & building up their militaries

“Don’t Be Afraid – I Can Always Pull you Back “Don’t Be Afraid – I Can Always Pull you Back.” Herblock, 1958 What idea is being expressed in the cartoon?

It was believed that if both countries (USA and USSR) had TOO many nuclear weapons then they couldn’t use them because of Mutually Assured Destruction (MAD)

In response to the threat of a Soviet nuclear attack, Congress created the Interstate Highway System in 1956 41,000 miles of highway connected U.S. cities and promoted trade & travel Highways served as a means to evacuate cities during a potential nuclear attack!

1956: the Soviet Union threatened expansion into the Middle East U.S.-Soviet relations changed in 1953 when Stalin died after 30 years of absolute rule over the Soviet Union Nikita Khrushchev took over and began to aggressively challenge U.S. influence in the world 1955: Khrushchev formed a communist alliance to rival NATO, called the Warsaw Pact 1956: the Soviet Union threatened expansion into the Middle East President Eisenhower responded with the Eisenhower Doctrine, pledging the USA to protect the Middle East from Communism

Quick Class Discussion: Which part of the world did the U.S. promise to protect in the (a) Monroe Doctrine, (b) Roosevelt Corollary, (c) Truman Doctrine, and (d) Eisenhower Doctrine?

What happened during the U2 Spy Plane Incident? Document Analysis Read the 3 documents titled, “The U-2 Incident, 1960” Answer the questions that follow… What happened during the U2 Spy Plane Incident? U2 Spy Plane Incident US spy plane shot down over USSR Pilot SURVIVES! Result = Cold War tensions flair up!

“Wonder why we’re not keeping pace “Wonder why we’re not keeping pace?” Herblock, Washington Post 1961 What’s the main idea of the cartoon? What “launch” is going to put the USSR ahead?

1957: the USSR launched Sputnik, the first satellite into space Sputnik shocked Americans who feared the U.S. had fallen behind the USSR in science & technology As a result of Sputnik, the Cold War escalated into a SPACE RACE to show American & Soviet dominance

The U.S. government reacted to Sputnik by passing the National Defense Education Act to promote math, science, and technology education and to fund university research

NASA’s original seven NASA Mercury astronauts The USSR repeatedly beat the USA in space by launching the first man into orbit & orbiting the moon In 1958, the USA created National Aeronautics & Space Administration (NASA) to catch up to the USSR NASA’s original seven NASA Mercury astronauts

Americans seemed to be losing the technology race against the USSR By 1960, Eisenhower’s presidency was coming to an end and the Cold War was as tense as ever! Eisenhower’s effectively limited communist expansion during his eight years as president …but… Eisenhower’s build-up of nuclear weapons & use of brinkmanship created the potential for nuclear annihilation Americans seemed to be losing the technology race against the USSR

Truman successfully contained communism in Western Europe… Presidents Truman and Eisenhower experienced successes and failures in the Cold War with the USSR Truman successfully contained communism in Western Europe… Eisenhower used the CIA & brinkmanship to limit Soviet global influence… …but saw communism to spread in Asia & the USSR match America’s nuclear weaponry …but the USSR was winning the space race & Americans were anxious about a nuclear war TAKE A PIC!

Aim: Was Eisenhower a successful president during the Cold War? Final Summary Aim: Was Eisenhower a successful president during the Cold War?