Communist Hysteria of the 1950s

The Dot Game Object of the Game: To begin the game, you will receive a slip of paper. Secretly check to see whether the paper is blank or has a SMALL red dot. Then hide it in your pocket and DO NOT show it to anyone during the game. Nondots win the game by forming the largest group of students who are all nondots. Dots win the game by being the only dot in a group. Procedure: You can ask others whether they are dots or nondots, but players may not reveal their slips of paper during the game. You do not have to join a group, but you cannot win the game unless you are in a group of at least two people. You can be a part of a group only if that group agrees that you are a member. If you suspect that someone is a dot, report your suspicion to the teacher. He or she will deal with the accusation appropriately.

The Dot Game Analysis Dot Game Historical Connection Make historical connections to the dot game from Ch. 15 pages 477-482 Dot Game Historical Connection Some students were dots Most students were nondots Students accused others of being dots even though they never saw other students’ slip of paper Students were to report suspected dots to the teacher. Anxiety increased as students lost trust in one another.

Historical Connection Dot Game Historical Connection Some students were dots Some Americans during the Cold War were Communist Party members or Soviet spies. Most students were nondots Most Americans were not Communist Party members or Soviet spies. Students accused others of being dots even though they never saw other students’ slip of paper HUAC, McCarthy, and others made accusations —often based only on suspicion—against Americans thought to be communists or communist sympathizers. Accusing individuals without evidence became known as McCarthyism. Americans accused of being communists or communist sympathizers were often placed on blacklists. Students were to report suspected dots to the teacher. Americans were encouraged to report suspected communist activities. Those accused included Alger Hiss and the Rosenbergs. Anxiety increased as students lost trust in one another. Anxieties were raised during the Cold War as Americans were concerned about the spread of communism and the possibility of a nuclear attack by the Soviet Union.

Homework Make a warning sign about the Atomic Age pg. 477-482. The diamond-shaped warning sign should have these things: a short phrase that summarizes the lesson learned today an icon/symbol related to the warning a wordy description that more fully explains the lesson learned and includes at least two Key Content Terms. Place below or behind the warning sign. Use the following terms: Atomic Age, Civil Defense, Federal Civil Defense Administration, Preparedness, Operation Alert Drills As the United States fought the Cold War at home, HUAC, the House Un-American Activities Committee, accused many people of . . .

Homework terms to know Atomic Age Civil Defense Federal Civil Defense Administration Preparedness Operation Alert Drills

Peace, Prosperity, and Progress THE 1950s: Peace, Prosperity, and Progress

Postwar Politics: Readjustments and Challenges A Rocky Transition to Peace Truman’s “Fair Deal” Tried to help society by increasing minimum wage, aid to farmers and education Inflation War contracts are over, unemployment rises Price controls are over, prices rise

Postwar Politics: Readjustments and Challenges Truman battles the Republican Congress 22nd Amendment: presidential term limits Taft-Hartley Act: reduced the power of labor unions Congress resists civil rights changes Truman fights back by desegregating the military Election of 1948 Truman narrowly wins (huge surprise)

Eisenhower’s “modern Republicanism”

Economic Growth Creates an Age of Affluence Americans saved a lot of money during WWII, leads to: Consumer demand ↑ Production ↑ Advertising ↑ Buying on Credit ↑ “Planned Obsolescence” Ex. Seasonal fashions The Economy Begins to Shift from Goods to Services New Vocab: Service Sector Ex. Motels and Fast food franchises

“Planned Obsolescence”

1950  Introduction of the Diner’s Card Consumerism 1950  Introduction of the Diner’s Card All babies were potential consumers who spearheaded a brand-new market for food, clothing, and shelter. -- Life Magazine (May, 1958)

Consumerism

A Changing Workplace New Corporate Culture: Blue Collar to White Collar Jobs “The Company Man” 1956  Sloan Wilson’s The Man in the Gray Flannel Suit

Marriage, Families, and a Baby Boom Increase in marriages (Decrease in marriage age) “Baby Boom” Results: ↑ in consumer spending ↑ in home sales ↑ in schools

Average age of first marriages

1957  1 baby born every 7 seconds Baby Boom It seems to me that every other young housewife I see is pregnant. -- British visitor to America, 1958 1957  1 baby born every 7 seconds

Well-Defined Gender Roles The ideal modern woman married, cooked and cared for her family, and kept herself busy by joining the local PTA and leading a troop of Campfire Girls. She entertained guests in her family’s suburban house and worked out on the trampoline to keep her size 12 figure. -- Life magazine, 1956 The ideal 1950s man was the provider, protector, and the boss of the house. -- Life magazine, 1955 1956  William H. Whyte, Jr.  The Organization Man a middle-class, white suburban male is the ideal.

$7,990 or $60/month with no down payment. Suburbia Levittown, L. I.: “The American Dream” 1949  William Levitt produced 150 houses per week. $7,990 or $60/month with no down payment.

Suburban Living: The New “American Dream” 1 story high 12’x19’ living room 2 bedrooms tiled bathroom garage small backyard front lawn By 1960  1/3 of the U. S. population in the suburbs. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5mGTLrI8rxQ&feature=related

SHIFTS IN POPULATION DISTRIBUTION, 1940-1970 Suburban Living SHIFTS IN POPULATION DISTRIBUTION, 1940-1970 1940 1950 1960 1970 Central Cities 31.6% 32.3% 32.6% 32.0% Suburbs 19.5% 23.8% 30.7% 41.6% Rural Areas/ 48.9% 43.9% 36.7% 26.4% Small Towns *Population also shifts to the “Sunbelt” states.

Suburban Living: The Typical TV Suburban Families http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CbkTmvz0q7E The Donna Reed Show 1958-1966 Leave It to Beaver 1957-1963 Father Knows Best 1954-1958 The Ozzie & Harriet Show 1952-1966

The Culture of the Car America became a more homogeneous nation because of the automobile. First McDonald’s (1955) Drive-In Movies Howard Johnson’s

1950’s Gender Roles