America in the 1950s

Tennessee Williams Born Thomas Lanier Williams on March 26, 1911 Always had desire to be a writer Tense family life -> Parent’s marriage Battled with father to write At 28, moved to New Orleans to write and became successful Became one of country’s best playwright by 1947 with A Streetcar Named Desire Cat on a Hot Tin Roof also won a Pulitzer Prize in 1955

Cat on a Hot Tin Roof Mississippi Delta of the 1950s Margaret “Maggie” Brick Big Daddy – “Mississippi Redneck” Big Momma

Cold War “National Security Rational” Federal Civil Defense Act of 1950 Korean War Heightened sense of alert

Televisions Popular mode of communications in the 50’s Lots of PSAs Duck and Cover Dinner Etiquette Present in 90% of homes by end of 1950s Advertisements Helped distract Americans from Cold War

Automobiles Military vehicle production drawn to a close by end of WWII Spurred by advertising Fueled by the war Higher wages Cheap gas Highways

Economy Decade of Prosperity G.I. Bill Credit Increased standards of living in US

References