The 1950s A New American Society

America After the War Cold War begins Idealistic society  Conformity encouraged American life transitioned to suburbia  Women return to traditional roles More “desk jobs” than hands-on labor Some similarities to 1920s  Postwar Economic Growth  New Commercialism Advertisements & Television Credit Cards Times Square, New York V-J Day 1950s Family gathered around the television Desk jobs increased during the 1950s

Korean War Japan had controlled the Korean peninsula many years prior to WWII. Korea was divided at the 38 th parallel into North Korea (communist) and South Korea (democratic) June 1950: North Korea invaded South Korea North backed by Soviets and China (Mao) UN intervenes (brings US into conflict) Conflict ends with armistice (truce) in July, 1953 Two Koreas still divided today Conflict occasionally reignites, particularly in maritime region west of Korean peninsula

The Suburbs Success defined by home ownership  “American Dream”  Focus on openness, community, conformity  Decline in urban living  Populated mostly by young, white, middle class families  Husbands commuted to cities to work, housewives raised children Levittown leads the way  4 types of houses built in named communities with similar sizes, yards, ect. Levittown, PA Ads such as this one demonstrated the kinds of homes available in Levittown

Roles of Women Women encouraged to be homemakers  “Keepers of the suburban dream” (Time Magazine)  Main role was to keep house, raise children Limited job choices for women  Teachers, Nurses, Secretaries  Not for married women M.R.S. degree  Women encouraged to use school to find a husband Women were encouraged to work during WWII, but when the war ended, they were encouraged to return to the home Teaching was one job available to women

Baby Boom During the 1950s, the US population grew by 30 million people People were getting married and having children earlier and in larger numbers than during the War years Larger families contributed to more traditional roles for women Large families moved to suburbia for good schools Americans married young and more children than the previous generation

TV and Commercialism Television debuted just after WWII Over 45 million sold during the 1950s Programs directed toward families and children Best medium for new commercial-driven lifestyles  Led Americans to believe products could help perfect their lives  Could be use to sell almost anything Concern over television destroying family meal time led to the TV Dinner in 1954 Family television time Ad for Swanson TV Dinners Shows like Howdy Doody were aimed at children “I Love Lucy” was one of the most popular shows of the decade

“Teenagers” and Rock and Roll New form of music Popular with Teenagers Elvis Presley was “King of Rock and Roll”  Influences from Gospel and Country music Teenagers defined as a separate social group for the first time  Events and Places just for teenagers Soda shop Sock hops Elvis combined “hillbilly” music and gospel sounds to create a new kind of music Teenagers at a sock hop

Questions 1.Name 4 characteristics that defined the 1950s. 2.Why are there two Koreas today? What are their political/economic affiliations? 3.What is the difference between an armistice and a treaty? 4.Why did many Americans move to the suburbs during the 1950s? 5.In what ways did the role of women change in the 1950s? 6.What is the baby boom? How did this impact society? 7.When did television debut? List three ways television changed American life. 8.What new form of music debuted in the 1950s? 9.List two things that were unique in American culture for teenagers.

How did American television impact social attitudes of the 1950s?