1950s Culture

Baby Boom

Objectives Terms What caused the Baby Boom? GI Bill Baby Boom

GI Bill. Created June 24, 1944 Effect Four million veterans bought homes with low interest government loans. A lot of veterans went to college with the money GI BILL Created to help ease soldier back into every day life. Details of Bill Gave job priority to veterans 52 weeks of unemployment monthly allowance low interest loans.

Baby Boom “It seems to me that every other young housewife I see is pregnant.” “It seems to me that every other young housewife I see is pregnant.” Baby Boom- Largest Generation in the US History Baby Boom- Largest Generation in the US History 1957  1 baby born every 7 seconds 1957  1 baby born every 7 seconds

Baby BOOM! Why? 1. More men in society due to end of WWII.  Married at a younger age then their parents ( 1 in 3 women married by age 19) 2. GI bill Helped men to start a family. 1. Medical science improved increasing the survival rate of babies. 2. High flying economy encouraged parents to have babies sooner.

Baby Boom Objectives Terms What caused the Baby Boom? Men coming home from WWII Increase in Marriages GI Bill Medical Advancements Strong Economy GI Bill Bill that gave WWII veterans financial assistance after the war. Baby Boom Largest generation in US History

Suburbia

Objectives Terms What major population trends took place in regards to Suburban and Rural living? Levittown

What is the make up of a typical House?

Suburban Living Levittown “The American Dream” 1949  William Levitt produced 150 houses per week. Levittown “The American Dream” 1949  William Levitt produced 150 houses per week. $7,990 or $60/month with no down payment.  1 story high  12’x19’ living room  2 bedrooms  tiled bathroom  garage  small backyard  front lawn

Suburb Living - Movement to Suburbs - Movement Away from Rural Areas - Movement to Suburbs - Movement Away from Rural Areas SHIFTS IN POPULATION DISTRIBUTION, Suburbs 19.5% 23.8% 30.7% Rural Areas/Small Towns 48.9% 43.9% 36.7% U. S. Bureau of the Census. By 1960  1/3 of the U. S. population in the suburbs. Suburbia Clip

Suburbia Objectives Terms What major population trends to place in regards to Suburban and Rural living? Americans moved away from rural areas and into suburban areas. Levittown Name given for standard suburban housing built in the 1950s

Television Culture and Consumerism

Consumerism Objectives Terms What trends took place in the television industry during the 1950s? What lead to the increase in consumerism during the 1950s? What were the tobacco usage trends of the 1950s? What were the trends regarding car usage in the 1950s? Interstate Highway Act

The Television Revolution 1946  7,000 TV sets in the U. S  50,000,000 TV sets in the U. S  7,000 TV sets in the U. S  50,000,000 TV sets in the U. S. Black and White Black and White

Television – The Western Davy Crockett King of the Wild Frontier The Lone Ranger (and his faithful sidekick, Tonto): Who is that masked man?? Sheriff Matt Dillon, Gunsmoke Lone Ranger

The Television Family Shows like Leave it to Beaver, and I love Lucy portrayed a perfect family life and not the reality of everyday homes. Moms were always pretty and doing domestic things Children were adventurous but obedient Dads never worked late, never lost their temper and knew all the right answers.

The Typical TV Suburban Families The Donna Reed Show Leave It to Beaver Father Knows Best Leave It to Beaver I Love Lucy The Honeymooners

Consumerism Good Economy + Advertising TV RADIO MAGAZINES NEWSPAPERS = Lots of Spending Good Economy + Advertising TV RADIO MAGAZINES NEWSPAPERS = Lots of Spending

Advertising continued…

Age of the Cigarette 1950s was the Golden Age for smoking You could smoke Anywhere Anytime Cheap Doctors Smoke

The Culture of the Car Car registrations: 1945  25,000,  60,000,000 Car registrations: 1945  25,000,  60,000,000 2-family cars doubles from family cars doubles from Interstate Highway Act Interstate Highway Act Largest public works project in American history! Largest public works project in American history!  Cost $32 billion.  41,000 miles of new highways built. First McDonald’s (1955) Drive-In Movies

Consumerism Objectives Terms What trends took place in the television industry during the 1950s TV sets increased dramatically What lead to the increase in consumerism during the 1950s? Strong Economy Advertising What were the tobacco usage trends of the 1950s? Tobacco usage very common All ages, all genders What were the trends regarding car usage in the 1950s? 2 car families and car registration doubled Interstate Highway Act Largest public works project in American history!

Gender Roles

Objectives Terms What were the ideal Gender Roles of the Males in the 1950s? What were the ideal Gender Roles of the Females in the 1950s? Duck and Cover Society

Well-Defined Gender Roles Ideal Woman Ideal Man Married Young Married Young Cooked and cared for her family Cooked and cared for her family Kept herself busy by joining local clubs Kept herself busy by joining local clubs Entertained guests Entertained guests Provider for family Provider for family Protector of family Protector of family Boss of the house Boss of the house Took care of outside work Took care of outside work Gender Roles as of Life magazine, 1955

Role of middle class women. Women were told to be “helpmates” to their husband’s and full time mothers to their children “A woman isn’t a woman until she is married and had children.” Working women were called “a menace” The ideal wife was married at 16, raised 4 children, cooked and sewed, headed the PTA and exercised to keep her size 12 figure 1950s Home Ed Book 1950s Video

Duck and Cover Society Cold War had and effect on People “Duck and Cover Society” Fear of Nuclear War Bomb shelters

Two Different Boys Mr. Tough Guy Mr. Clean Break Rules Break Rules Show anger Show anger Loner Loner Don’t bring home to visit mother Don’t bring home to visit mother Obey Authority. Obey Authority. Control Your Emotions. Control Your Emotions. Don’t Make Waves  Fit in with the Group. Don’t Make Waves  Fit in with the Group. Don’t Even Think About Sex!!! Don’t Even Think About Sex!!!

Gender Roles Objectives Terms What were the ideal Gender Roles of the Males in the 1950s? Provider for family Protector of family Boss of the house Took care of outside work What were the ideal Gender Roles of the Females in the 1950s? Married Young Cooked and cared for her family Joined local clubs Entertained guests Duck and Cover Society Fear of Nuclear War Creation of bomb shelters

Music and Fashion

Gender Roles Objectives Terms What were the major fashion trends for women in the 1950s? What were the major fashion trends for men in the 1950s? Bubble Gum Music Rock N Roll Music

Movies 1950s Movies Science Fictions 3-D Movies 1950s Movies Science Fictions 3-D Movies

1950s Music Bubble GumRock n Roll Sweet sound and nice lyrics Light Melodies Innocent Lyrics Wholesome Singers Music reflected the Post W.W.II good feelings Very new sound Exciting and racy melodies/lyrics Sex Symbols Music represented new age of kid “teenager”

1950s Fashion Women A time to wear Dresses Hourglass look is back Circle Skirt Poodle Skirt- most popular Pencil Skirt Chemise Dress Tube dress with a belt Other Trends Floral Patterns Sleeveless tops Kakis were ok for casual affairs Hair Youth- Long- Pony tails Older you get the shorter it gets or you put it up

Teenage Girls

Skits and Prom Dresses

1950’s Pants/Outfits

1950s Male Fashion A time to be comfortable but yet formal Suit jackets with stripes became as much in demand as plain colored jackets. Shirts were often short, loose, and with short sleeves. Button up shirts were the norm Plaid and Checkered patterns Leather jackets became a huge rage Formal Hats Most male preferred wearing pants made of Khaki

Shirts and Hats

1950’s Hair

Gender Roles Objectives Terms What were the major fashion trends for women in the 1950s? Dresses very popular Hourglass look back Causal – Blouse and Kakis Hair- Young – Long Old- Pull up or short What were the major fashion trends for men in the 1950s? Work- Suit and Tie Causal- Kakis and button up shirt Hair High and Tight Hats Bubble Gum Music Light Melodies Innocent Lyrics Rock N Roll Music Exciting and racy melodies/lyrics Sex Symbols

Telephone Cramming Comes to California in in America