1. American Culture in the 1950’s
Mr. Marinello * US History

2. Television
The relatively new medium of Television became wildly popular in the 1950’s
The television brings entertainment into the homes of Americans
The beginning of the downfall of the movie industry and radio industry
Advertisers took to the new medium quickly

3. The Television Show The 1950’s saw many iconic television shows Drama
Gunsmoke
Perry Mason
The Twilight Zone
Comedy
Dennis the Menace
Father Knows Best
I Love Lucy

4. Music
Music in America at the start of the 20th century was dominated by “Big Band” music
One conductor and many musicians
At the start of the 1950’s musicians begin performing a new kind of music
Rock and Roll
Rock and Roll primarily comes from African-American music
Blues
Jazz
Gospel

5. The Birth of Rock and Roll
White artists begin blending this sound with traditional country music and Rock goes mainstream
The Second Great Migration brings black and white Americans living in closer quarters than ever
Rock and Roll fused what was called “Race Music” with Country music and “European” instrumentals
“Rock this Joint” is seen as the first Rock and Roll song
Written and performed by Jimmy Preston
Made popular by Bill Haley

6. Enter Elvis Presley
Elvis Presley was a young singer from Tupelo Mississippi
Grew up dirt poor, heavily influenced by African American music the south
Presley was very popular with young people, not their parents

7. Elvis Excites the Masses
In 1956, Presley appears on the Milton Berle television show to perform his song “Hound Dog”
The Catholic Church sent a letter to the FBI Director stating:
"Presley is a definite danger to the security of the United States.
... [His] actions and motions were such as to rouse the sexual passions of teenaged youth.
After the show, more than 1,000 teenagers tried to gang into Presley's room at the auditorium. ... Indications of the harm Presley did just in La Crosse were the two high school girls
...whose abdomen and thigh had Presley's autograph.”

8. Growth of Suburbs
The GI Bill provided mortgage assistance to veterans returning from World War II
Many wanted to move out of the cities and into their own homes
Builders began creating planned communities
The quintessential suburban community in the 1950s was a Levittown
Built by William Levitt
Homes came with a green lawn, white picket fence and appliances