1. Trends, People and Ideas

2. After World War II Many housing shortages when the GI’s returned home
GI Bill of Rights
United States changed from war-time to peace-time economy
The Cold War increased defense spending and unemployment rates were very low

3. How were housing shortages dealt with?
Many started moving to the suburbs in the late 1940’s and the early 1950’s
Suburbia is considered to be inexpensive homes in small residential communities near the cities; many veterans and their families moved in
Levittown-New York City (Long Island)

5. Harry S. Truman U.S. president from 1945-1952; Democrat
Truman supported civil rights for African-Americans
1947; Jackie Robinson broke color barrier in baseball 1948-Military de-segregated
Fair Deal: Truman’s plan for economic/social reforms
Dixiecrats: Southern democrats against civil rights for Blacks

7. Dwight D. Eisenhower Former military general “Ike”
Dealt with civil rights issues
Against government involvement in school de-segregation
; Republican

8. Trends, People and Ideas of the 1950’s

9. Decade of Conformity Many people wanted to be the same
Many wanted to imitate the life portrayed on television
Consumerism was also big (shopping malls)
Businessmen became very common
Many had good-paying jobs and prosperity

10. Growth of Automobile Industry
Gas was not rationed; many used the automobiles more than ever
The Interstate Highway System was constructed due to high volume of traffic and a way to evacuate quickly in case of nuclear attack
Highways connected the suburbs to the inner cities; many shopping malls sprung up in the suburbs

13. Baby Boom 1946-1964 The highest birthrate in U.S. history
Many children born due to reuniting of families after WW II, medical advances (polio vaccine by Dr. Jonas Salk), and people could afford to have many children; “American Dream”
See “Baby Boom” video

16. Role of the Mother
Many women became stay at home mothers in the 1950’s
Television glorified the role of the mother
“Leave it To Beaver”
“Ozzie and Harriet”

17. 1950’s Income
By mid 1950’s, nearly 60 percent of all Americans were middle-class
Many people were able to buy new products with credit
Advertising was very important in the 50’s

18. Pop Culture of the 1950’s
The 1950’s was the “Golden Age of Television”
By 1960, 90 percent of all American families owned a television
Many complained because there was too much violence on television

19. Television shows of the 50’s
Situation comedies were very popular
The focus was on white, suburban America
Roles were often stereotypes
African-Americans were rarely shown
See Clip of “Leave it to Beaver”

20. Popular Television Shows
“Leave it to Beaver”
“I Love Lucy”
“Gunsmoke”
“The Honeymooners”
“Ozzie and Harriet”
“American Bandstand”
“The Ed Sullivan Show”

21. American Bandstand

23. “I Love Lucy” -see clip

24. Drive-In Theatres Were Very Popular in the 1950’s

25. Pop Culture Continued
The movie industry suffered because of widespread use of television
Beat Writers: criticized conformity and materialism of mainstream culture

27. The Birth of “Rock and Roll”
1954
Elvis Presley was the biggest star
Some thought that rock-n-roll was a sign of rebellion

28. See clip-Elvis on Ed Sullivan Show

29. Minorities in the 1950’s Some did not have a prosperous lifestyle
Fewer jobs in the city; many left to live in poverty
African-American, Native-Americans and Mexican-Americans faced much discrimination