1. Growing up in the 1950s in Canada

2. Mind-Map-Expanding the Map
When we did our first mind-mapping with the textbooks, you identified that “Baby Boom” and “Teenagers” and “Elvis Presley” are key concepts that we learn about during this period.
Today we are going to look at these post-it notes-Concepts

3. Take out your mind-maps and let’s expand together based on what we learned last class
Cold War
The atomic bomb and tension
Ideas-capitalism and communism
Movement from the Cold war to a Hot War
2 blocs-East (USSR) and West (USA)
Government-Safety
Territory and protection of boundaries-AIR, LAND and SEA
Relocation of the Inuit to Ellesmere Island-Sovereignty

4. Where do you think that we should put TEEN CULTURE on this Mind Map?

6. HAIRSPRAY
Tracy Turnblad, is a teenager who has all the right dance moves and is obsessed with the Corny Collins Show. Every day after school, she and best friend Penny run home to watch the show and drool over the hot Link Larkin.
After one of the stars of the show leaves, Corny Collins holds auditions to see who will be the next person on the Corny Collins show.

7. Hairspray continued...
With all of the help of her friend Seaweed, Tracy makes it on the show, angering the evil dance queen Amber Von Tussle and her mother Velma.
Tracy then decides that it's not fair that the black kids can only dance on the Corny Collins Show once a month, and with the help of Seaweed, Link, Penny, Motormouth Maybelle, her father and Edna, she's going to integrate the show.....without denting her 'do!

8. Hairspray—an introduction to Teen culture

9. I statement responses to the film clip…
I see…
I hear…
I think…
I wish…
I want…
I wonder…
I want to know more about…
If only…

10. Background stats-Canada in the 1950s
Prime Minister was: Louis St. Louis
Population of Canada was: 13,712,000; now it is 33, 000,000
British 48%; French 31%
Rural population:43%
Urban Population: 57%
Under 20 years old 5,100,000 (est) (37%)
Provinces: 10; Newfoundland joined Confederation in 1949
Life Expectancy: 68 years; now it is 82 years
Radio Stations: 120; now there are over 700
Average Hourly Wage$1.20 ; now in Ontario it is $10.25/hour

11. Post-War Period meant lots of changes in Canada
Several hundred thousand Canadian veterans returned after serving in the army and navy and air force in the war
Some rejoined their families and others started new families
Some brought home their war brides and children born during the war
Emigration from Britain and Europe were welcomed

12. Increase in birth rate = BABY BOOM

15. Canada became a youth-centered society
Increase in production of toys
Child-care products
Bicycles
New schools were built
Big shortage in number of teachers
Classrooms were overcrowded
Many new immigrants became teachers

17. Teenagers in the 1950s Ages 13-19 saw themselves as a distinct group
They had leisure time and spending money
Canadian society was very strict and conservative. For example, teenagers who wore blue jeans to school were suspended

19. Teenagers Rebel. If you were a 1950s teenager you would…
rebel against things in society that were too formal.
You would speak your own language, listen to your own music, and have your own fashion style
You wanted to have an impact on society
You might have had a Generation Gap between you and your parents
You had a fear of not fitting in. Of your friends calling you an “odd-ball” or “different” You wanted to be part of the “in-crowd”

20. 5 different groups of 1950s teenagers—which one would you fit into
5 different groups of 1950s teenagers—which one would you fit into? Or would you not fit into any of these categories?
Hipsters
Popular teens that had presence and style
They were the dominant group

21. Rockers and Hoods Interested in car engines and motorcycles
Not very interested in school
Have greasy long hair
Wear black leather jackets and blue jeans

23. Beatniks Non-traditional group
Wear black clothes, dark sunglasses, long hair, beards for men and straight hair for women
Read and speak progressive poetry, like music and art
Like to go to dark coffee houses where dark music and jazz are played

25. Squares Dress and behave as clones of their parents
“old-fashioned” and “odd balls”
Do well in school

26. Teeny boppers Young teens and pre-teens (12-14 year olds)
Trying to be like older teens

27. What are some of the things that define teenagers?

28. One of the things that was most common in all of this was music!

29. Back to Hairspray… Run and tell. http://www. youtube. com/watch

30. Dancing Shows American Bandstand
Dancing shows were important because learn about this music and dances on dance shows, which was a way of connecting a larger youth culture.
American Bandstand clip

31. Dancing shows were important because learn about this music and dances on dance shows, which was a way of connecting a larger youth culture.

32. But they were very keen about creating a wholesome image so there were rules about dancers and dancing. The producers tried to continue this idea of segregation and "white-afying" by mainly having white dancers or to have same-race dance partners

34. The arrival of “Rock n’ Roll”
Then “Rock & Roll” started to emerge:
Soon a whole culture grew out of music, dancing, and record albums.
In Toronto, kids waited each week for the Chum Charts which would tell them the top 40.

35. Chum Chart, 1959

36. Segregation in American South led to “Black Music” vs. “White Music”
Songs started to have cross-over appeal when white bands would cover the songs and slow down the rhythm to “take out the edge”
Reason: Moral Panic about the movement and “sexuality” of the music.
There was a lot of racist ideas that these “tribal rhythms” were demonizing white kids.
So these covers were changed so that the songs could be played on the Top 40 “white” radio stations.

37. Cadillac Car from Dream Girls

38. Dance and Segregation
Black Toronto teens at a dance in Buffalo, New York, 1959
This was not just an issue in the American South because it resonated here is Toronto
But they were very keen about creating a wholesome image so there were rules about dancers and dancing. The producers tried to continue this idea of segregation and "white-afying" by mainly having white dancers or to have same-race dance partners
This was not just an issue in the American South because it resonated here is Toronto
CBC Archive clip

39. Parent’s Music in comparison with Youth Music Two songs from 1951
Music played a larger role in this because early in the 1950s the majority of the music playing on the radio was similar music to what parents had to listen. These teens were looking for something else.

40. Let’s go back to the map…
Going back to the map-what can we add now
--under what categories can we add concepts?
Think of some concepts you can remember from today’s class.

41. The Twist
The Twist
Twist – The twist was one of those dances that developed because of the dancing shows and continued the moral panic. Was extronidarly popular amongst teenagers and eventually adults.
Handout Chum Charts with Chubby Checker
Twist clip