1. How do people live the “American Dream”?
American Dream of the 1950s
How do people live the “American Dream”?

2. Corporations expand buying other companies, creating conglomerates
American Business
As business expands more people move into higher-paying white collar professions (managers, sales, clerical)
Corporations expand buying other companies, creating conglomerates
Some form franchises – like Ray Croc who bought McDonalds & franchised out the business

3. Suburban America
Middle-class whites leave the cities, go to suburbs “white flight”
Unprecedented amount of children born after the war known as the “baby boom”, family & values emphasized
Although women working outside of the home increases, 50s television also glorifies women as homemakers
Entertainment industry expands w incl. drive-in theatres & 3-D movies & comics. Sports also very popular (MLB & NFL)

4. Automobile Culture
Suburban living made the car a necessity
Good advertising & easy credit terms made cars popular
Interstate Highway System
“Automania” spurs federal govt to build a nationwide network of roads & highways
Interstate Hwy make high speed trucking possible, hurting RRs
People also flock to vacation spots like lakes, parks, and amusement parks like Disneyland

5. Pop Culture of the 50s
Television is the new form of mass media (5% of homes in 1950, 55% by 1954, 90% by 1959)
Popular shows include I Love Lucy, Honeymooners, Leave it to Beaver, Mickey Mouse Club & Howdy Doody
Quiz shows very popular – but many were “fixed”
Invention of TV Guide & TV Dinners make viewing easier
Beatniks
Beat movement starts in San Francisco, people who didn’t believe in the “mainstream” conformity of the 1950s

6. Teenagers Rock ‘N Roll 50s begins emergence of the teenager
Numerous products geared towards teens (clothes, music, hygiene)
Comics, movies & music geared toward the teenage audience
Rock ‘N Roll
Chuck Berry, Richard Penniman & Bill Haley make Rock ‘N Roll popular amongst teens
Elvis Presley brings Rock ‘n Roll into the mainstream

7. When America was Rocked
How did the Ed Sullivan Show help Elvis?
How was Elvis changing America?
How were teens influenced by rock?
How could rock n’ roll led to the turmoil of the 60s?