1. 1950’s Cold War Culture

2. Review Questions
Why did the United States work to rebuild Europe and some of Asia after World War II?
What is the difference between Communism and Capitalism?
Why did the Cold War begin?
In 1949, the United States became more frightened of the Soviet Union. Why?

3. The Bomb!
Duck and Cover!

4. Communists!
People were afraid that communists were trying to take over the United States from within
This was called, the Red Scare!
Propaganda: ads created to try to spread what the government wants people to think

5. Spies Began to see spy culture in the media
Spies are people who go to countries to get information for their home country

6. Changes in the life of the Avg. American
Rise of the Middle Class
T.V.
Homes-own
Highways and Automobiles
Women and Work
Baby Boom

7. G.I. BILL OF RIGHTS
8 MILL TO SCHOOL
2 MILL HIGHER LEARNING

8. Women’s Roles
Women had worked during WWII, but the 1950s was a time when some wanted to get back to the way things used to be….

9. From a 1950s Home Economics Textbook
Follow along as your classmates read to you from this 1950s textbook. You might have read it in school, ladies!

10. Family Values
Leave it to Beaver

11. Families Families were supposed to have two parents.
Children were supposed to be clean-cut and follow the rules.
Mothers stayed at home with the kids and fathers worked.

12. Conformity! Definition: act like other people. Follow the social norm
Really important in the 1950s.
If you didn’t follow the norm, then you might be considered a communist.
Going against the norm might make you anti-American.

13. McCarthyism-Red Hunt
Wisconsin Senator Joseph McCarthy lead a political movement against communists
Searches for communist in politics, entertainment, sports, and the military
“Blacklists:” people who were not allowed to work in the entertainment industry.
Loyalty Boards: investigate whether government employees are loyal to U.S.

14. McCarthyism Cont’d

15. Berlin Wall
1961
Soviet leader Khrushchev wanted to stop East Germans from going to West Germany. Also, wanted Americans to leave Berlin.