2. HOOK HOOK : HOOK Based on what you know about the 1950’s from watching classic TV shows and old movies, reading books, or talking to people who lived during the decade, what are two adjectives that describe what you think the fifties were like?

3. Peace Prosperity Progress Peace, Prosperity, and Progress America in the 1950’s

4. The Eisenhower Era Begins… “A Return to Normalcy!”“A Return to Normalcy!” 1950’s full of optimism1950’s full of optimism –But there are challenges to this optimism ! Ex: Ex: Korean War, McCarthyism, battles for Civil Rights.

5. Military Buildup and Anticommunism Atomic Weapons) ContainmentNew focus on building up military strength, ( Atomic Weapons) and Containment. Impacts social values in the country=Impacts social values in the country= –Air raid drills, taught anticommunist is heroic, promotes moral behaviors. drills

6. Bomb Shelters and the Nuclear Family… BOMB SHELTERSNew trends= BOMB SHELTERS (Fallout Shelter) family togethernessBecame a symbol of “family togetherness.” NUCLEARShelters reinforce the NUCLEAR family!

7. Fallout Shelter…

8. The Booming Economy… “Big Spender”“Big Spender” highestStandard of living highest in American history!! (60% middle class) GI Bill, savings during wartime, and Congressional tax cuts spur this spending. Certain sectors, including minorities, had less access to the increased wealth.

9. The Baby Boom Postwar economy left Americans with more money to support larger families.Postwar economy left Americans with more money to support larger families. Veterans returning home from war…Veterans returning home from war… Encouraged to marry young!Encouraged to marry young! Population grows to 179 million!Population grows to 179 million!

10. Prefabricated Houses The country lacked places for the rising population to live.The country lacked places for the rising population to live. Federal Government pushed the housing industry to increase construction of houses, but make them affordable =Federal Government pushed the housing industry to increase construction of houses, but make them affordable = William Levitt and his “Levittowns!”William Levitt and his “Levittowns!” Designed for the needs of a homemaker, with new gadgets!Designed for the needs of a homemaker, with new gadgets!

11. Suburban Living: The numbers living in the suburbs increases=The numbers living in the suburbs increases= – depopulation of urban centers=mass destruction with bombs less likely –Housing there is cheaper! Suburbia BOOSTS the economy:Suburbia BOOSTS the economy: Unions less likely Depend more on cars Built better roads Life in Suburbia:Life in Suburbia: Barbeques and cocktail parties Children playing in neighborhoods Segregation and discrimination in suburbs *Suburbia is criticized for its isolation, conformity, and lack of individuality!

12. “Little Boxes” “Little Boxes”

13. Women’s Roles… Women lose jobs to returning GI’s so… pushed to become homemakers! homemakers Media reinforces proper gender roles, so…Media reinforces proper gender roles, so… Drop in female college enrollment and careers.

15. America takes to the ROAD… automobileNew love affair with the automobile= money to spend, suburban living requires transportation, and it is status symbol of wealth! Has an impact on family life –Housewives no longer stuck at home –Teenagers get licenses –Drive in movies and diners –Also creates construction, traffic jams, and pollution!

16. Automobiles and Suburbia Automobiles and Suburbia

17. The Rise of Television! By the end of the decade, 88% of American Families at least had 1 TV set. TV shows reinforce stereotypes of man as the worker/provider and women as the homemaker. –Ex: I Love Lucy, Father Knows Best (all middle class families)

18. The Rise of Rock and Roll… http://www.spike.com/video- clips/w2z4zs/elvis-presley-the-ed-sullivan- shows-the-performanceshttp://www.spike.com/video- clips/w2z4zs/elvis-presley-the-ed-sullivan- shows-the-performances

19. Elvis P P P P P rrrr eeee ssss llll eeee yyyy ---- King of Rock and Roll!! “Rock and Roll”New teenage religion= “Rock and Roll” Elvis given credit of creating this controversial new music! Has African American roots –Its rhythm and blues sound “King of Rock and Roll!”