The 1950s A New American Society. America After the War Cold War begins Idealistic society Conformity encouraged American life transitioned to suburbia.

The 1950s

A New American Society

America After the WarCold War begins Idealistic society

Conformity encouragedAmerican life transitioned

to suburbia Women return to traditional

rolesMore “desk jobs” than

hands-on laborSome similarities to 1920s

Postwar Economic Growth New Commercialism

Advertisements & Television

Credit Cards

Times Square, New York V-J Day

1950s Family gathered around the television

Desk jobs increased during the 1950s

Korean War• Japan had controlled the Korean peninsula many

years prior to WWII.• Korea was divided at the 38th parallel into North

Korea (communist) and South Korea (democratic)• June 1950: North Korea invaded South Korea

• North backed by Soviets and China (Mao)

• UN intervenes (brings US into conflict)

• Conflict ends with armistice (truce) in July, 1953• Two Koreas still divided today

• Conflict occasionally reignites, particularly in maritime region west of Korean peninsula

The Suburbs

Success defined by home ownership “American Dream” Focus on openness,

community, conformity Decline in urban living Populated mostly by young,

white, middle class families Husbands commuted to

cities to work, housewives raised children

Levittown leads the way 4 types of houses built in

named communities with similar sizes, yards, ect.

Levittown, PA

Ads such as this one demonstrated the kinds of homes available in Levittown

Roles of Women

Women encouraged to be homemakers “Keepers of the suburban

dream” (Time Magazine) Main role was to keep

house, raise childrenLimited job choices for

women Teachers, Nurses,

Secretaries Not for married women

M.R.S. degree Women encouraged to

use school to find a husband

Women were encouraged to work during WWII, but when the war ended, they were encouraged to return to the home

Teaching was one job available to women

Baby Boom

During the 1950s, the US population grew by 30 million people

People were getting married and having children earlier and in larger numbers than during the War years

Larger families contributed to more traditional roles for women

Large families moved to suburbia for good schools

Americans married young and more children than the previous generation

TV and Commercialism

Television debuted just after WWII

Over 45 million sold during the 1950s

Programs directed toward families and children

Best medium for new commercial-driven lifestyles Led Americans to believe

products could help perfect their lives

Could be use to sell almost anything

Concern over television destroying family meal time led to the TV Dinner in 1954

Family television time

Ad for Swanson TV Dinners

Shows like Howdy Doody were aimed at children

“I Love Lucy” was one of the most popular shows of the decade

“Teenagers” and Rock and Roll

New form of musicPopular with TeenagersElvis Presley was “King of

Rock and Roll” Influences from Gospel

and Country musicTeenagers defined as a

separate social group for the first timeEvents and Places just

for teenagersSoda shopSock hops

Elvis combined “hillbilly” music and gospel sounds to create a new kind of music

Teenagers at a sock hop

Questions

1. Name 4 characteristics that defined the 1950s.

2. Why are there two Koreas today? What are their political/economic affiliations?

3. What is the difference between an armistice and a treaty?

4. Why did many Americans move to the suburbs during the 1950s?

5. In what ways did the role of women change in the 1950s?

6. What is the baby boom? How did this impact society?

7. When did television debut? List three ways television changed American life.

8. What new form of music debuted in the 1950s?

9. List two things that were unique in American culture for teenagers.

How did American television impact social attitudes of the 1950s?