The United States from 1950-1959 Social Studies Class Abigail Tausig April 3, 2008 to May 9, 2008.

The United States from 1950-1959The United States from 1950-1959

Social Studies ClassSocial Studies Class

Abigail TausigAbigail Tausig

April 3, 2008 to May 9, 2008April 3, 2008 to May 9, 2008

Bad Guys

Alger Hiss

Alger Hiss was an American. Chambers, then a senior editor of Time, accused Hiss of passing him secret State Department documents in the late 1930's, when Chambers was said to have been a Communist. Hiss

denied it.

English killer John Christie In January of 1950, Timothy Evans was convicted of killing his wife and

child, and, two months later, went to his death on the gallows at London's Pentonville Prison. Many think that John Christie, a serial killer was responsible, instead.

New Slang Words New Slang Words

Hip, hipsterHip, hipster

The term The term hipsterhipster was coined by Harry Gibson in was coined by Harry Gibson in 1940, and was used during the 1940s and 1940, and was used during the 1940s and

1950s to describe jazz performers. 1950s to describe jazz performers.

Slip me some skinSlip me some skin

Slip me some skin means when some one tells Slip me some skin means when some one tells

you to slip me some skin you would slid your you to slip me some skin you would slid your hand with the person who told you.hand with the person who told you.

MoneyMoneyThe first credit cardThe first credit card

In 1951, In 1951, Diners Club issued the first credit card Diners Club issued the first credit card to 200 to 200 customers who could use it at 27 restaurants in New York. customers who could use it at 27 restaurants in New York.

But it was only until the establishment of standards for the But it was only until the establishment of standards for the magnetic strip in 1970 that the credit card became part of the magnetic strip in 1970 that the credit card became part of the

information age. information age.

Gasoline 29Gasoline 29¢ a gallon¢ a gallon A gallon of gas was only 29¢A gallon of gas was only 29¢when now gasoline is up to when now gasoline is up to

Three dollars and some thing cents Three dollars and some thing cents The reason is because there is more of Gasoline.The reason is because there is more of Gasoline.

Fashion and BeautyFashion and BeautyPork pie hats Pork pie hats

Pork pie hats are often associated with Pork pie hats are often associated with JazzJazz culture. Pork pie hats were popular for men andculture. Pork pie hats were popular for men and

women. women.

A-line suitsA-line suits

The ’70s was the heyday of “separates” dressing and the A-line skirt continued to flourish. Saint Laurent did his own front-button version in 1974 and just about everybody else, including Dior, Anne Klein and Missoni, had a crack at this now-classic silhouette.

Entertainment

The Birthday PartyThe birthday party was a gathering of family

and a few friends to celebrate birthdays. The birthday party is usually held on the day they

were born.

Musicals The highlight was a joint performance by Ethel Merman

and Mary Martin, staged by Jerome Robbins. Yes indeed, musicals were a hit in the 1950.

Events of the DecadeEvents of the DecadeKorean WarKorean War

After failing to strengthen their cause in the free After failing to strengthen their cause in the free elections held in South Korea during May 1950. elections held in South Korea during May 1950.

and the refusal of South Korea to hold new and the refusal of South Korea to hold new elections per North Korean demands, the elections per North Korean demands, the

communist, North Korean Army assaulted the communist, North Korean Army assaulted the South on June 25, 1950. South on June 25, 1950.

The conflict was then expanded by the United States The conflict was then expanded by the United States and theand the Soviet Unions’ involvement as part of the Soviet Unions’ involvement as part of the larger Cold War. The main hostilities were during larger Cold War. The main hostilities were during the period from June 25, 1950 until the armistice the period from June 25, 1950 until the armistice

(ceasefire agreement) was signed on July 27, (ceasefire agreement) was signed on July 27, 1953. 1953.

Events of the DecadeEvents of the Decade

Middle East crisisMiddle East crisis

Post war, there was a battle as to who would control oil in the Middle East.

Who’s In

Al Jolson’ musicAl Jolson was American was a highly acclaimed

American singer, comedian and actor of Jewish heritage whose career lasted from 1911 until his

death in 1950.

Charles de Gaulle,

President of 5th French

.

MediaVillage Voice newspaper

The Village Voice is a free weekly newspaper in New York City. Early columnists on the newspaper of the 1950s and 1960s included Jonas Mekas, who explored the underground film movement in his "Film Journal" column and Linda Solomon, who reviewed the Village club scene in the "Riffs" column.

Media

Mad Magazine

The first issue (October-November, 1952), Mad Magazine was a comic book, and its subtitle, "Tales Calculated To Drive You" above the title Mad, referenced the radio program Suspense which each week used the opening, "Tales well calculated to keep you in...Suspense!

Written almost entirely by Harvey Kurtzman, the first issue displayed the cartoon talents of Kurtzman, Wally Wood, Will Elder, Jack Davis, and John Severin. Wood, Elder, and Davis were the main three illustrators throughout the run of the comic book,

LiteratureLiteratureBernard Malamud “The Natural” Bernard Malamud “The Natural” The book The book

follows Roy Hobbs, a baseball prodigy whose follows Roy Hobbs, a baseball prodigy whose

career is sidetracked when he is shot by a crazedcareer is sidetracked when he is shot by a crazed fan. fan. The natural The natural is a 1952 novel about baseball written by is a 1952 novel about baseball written by

BernardBernard MalamudMalamud..

LiteratureLiteratureThe Dairy of Anne Frank

ReligionReligion

Billy Graham's evangelistic meetings a big success in New York and London

United Presbyterian Church in U.S. formed; general assembly approves ordination of women

The EndThe End

By Abigail Tausig By Abigail Tausig

Created by Abigail TausigCreated by Abigail Tausig