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America in the 1950s

America in the 1950s. Overview: Major themes Fear of communism at home A weary population seeks stability & a chance at the “American Dream” An era of conformity The impact of the automobile Rock ‘N Roll and TV. The 2 nd Red Scare. Fear of communism: the Red Scare (1950s)

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America in the 1950s

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  1. America in the 1950s • Overview: Major themes • Fear of communism at home • A weary population seeks stability & a chance at the “American Dream” • An era of conformity • The impact of the automobile • Rock ‘N Roll and TV

  2. The 2ndRed Scare • Fear of communism: the Red Scare (1950s) House Committee on Un-American Activities (“HUAC”) and the “Hollywood 10”: • 1947 launched investigation of movie industry (was Hollywood making movies with subtle communist propaganda to “brainwash” the public?) • HUAC identified 10 people who might be involved…they refused to answer q’s… sent to prison for failure to cooperate "Are you now or have you ever been a member of the Communist Party?"

  3. Some of the Hollywood 10 Supporters of the Hollywood 10

  4. As a result… • A number of people working in the entertainment industry were “blacklisted”… • Their names were on a mythical list that made them “lepers”…no one would hire them…some made a modest living working under an alias…some committed suicide…

  5. David Merrill was Hollywood’s hottest director in the early 1950s…

  6. Joe McCarthy • Senator from Wisconsin…up for re-election and looking for a cause to make a reputation • Speaking at a ladies luncheon, he announced: “I have the names of 205 known communists working in the U.S. Gov’t.” The speech attracted a lot of publicity and McCarthy had his “cause”

  7. “McCarthyism” = “witch hunts” • What made McCarthy a phenomenon were his tactics…crude, rude, an obnoxious bully who rarely had any hard evidence, only accusations • Simply being suspected of having a tie to communism could be enough to destroy a life or a career….

  8. McCarthy’s downfall • Claimed the U.S. Army had known communists working from within • Congressional investigation & hearings (“Army-McCarthy Hearings”) were televised (1954) • American public witnessed his bullying of witnesses & public support plummeted • Famed reporter Edward R. Murrow and CBS stood up to McCarthy…

  9. Good Night and Good Luck Warner Independent Pictures (2005)

  10. 1950s America • So…in this Cold War climate of fear and suspicion, what did daily life look like for the average guy and his family?

  11. Core Values and Goals • Americans weary of struggle: the Great Depression of the 1930s… • Followed by a horrible world war… • Followed by a new fear of a communisttakeover or even worse, nuclear holocaust

  12. Many had a dream… • Get married • Start a family • Get a good, steady job with a big company…get promoted…retire after 30 years • Own a home • Raise the kids away from the city • Have some stability in life In short: live the “American Dream”

  13. AmericanDream: Family • Returning GI’s got married and started having kids: the Baby Boomers (born between 1946-62)

  14. AmericanDream: Home Ownership • Serviceman’s Readjustment Act (“G.I. Bill”) – passed by Congress 1946 2 important features: • US gov’t. paid for college tuition • Federally guaranteed low interest loans enabled young families to buy homes and start businesses Significance? Expanding middle class

  15. AmericanDream: Home Ownership • Severe housing shortage • William Levitt used efficient, assembly-line methods to mass-produce houses • Levitt- father of modern American suburbia

  16. AmericanDream: Home Ownership • Americans moved to the suburbs • New highways • Affordable cars • Affordable gasoline • 85% of 13 million homes built in 1950’s built in suburbs

  17. Levittown, N.Y.

  18. In the ‘burbs…like Levittown, a family could pursue the American Dream

  19. Living the American Dream

  20. The “Nuclear Family” • Dad was the breadwinner • Hoped to get a job with a solid corporation and advance up the corporate ladder…

  21. Mom’s role: the 3 B’s – Brownies, Babies, & Beds • Stay at home…raise the kids…do the cooking, cleaning, etc.

  22. The kids • Innocent…honest…naïve And TV portrayed the ideal American family like the Cleavers:

  23. An Automobile Culture • Pent up demand for cars (not many available in the 1940s because of WWII!) • More power • Some with power steering • New styling (fins are stylish???) and colors!

  24. Fast food... New “Roadside” Industries born Motor hotels…or, motels for short

  25. More effects of the car culture: • Americans didn’t have to live in the noisy, crowded, cities… • The explosive growth of the suburbs • Levitt’s success was copied by others (still done today?)

  26. End of Part I Powerpoint

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