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America in the 1950s

America in the 1950s. Overview: 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. Overview (cont’d). Fear of communism HUAC and the Hollywood Ten:

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America in the 1950s

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  1. America in the 1950s • Overview: • 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. Overview (cont’d) • Fear of communism • HUAC and the Hollywood Ten: • Committee of the U.S. House of Reps. created 1930s to investigate “un-American activities” • 1947 launched investigation of movie industry (were film-makers making movies with subtle communist propaganda to “brainwash” the public?) • HUAC identified 10 people who refused to answer q’s… "Are you now or have you ever been a member of the Communist Party?"

  3. Some of the Hollywood Ten Supporters of the Hollywood ten

  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. Joe McCarthy • Senator from Wisconsin…looking for a cause to make a reputation • 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”

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

  7. 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 harsh tactics and style…his support faded • Famed reporter Edward R. Murrow and CBS stood up to McCarthy…

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

  9. 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?

  10. 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 ever worse, nuclear holocaust

  11. 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”

  12. The Baby Boom • Returning GI’s got married and started having kids: the Baby Boomers (generally, those born between 1946-62)

  13. 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!

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

  15. More effects of the car culture: • Americans didn’t have to live in the noisy, crowded, cities… • The explosive growth of the suburbs • Builder William Levitt used mass production philosophy to produce hundreds of inexpensive tract homes (still done today?)

  16. Levittown, N.Y.

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

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

  19. Mom • Stay at home…raise the kids…do the cooking, cleaning, etc.

  20. The kids • Innocent…honest…naïve • And TV portrayed the typical American family like: • The Cleavers: YouTube - Leave It To Beaver - 01x01-Pt. 1

  21. End of Part I Powerpoint

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