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America in the 1950s

Explore the Red Scare, McCarthyism, and the pursuit of the American Dream in 1950s America. Discover the impact of fear, conformity, and the rise of suburbia in a society seeking stability and prosperity.

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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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