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The Red Scare: A Dark Chapter in 1950s America

Explore the intense fear of communism during the post-WWII era in the U.S., fueled by government actions, HUAC investigations, and McCarthyism. Witness the social impact of economic boom, suburbia, and cultural shift with Elvis, Rock and Roll, and Dissent. Uncover the era's challenges and resilience.

jamescgonzalez
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The Red Scare: A Dark Chapter in 1950s America

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  1. Review Which U.S. initiative was designed to provide financial aid for war-torn European countries after the Second World War? • A the Marshall Plan • B the Geneva Accords • C the NATO Alliance • D the United Nations

  2. 1950s Culture THE RED SCARE The Rise of the Suburb Life in the Suburbs

  3. The Red Scare • As after WWI, there was a Red Scare, or fear of communism, in the US after WWII. • However, the Red Scare after WWII was even more widespread and long term & was encouraged by the Truman administration, under pressure from Republican critics. • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AWeZ5SKXvj8&safe=active • The Loyalty Review Board and Smith Act of 1940 were used to root out “communists” in the federal government , and to cripple the Communist Party. • The House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC) investigated communist activities in the government, armed forces, unions, education, science, newspapers, and TV and film.

  4. The Red Scare, Cont. • The HUAC held their best-known hearings investigating the movie industry in 1947- the Hollywood Ten, the Fifth Amendment, blacklists, and Freedom of Speech. • Espionage Trials of Alger Hiss and Julius and Ethel Rosenberg helped fuel the Red Scare. • Senator Joseph McCarthy of Wisconsin made a name for himself as a communist hunter and became one of the most powerful men in the US 1950-1954: McCarthyism • The end of the Korean War in 1953 and McCarthy’s downfall in 1954 signaled the decline of the Red Scare, but not of the concern over the Cold War in general

  5. Duck and Cover Everyone thought the world was going to end in Nuclear war, at Any moment. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IKqXu-5jw60

  6. Economic Boom & Consumerism • Prices sky rocket as WW2 ends • Taft Hartley Act: outlawed a ‘closed shop’ a workplace in which only union members can be employed.

  7. WWII Veterans Come Home GI Bill of Rights: gave veterans a number of services. Included: -A year of unemployment payments -loans for houses or businesses -financial assistance for higher education

  8. The Baby Boom • Soldiers coming home from the war got married and had lots of kids. • 1957 at the height of the baby boom 4.3 million Americans are born • What does this mean for the nation?

  9. The National Highway Act • 1956 • Largest public works project in history. • Built 41,000 miles of federal highway • Made the car a necessity

  10. The Suburbs • Large areas of mass housing outside of the cities. • Levittowns: The first example of the suburbs • Cookie-cutter housing

  11. Life in the ‘Burbs • Family Focused • TV • Popular Music • Christian • The place of Women

  12. Family Focused • Nuclear Family-parents and kids • Less focus on Extended family, like grandparents • Dr Spock and child- rearing advice.

  13. Christianity Church membership went from 50 million to 80 million during the 50s. The 1950s especially saw a boom in the Evangelical Church in America. The post–World War II prosperity experienced in the U.S. also had its effects on the church. Church buildings were erected in large numbers, and the Evangelical church's activities grew along with this expansive physical growth. Billy Graham

  14. Television Sold faster than radios Accelerated the trend towards mass culture Portrayed ‘the ideal suburban life’

  15. Rock and Roll Adapted from a combination of African American Rhythm and Blues and Country Music of the 1930’s and 40’s Originally called “race music” The kids loved it Their parents hated it Bill Haley and the Comets performing "Rock Around the Clock" on TV in 1955 Little Richard

  16. ELVIS is in the Building

  17. Dissent and Discontent Beatniks Rural and Urban poverty “Other” americansfaceD Injustice http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sUzs5dlLrm0&feature=kp (Pleasant Valley Sunday…the Monkees)

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