THE AMERICAN DREAM IN THE 50s

1. THE AMERICAN DREAM IN THE 50s • By the end of the 1950s, Americans were enjoying the highest standard of living in the world • many Americans began working in white-collar jobs, such as sales and management. • for the first time, white-collar workers outnumbered blue-collar workers—people who perform physical labor in industry.

2. http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2010/07/16/arts/television/20100718-madmen-timeline.html?scp=145&sq=interactive&st=csehttp://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2010/07/16/arts/television/20100718-madmen-timeline.html?scp=145&sq=interactive&st=cse White Collar Jobs • During the 1950s, businesses expanded rapidly “white-collar” jobs: • Clerical • Management • professional jobs • sales, advertising • insurance • communications exploded White Collar jobs expanded greatly in the 1950s

3. Social Conformity • In the 1950s is was common to see people conform (be like each other) to one another. • Individuality was not encouraged especially at work

4. THE ADVERTISING AGE • The rise in luxury products led to the growth of more sophisticated advertising. • The advertising industry became the fastest-growing industry in the United States, using new marketing techniques to sell products.

5. Franchises Emerge • The 1950s also had an increase in franchises, in which a person owns and operates one or several stores of a chain operation. • A franchise is a company that offers similar services in many locations • Fast food restaurants developed the first franchises in America McDonald’s is one of the leading franchises in the world

6. LEISURE IN THE 1950s • Americans experienced shorter work weeks and more vacation time than ever before • Leisure time activities became a multi-billion dollar industry • Labor-saving devices added more spare time Labor-saving devices provided more leisure time for Americans

7. THE AUTOMOBILE CULTURE • After the rationing of WWII, inexpensive and plentiful fuel and easy credit led many to buy cars • By 1960, over 60 million Americans owned autos

9. Federal Highway Act • In 1956 Congress passed the Federal Highway Act • Construction of 40,000 miles of interstate highways. • This was needed because • the number of Americans who owned cars increased • In times of crisis it would be necessary to transport missiles and military supplies quickly

10. Impact of the Highway • The Interstate Highway system resulted in: • More trucking • Less railroad • More suburbs, further away

11. HIGHWAYS “HOMOGENIZE” AMERICA • Another effect of the highway system was that the scenery of America began to look the same • Restaurants, motels, highway billboards, gas stations, etc. all began to look similar

12. Popular Culture • A new era of mass media led by television emerged in the 1950s • In 1948, only 9% of homes had T.V • In 1950, 55% of homes had T.V. • By 1960, 90% of American homes had T.V.

13. Golden Age of TV • The 1950s was known as the “Golden Age of Television” • Comedies were the main attraction as Milton Berle, Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz were very popular https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gvYZ3gpZMpY

14. TV Ads, TV Guides, & TV Dinners • By 1957 there were 40 million television sets. In the late 1950s, the television news became an important source of information. Advertising and sporting events became more common • TV Guide magazine quickly became the best selling magazine • Frozen TV dinners were introduced in 1954 – these complete ready-to-heat meals on disposable aluminum trays made it easy for people to eat without missing their favorite shows 45:00

15. Iconic Movie Stars

16. Beatniks • The word may have come from the group feeling beat down by American culture. • Followers, called “beatniks”, tended to shun work and sought understanding through Zen Buddhism, music, and sometimes drugs http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ba9yazkl0UE Beatniks often performed poetry or music in coffeehouses or bars

18. Young Americans • Young Americans rebelled against the conformist ideals of adult society and looked to controversial styles in music and literature FREED

19. Music in the 1950s • In 1951 radio disc jockey Alan Freed gained permission from his manager to play African American rhythm and blues on the radio. • He called it “rock and roll” • The listeners loved the new songs, and soon white artists were copying the sound FREED 1:26:00

20. Rock n Roll • In the early and mid-fifties, Chuck Berry, Bill Haley and the Comets, and especially Elvis Presley brought rock and roll to the forefront • Several cities banned rock ‘n’ roll. These varying opinions led to what became known as a generation gap, or cultural separation between children and parents.

21. King of Rock and Roll • Presley’s rebellious style captured young audiences • Girls screamed and fainted, and boys tried to imitate him http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qka6JrKUM5U

22. Social Rebel- Greasers GREASERS- During the 1950s there was a rise in, juvenile delinquency— criminal behavior of youths. While most teens did not participate in any illegal activity, teens were stereotyped, especially if they had long hair and dressed in an alternative manner they were known as greasers http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zHFbhhi_XVc

23. Conformity Dissent Business-White Collar Submissive Housewife Birth Control Suburbs Playboy Civil Rights Franchises Keeping up with the Jones Greaser Rock n Roll Beatniks Baby Boom

24. Directions: answer the questions below and draw a sketch for each of the categories on the back. 1950’s Pop Culture Mrs. Sandoval