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The 1950s POP CULTURE

The 1950s POP CULTURE. Conformity. Why did people in the 1950s conform? Need for Stability after WW2 and G.D. Did not want to be “Un-American” – Era of Communist Hunt. Morality. Fairly Strict Society Rebellion was not acceptable Surge in Religion – felt good indicator of Anti-Communist

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The 1950s POP CULTURE

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  1. The 1950s POP CULTURE

  2. Conformity • Why did people in the 1950s conform? • Need for Stability after WW2 and G.D. • Did not want to be “Un-American” – Era of Communist Hunt

  3. Morality • Fairly Strict Society • Rebellion was not acceptable • Surge in Religion – felt good indicator of Anti-Communist • Added “Under God” to the Pledge of Allegiance • Gender Roles strongly held

  4. FASHION • Prior to the 1950’s, teen clothing very reserved and proper but to some extent that changed in the 50’s. • Guys • Hair longer with sideburns and slicked back with grease or crew cuts • Wore jeans and leather jackets (with the collar turned up to be “cool”) • Button down shirts • Girls • Ponytails • Pedal pushers, Scarves. • Poodle Skirts popular because 1) Easier dancing, being spun around letting the skirt twirled. 2) skirt was loose and free, a sign of freedom.

  5. Youth Culture • TV in 90% of homes by 1959 • Strived to be “average” • Joined school activities • Wanted to copy their parents • Youth Culture • Drive-in movies • Sock Hops – informal HS dance • Fast food restaurants

  6. The Music • POP (1950-1956) • ROCK N’ Roll (1956 ) • Blend of Southern blues and gospel music with an added strong back beat. • Popular with teenagers who were trying to break out of the mainstream conservative American middle class mold. • Consumer culture increased Rock to billion $ industry

  7. Rise of Television • Before 1952 – freeze on any new TV stations so industry had time to plan for expansion and problems • 1952-56, station #s jumped from 108 to 500 • Programs usually broadcasted live • Favorites: Mickey Mouse Club, I Love Lucy, Leave it to Beaver

  8. Changes in TV • On-The Scene Reporting • Game Shows – offered large cash prizes • Businesses spent $$$ on TV Advertising • $170 million in 1950 • $1 billion by 1955 • $2 billion by 1960 • TV Guide = HUGE magazine, TV Dinners created so did not have to miss favorite show

  9. The Beatniks Sought a higher consciousness – Zen Buddhism, music, sometimes drugs Went against the dress/mentality of the 1950s… attracted Media attention and imaginations of college students. • Subculture that expressed the social and literary nonconformity of artists and poets • Lived non-materialistic lives • Shunned regular work

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