The 1950s and The American Dream

1. The 1950s and The American Dream MacCarthy

2. Essential Questions • How did America change during the 1950s? Create a Tree map categorizing the different ways America changed? • What is the American Dream? Create a Vein Diagram or a picture comparing the American Dream during the 1950s to your idea of the American Dream today

3. City Life • Why did most people live in big cities before the 1950s? • What was life like for people who lived in rural areas? • What inventions let people leave the cities?

4. City Life • People who could afford to left the cities and moved to the suburbs • Businesses followed, think about the Shops at Norterra • Tax dollars left with them • Big cities left with less money for public service

5. City Life • Minorities made up the major population of the cities • Many Mexicans from the Bracero program were taken advantage of, WHY? • Eisenhower creates the Highway Act

6. The Dream • Baby Boom • Why did this happen? • Better economic and social conditions • Families with bigger families move to the suburbs • Move South and West for better weather

7. The Dream • Safe place to raise a family • Women were the keepers of the home • Influences from the media, TV and magazines • Products • Lawnmowers • Washing machines and dyers • TVs • Barbeques • Cars

9. The Nightmare • What is • Conformity • Shallowness • Isolation

10. The Nightmare • People try to fit in • Buy the latest product to show social standings • Women feel bored and lonely • Media displays what life should be like • Sound familiar?

11. Culture • TV- Sitcoms • Rock n roll- Elvis • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2MnmIVBSZYM • Counter culture-the Beatniks • Rebels against society • 1960 Election-Televised • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zHGs4535W_o

12. Essential Questions • How did America change during the 1950s? • What is the American Dream?