Survey
* Your assessment is very important for improving the workof artificial intelligence, which forms the content of this project
* Your assessment is very important for improving the workof artificial intelligence, which forms the content of this project
America in the 1950s 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 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 The 2nd Red Scare Fear of communism: the Red Scare (1950s) House Committee on Un-American Activities (“HUAC”) and the “Hollywood 10”: 1. 3. 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?" Some of the Hollywood 10 Supporters of the Hollywood 10 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… David Merrill was Hollywood’s hottest director in the early 1950s… 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” “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…. 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… Good Night and Good Luck Warner Independent Pictures (2005) 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? 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 communist takeover or even worse, nuclear holocaust 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” American Dream: Family Returning GI’s got married and started having kids: the Baby Boomers (born between 1946-62) American Dream: Home Ownership Serviceman’s Readjustment Act (“G.I. Bill”) – passed by Congress 1946 2 important features: 1. 2. 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 American Dream: Home Ownership Severe housing shortage William Levitt used efficient, assembly-line methods to mass-produce houses Levitt- father of modern American suburbia American Dream: 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 Levittown, N.Y. In the ‘burbs…like Levittown, a family could pursue the American Dream Living the American Dream The “Nuclear Family” Dad was the breadwinner Hoped to get a job with a solid corporation and advance up the corporate ladder… Mom’s role: the 3 B’s – Brownies, Babies, & Beds Stay at home…raise the kids…do the cooking, cleaning, etc. The kids Innocent…honest…naïve And TV portrayed the ideal American family like the Cleavers: 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! New “Roadside” Industries born Fast food... 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?) End of Part I Powerpoint