1946 to 1961:1946 to 1961:1946 to 1961:1946 to 1961:Four Main ThemesFour Main ThemesFour Main ThemesFour Main Themes

COLD WARCOLD WARA CONFIDENT NATIONA CONFIDENT NATION

CONSUMERISMCONSUMERISMCIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENTCIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT

COLD WARCOLD WARA CONFIDENT NATIONA CONFIDENT NATION

CONSUMERISMCONSUMERISMCIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENTCIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT

Was it a time of “happy days Was it a time of “happy days or anxiety, alienation and or anxiety, alienation and

social unrest”?social unrest”?

Was it a time of “happy days Was it a time of “happy days or anxiety, alienation and or anxiety, alienation and

social unrest”?social unrest”?

The The Eisenhower YearsEisenhower Years

1953-1961

McCarthyismMcCarthyism Claimed 205 communists

working for State Department

Attacked wealthy & privileged—popular appeal

Even Eisenhower wouldn’t challenge him

Army hearings in 1954 televised

– McCarthy exposed as a bully (“reckless cruelty”

•Red ScareRed Scare was Americans response to the fear of

Communism

•Senator Joseph McCarthyJoseph McCarthy accused 205 US Govt.

officials of being Communist.

•McCarthyismMcCarthyism to destroy or assassinate one’s

character without proof and it ruined the careers

of many Americans.

red scare

Became a witch huntwitch hunt that led to Americans pledging a “loyalty oathloyalty oath” to the United

States…….

red scare1

Popular CulturePopular Culture Consumer-driven mass economyTelevision By 1961, 55 million TV sets 3 national networks, bland sit-coms,

westerns, quiz shows, sports, “vast wasteland” for children,

cultureAdvertising All media, aggressive Shopping centers, credit cards Change from “mom & pop” to

franchises

ConsumerismConsumerismConsumerismConsumerism

1950 --> Introduction of the Diner’s Card1950 --> Introduction of the Diner’s Card

Americans were caught up in the “economic boom” that took place after WWII

Americans were caught up in the “economic boom” that took place after WWII

ConsumerismConsumerismConsumerismConsumerismAmericans were becoming a consumer consumer

societysociety…..Buying whatever new product that came out that would make their lives comfortable.

Americans were becoming a consumer consumer societysociety…..Buying whatever new product that came

out that would make their lives comfortable.

TelevisionTelevision

19461946 --> 7,000 TV sets in the U. S.--> 7,000 TV sets in the U. S. 19501950 --> 50,000,000 TV sets in the U. S. --> 50,000,000 TV sets in the U. S. 19461946 --> 7,000 TV sets in the U. S.--> 7,000 TV sets in the U. S. 19501950 --> 50,000,000 TV sets in the U. S. --> 50,000,000 TV sets in the U. S.

Mass AudienceMass Audience

•TV celebrated traditional TV celebrated traditional American values:American values:

•Superman-----Superman-----Truth, Justice, and Truth, Justice, and the American way!the American way!

Mass AudienceMass Audience

•TV celebrated traditional TV celebrated traditional American values:American values:

•Superman-----Superman-----Truth, Justice, and Truth, Justice, and the American way!the American way!

Television is a vast wasteland --> Newton Minnow, Chairman of Federal Communications

Commission, 1961

Television is a vast wasteland --> Newton Minnow, Chairman of Federal Communications

Commission, 1961

TelevisionTelevisionDavy Crockett--Davy Crockett--King of the Wild FrontierKing of the Wild FrontierDavy Crockett--Davy Crockett--King of the Wild FrontierKing of the Wild Frontier

The Lone RangerThe Lone Ranger (and his faithful (and his faithful

sidekick, Tonto): sidekick, Tonto): Who is that masked Who is that masked

man??man??

The Lone RangerThe Lone Ranger (and his faithful (and his faithful

sidekick, Tonto): sidekick, Tonto): Who is that masked Who is that masked

man??man??

Sheriff Matt Dillon, Sheriff Matt Dillon, GunsmokeGunsmoke

Sheriff Matt Dillon, Sheriff Matt Dillon, GunsmokeGunsmoke

TelevisionTelevisionTelevisionTelevision

I Love LucyI Love LucyI Love LucyI Love Lucy Alice Kramden, Alice Kramden, The HoneymoonersThe Honeymooners

Wally and the Wally and the BeavBeav

Wally and the Wally and the BeavBeav

Family ShowsFamily Shows --> --> glossy view of mostly middle- glossy view of mostly middle-class suburban life.class suburban life.

Family ShowsFamily Shows --> --> glossy view of mostly middle- glossy view of mostly middle-class suburban life.class suburban life.

Popular CulturePopular CulturePaperback books Reading Increase despite

television—1 million copies a day

Records Mass-marketed, inexpensive

LP’s or 45’s Rock and Roll music becomes

popular with teenagers

elvis Elvis PresleyElvis Presley Chuck Berry Chuck Berry

Teen CultureTeen CultureIn the 1950s -->In the 1950s --> the word the word “teenager”“teenager” entered the entered the

American language. American language.

1956 -->1956 --> 13 mil. teens with $7 billion to spend a year. 13 mil. teens with $7 billion to spend a year.

In the 1950s -->In the 1950s --> the word the word “teenager”“teenager” entered the entered the American language. American language.

1956 -->1956 --> 13 mil. teens with $7 billion to spend a year. 13 mil. teens with $7 billion to spend a year.

1951 --> “1951 --> “race musicrace music” --> “” --> “ROCK ‘N ROLLROCK ‘N ROLL””1951 --> “1951 --> “race musicrace music” --> “” --> “ROCK ‘N ROLLROCK ‘N ROLL””

Elvis Presley -->Elvis Presley --> “The King” “The King”Elvis Presley -->Elvis Presley --> “The King” “The King”

Teen CultureTeen CultureTeen CultureTeen Culture“Happy Days”

OR “Juvenile Delinquency”?

“Happy Days” OR

“Juvenile Delinquency”?

Marlon Brando inMarlon Brando inThe Wild OneThe Wild One

(1953)(1953)

Marlon Brando inMarlon Brando inThe Wild OneThe Wild One

(1953)(1953)

James Dean inJames Dean inRRebel Without a ebel Without a

CauseCause (1955) (1955)

James Dean inJames Dean inRRebel Without a ebel Without a

CauseCause (1955) (1955)

Dobie GillisDobie GillisDobie GillisDobie Gillis

Teen CultureTeen CultureTeen CultureTeen CultureBehavioral Rules of the 1950sBehavioral Rules of the 1950sBehavioral Rules of the 1950sBehavioral Rules of the 1950s

•Obey AuthorityObey Authority.

•Control Your Emotions.Control Your Emotions.

•Don’t Make WavesDon’t Make Waves

•Fit in with the Group.Fit in with the Group.

•Don’t Even Think About Sex!Don’t Even Think About Sex!

•Obey AuthorityObey Authority.

•Control Your Emotions.Control Your Emotions.

•Don’t Make WavesDon’t Make Waves

•Fit in with the Group.Fit in with the Group.

•Don’t Even Think About Sex!Don’t Even Think About Sex!

Teen CultureTeen CultureTeen CultureTeen CultureThe “Beatnik” Generation:The “Beatnik” Generation: * Jack Kerouac --> * Jack Kerouac --> On The RoadOn The Road * Allen Ginsberg --> poem, “Howl” * Allen Ginsberg --> poem, “Howl” * Neal Cassady * Neal Cassady * William S. Burroughs * William S. Burroughs

A man is beat whenever he goes for broke and wagers A man is beat whenever he goes for broke and wagers the sum of his resources on a single number; and the the sum of his resources on a single number; and the young generation has done that continually from early young generation has done that continually from early youthyouth------------John Clellan Holms------------John Clellan Holms

•Jack Kerouac is said to have responded:Jack Kerouac is said to have responded:We’re a beat generation! We’re a beat generation!

•Against traditional values of the Great Depressions and Against traditional values of the Great Depressions and WWII generation (their parents)WWII generation (their parents)

•Would influence the “counter-culture” of the 1960’sWould influence the “counter-culture” of the 1960’s

Popular CulturePopular CultureRole of Women Mass media reinforced traditional roles Lower wages in the workplace

Social Critics Struggle against conformity Wanted increased social spending Beatniks

– Jack Kerouac, Allen Ginsberg

Well-Defined Gender RolesWell-Defined Gender Roles

Changing Sexual Behavior:Changing Sexual Behavior: Alfred KinseyAlfred Kinsey --> 1948 --> --> 1948 --> Sexual Behavior in theSexual Behavior in the Human Male Human Male 1953 --> 1953 --> Sexual Behavior in theSexual Behavior in the Human Female Human Female

Changing Sexual Behavior:Changing Sexual Behavior: Alfred KinseyAlfred Kinsey --> 1948 --> --> 1948 --> Sexual Behavior in theSexual Behavior in the Human Male Human Male 1953 --> 1953 --> Sexual Behavior in theSexual Behavior in the Human Female Human Female

* premarital sex was common.* premarital sex was common. * extramarital affairs were frequent among * extramarital affairs were frequent among married couples. married couples.

* premarital sex was common.* premarital sex was common. * extramarital affairs were frequent among * extramarital affairs were frequent among married couples. married couples.

Kinsey’s results are an assault on the family as a basic unit of Kinsey’s results are an assault on the family as a basic unit of society, a negation of moral law, and a celebration of society, a negation of moral law, and a celebration of licentiousness. licentiousness. -- -- LifeLife magazine, early 1950s magazine, early 1950s

Kinsey’s results are an assault on the family as a basic unit of Kinsey’s results are an assault on the family as a basic unit of society, a negation of moral law, and a celebration of society, a negation of moral law, and a celebration of licentiousness. licentiousness. -- -- LifeLife magazine, early 1950s magazine, early 1950s

Well-Defined Gender Well-Defined Gender RolesRoles

Well-Defined Gender Well-Defined Gender RolesRoles

The ideal 1950’s manideal 1950’s man was the provider, protector, and was the provider, protector, and the boss of the house. the boss of the house. -- Life magazine, 1955The ideal 1950’s manideal 1950’s man was the provider, protector, and was the provider, protector, and the boss of the house. the boss of the house. -- Life magazine, 1955

19561956 --> William H. Whyte, Jr. --> --> William H. Whyte, Jr. --> The Organization ManThe Organization Man * * a middle-class, white suburban male is the ideal.a middle-class, white suburban male is the ideal.19561956 --> William H. Whyte, Jr. --> --> William H. Whyte, Jr. --> The Organization ManThe Organization Man * * a middle-class, white suburban male is the ideal.a middle-class, white suburban male is the ideal.

Young GentlemanYoung Gentleman Family ManFamily Man The ProviderThe Provider

ConformityConformityCorporate America More white-collar jobs than blue-collar

– Teamwork, conformity, strict dress codes

Big unions merge (AFL & CIO)– more conservative—industrial jobs making middle-class income

Suburbs, new cars, new schools, family vacations

Religion After WWII, organized religion expands, becomes more

tolerant– 1000s of new churches, synagogues– Less interest in doctrine, more in socialization, identity

A Changing WorkplaceA Changing WorkplaceA Changing WorkplaceA Changing Workplace New Corporate CultureNew Corporate Culture

““The Company Man”The Company Man”

1947-1957 --> factory workers 1947-1957 --> factory workers decreased by 4.3%, eliminating 1.5 decreased by 4.3%, eliminating 1.5 million blue-collar jobs.million blue-collar jobs.

By 1956 --> more white-collar By 1956 --> more white-collar than blue-collar jobs in the U. Sthan blue-collar jobs in the U. S

1956 --> Sloan Wilson’s 1956 --> Sloan Wilson’s The Man in The Man in the Gray Flannel Suitthe Gray Flannel Suit

New Corporate CultureNew Corporate Culture

““The Company Man”The Company Man”

1947-1957 --> factory workers 1947-1957 --> factory workers decreased by 4.3%, eliminating 1.5 decreased by 4.3%, eliminating 1.5 million blue-collar jobs.million blue-collar jobs.

By 1956 --> more white-collar By 1956 --> more white-collar than blue-collar jobs in the U. Sthan blue-collar jobs in the U. S

1956 --> Sloan Wilson’s 1956 --> Sloan Wilson’s The Man in The Man in the Gray Flannel Suitthe Gray Flannel Suit

Religious RevivalReligious RevivalReligious RevivalReligious Revival Today in the U. S., the Christian faith is back in the Today in the U. S., the Christian faith is back in the

center of things. center of things. -- -- TimeTime magazine, 1954 magazine, 1954 Today in the U. S., the Christian faith is back in the Today in the U. S., the Christian faith is back in the

center of things. center of things. -- -- TimeTime magazine, 1954 magazine, 1954

Church membershipChurch membership:: 1940 --> 64,000,000 1940 --> 64,000,000 1960 --> 114,000,000 1960 --> 114,000,000Church membershipChurch membership:: 1940 --> 64,000,000 1940 --> 64,000,000 1960 --> 114,000,000 1960 --> 114,000,000

Television PreachersTelevision Preachers1. Catholic Bishop Fulton J. Sheen --> “Life is Worth 1. Catholic Bishop Fulton J. Sheen --> “Life is Worth Living”Living”

2. Methodist Minister Norman Vincent Peale --> 2. Methodist Minister Norman Vincent Peale --> The The PowerPower of Positive Thinkingof Positive Thinking

3. Reverend Billy Graham --> ecumenical message; 3. Reverend Billy Graham --> ecumenical message; warned against the evils of Communism.warned against the evils of Communism.

Television PreachersTelevision Preachers1. Catholic Bishop Fulton J. Sheen --> “Life is Worth 1. Catholic Bishop Fulton J. Sheen --> “Life is Worth Living”Living”

2. Methodist Minister Norman Vincent Peale --> 2. Methodist Minister Norman Vincent Peale --> The The PowerPower of Positive Thinkingof Positive Thinking

3. Reverend Billy Graham --> ecumenical message; 3. Reverend Billy Graham --> ecumenical message; warned against the evils of Communism.warned against the evils of Communism.

Religious RevivalReligious RevivalReligious RevivalReligious RevivalHollywoodHollywood: apex of the biblical epics.: apex of the biblical epics.HollywoodHollywood: apex of the biblical epics.: apex of the biblical epics.

It’s un-American to be unreligious!It’s un-American to be unreligious! -- -- The Christian CenturyThe Christian Century, 1954, 1954It’s un-American to be unreligious!It’s un-American to be unreligious! -- -- The Christian CenturyThe Christian Century, 1954, 1954

The Robe The Ten Commandments Ben HurThe Robe The Ten Commandments Ben Hur

1953 1956 19591953 1956 1959 The Robe The Ten Commandments Ben HurThe Robe The Ten Commandments Ben Hur

1953 1956 19591953 1956 1959

Civil RightsCivil RightsBackground Post WWI & WWII movement to urbann areaareas African Americans influencing party politics

by the 1950s Conflicting feelings about Cold War message

of freedomom and democracy and democracy

Civil RightsCivil Rights

Landmark in Desegregation

– Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka (1954)

Federal troops uphold in Little Rock, Ark.

– Little Rock 9

Montgomery Bus Boycott (1955)

– Rosa Parks, MLK, Jr.

Civil Rights Acts of 1957 & 1960

– First since Reconstruction

SCLC Greensboro sit-in

– SNCC

Rosa parks

•Refused, arrested and fined $10 for sitting in the white

section.•Blacks refused to ride buses until the law was

changed.•Begins the Civil Rights Era as a national movement to

bring about equality for Black Americans.

•Refused, arrested and fined $10 for sitting in the white

section.•Blacks refused to ride buses until the law was

changed.•Begins the Civil Rights Era as a national movement to

bring about equality for Black Americans.

December 1955, Rosa Parks, a 42 yr. old Black woman was ordered by a

Montgomery bus driver to give up her seat to white passengers.

December 1955, Rosa Parks, a 42 yr. old Black woman was ordered by a

Montgomery bus driver to give up her seat to white passengers.

Rosa parks

•Rosa Parks case led to the Rosa Parks case led to the Montgomery Bus Boycott against against

segregation on public busessegregation on public buses. •Led by Martin Luther King, Jr.

•Montgomery City Government ended segregation.

•Rosa Parks case led to the Rosa Parks case led to the Montgomery Bus Boycott against against

segregation on public busessegregation on public buses. •Led by Martin Luther King, Jr.

•Montgomery City Government ended segregation.

Martin Luther King, Jr.

•Leader for Black Civil Rights

•End Jim Crow•Promote integration

•Increase voting rights•Bring about a true democracy

•Rights deprived since Civil War

Martin Luther King, Jr.

•Leader for Black Civil Rights

•End Jim Crow•Promote integration

•Increase voting rights•Bring about a true democracy

•Rights deprived since Civil War

May 1954, the Supreme Court overturned Plessy v. Ferguson and the "separate but equal" doctrine.

Segregation of children in public schools on the basis of race was unconstitutional and discrimination.

States ordered to integrate their schools.

Brown vs. board

Brown vs. Board of Education, Topeka, Brown vs. Board of Education, Topeka, KansasKansas

Brown vs. Board of Education, Topeka, Brown vs. Board of Education, Topeka, KansasKansas

little rock

•Central High School in Little Rock, Arkansas was the first in Little Rock, Arkansas was the first high school in the South to integrate. high school in the South to integrate.

•1958, 1958, President Eisenhower sent Federal troops to sent Federal troops to accompany the nine black students attending an all white accompany the nine black students attending an all white

high school...high school...

•Central High School in Little Rock, Arkansas was the first in Little Rock, Arkansas was the first high school in the South to integrate. high school in the South to integrate.

•1958, 1958, President Eisenhower sent Federal troops to sent Federal troops to accompany the nine black students attending an all white accompany the nine black students attending an all white

high school...high school...

Progress Through ScienceProgress Through Science

1951 -- First IBM Mainframe Computer1951 -- First IBM Mainframe Computer

1952 -- Hydrogen Bomb Test1952 -- Hydrogen Bomb Test

1953 -- DNA Structure Discovered1953 -- DNA Structure Discovered

1954 -- Salk Vaccine Tested for polio1954 -- Salk Vaccine Tested for polio

1957 -- First Commercial U. S. Nuclear Power Plant1957 -- First Commercial U. S. Nuclear Power Plant

1958 -- NASA Created 1958 -- NASA Created (National Aeronautical Space (National Aeronautical Space Administration)Administration)

1959 -- Press Conference of the First 7 American 1959 -- Press Conference of the First 7 American Astronauts Astronauts

Progress Through ScienceProgress Through ScienceProgress Through ScienceProgress Through Science

UFO SightingsUFO Sightings skyrocketed in the 1950s. skyrocketed in the 1950s.

Hollywood used aliens as an allegory for whom ??Hollywood used aliens as an allegory for whom ??

War of the WorldsWar of the Worlds

The 50’s Come to a CloseThe 50’s Come to a CloseThe 50’s Come to a CloseThe 50’s Come to a Close

1959 --> 1959 --> “Kitchen Debate”“Kitchen Debate”

Vice President Richard Nixon and Soviet Vice President Richard Nixon and Soviet Premier Nikita KhrushchevPremier Nikita Khrushchev

U.S. Embassy, Moscow, Soviet Union at theU.S. Embassy, Moscow, Soviet Union at the American National ExhibitionAmerican National Exhibition

1959 --> 1959 --> “Kitchen Debate”“Kitchen Debate”

Vice President Richard Nixon and Soviet Vice President Richard Nixon and Soviet Premier Nikita KhrushchevPremier Nikita Khrushchev

U.S. Embassy, Moscow, Soviet Union at theU.S. Embassy, Moscow, Soviet Union at the American National ExhibitionAmerican National Exhibition

Cold War Tensions ---> <--- Technology & Cold War Tensions ---> <--- Technology & AffluenceAffluence

Nationalism in the Third Nationalism in the Third WorldWorld

Asia Fall of Indochina,

Division of Vietnam– Domino Theory

SEATO

Middle East Suez Crisis, Soviet

Influence Eisenhower Doctrine OPEC

Latin America CIA overthrows leftist

government in Guatemala VP Nixon attacked in

Venezuela