1950s Webquest
You are about to take part in a Webquest to explore the culture and trends of
the 1950s. The various websites will aid you with finding information from
Levittown to the trial of Alger Hiss. Browse through the sites and remember
to record your answers on your worksheet.
You will be investigating a world that may seem very different from your world
of today. The 1950s are often recalled as “simpler times”, before video games,
cell phones or even computers! You will be surprised how well you can relate,
understand and even learn from the teenagers of the 1950s. On the surface the
issues between adults and teens may seem wholly different, but at the core,
they are very similar. After all – this is the decade that the term “teenager” was
first used!
Your exploration will take you on a tour of the 1950s, including:
Pop Culture, consumerism, advertising, music, fashion, hairstyles, cars, social
activities, hangouts, slang and teen idols.
1. Suburban Living, Teen Life and Gender Roles
 The GI Bill was intended to help returning WWII veterans get inexpensive
mortgages and college tuition.
 How many veterans took advantage of this program?
http://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/gi-bill
http://www.nationalww2museum.org/learn/education/for-teachers/primarysources/gi-bill.html?referrer=https://www.google.com/
http://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/gi-bill

Congratulations! You have just been married! Take a look at this
Home Economics textbook to find some tips on how to be the perfect
housewife or, if you are the husband, what to expect from your new wife!
http://www.colorado.edu/AmStudies/lewis/film/gdhwife.htm
http://www.babble.com/mom/how-to-be-a-good-wife-according-to-a-1950shome-ec-book/
http://www.slate.com/blogs/the_vault/2015/07/24/history_of_gender_1950s
_quiz_for_girls_on_careers_and_marriage.html
2. What is expected of the husband and/or father? Of the
mother/wife?
http://www.ehow.com/how_8066880_good-husband-1950s.html

Now that you’re married it’s time to buy a house and move to the
suburbs! “I know, darling, let’s move to Levittown!”
http://statemuseumpa.org/levittown/one/b.html
http://articles.latimes.com/1988-06-21/business/fi-4744_1_levittown-house
https://www.google.com/search?q=levittown+advertising&espv=2&biw=1280&
bih=923&tbm=isch&imgil=zlqkVXEni6aRjM%253A%253Bq4M8yu457nuWCM
%253Bhttp%25253A%25252F%25252Fstatemuseumpa.org%25252Flevittown
%25252Fone%25252Ff.html&source=iu&pf=m&fir=zlqkVXEni6aRjM%253A%2
52Cq4M8yu457nuWCM%252C_&usg=__PxA2atdWdDsGTNp2rTz8ymoDrw0%3
D&ved=0ahUKEwjCja2xl5HMAhVhsIMKHdbGCokQyjcILQ&ei=yiYRV8KALuHgjg
TWjavICA#imgrc=wD-n0oKP12QzBM%3A
3. Describe a typical suburban Levittown house in one paragraph.

Congratulations!! You have been blessed with fraternal twins!
4. Pick a male and female name from this list.
http://www.baby2see.com/names/1950s.html
Pop Culture

Variety shows were very popular during the 1950s and the Ed Sullivan
Show was THE variety show! Click on the link to read more about the
show.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Ed_Sullivan_Show
5. What parts/acts on the Ed Sullivan Show would be entertaining to
modern day viewers?

Not all teenagers were permitted to watch Elvis Presley and often his
performances were censored.
6. Why was Elvis considered a controversial guest and how was he
eventually ‘allowed’ to be on TV?
http://www.elvispresleymusic.com.au/pictures/1956-1957-elvis-edsullivan-show.html

Fashions and Trends
7. Describe the appearance of you, your spouse, your teenage son and
teenage daughter. Describe in words and sketch head – toe what you
and they are wearing in the following situations:
 School (children)
 Date/dance (Children)
 Day to day activities (all)
 Dinner party (you and your spouse)
http://www.thepeoplehistory.com/50sclothes.html
http://fiftiesweb.com/fashion/1950s-mens-fashion/
http://www.retrowaste.com/1950s/fashion-in-the-1950s/1950s-fashion-forteens-styles-trends-pictures/
http://teens.lovetoknow.com/Teen_Fifties_Clothing
8. List 2 teen idols your son might look up to.
http://fiftiesweb.com/music/teen-idols/
http://www.pophistorydig.com/topics/tag/teen-idols-1950s/
List 2 teen idols your daughter might look up to.
http://boomers-fifties-pinups.com/50_teenmag.html
http://boomers-fifties-pinups.com/movie_stars_1950.html
9. List 5 slang terms with the definition.
http://www.citrus.k12.fl.us/staffdev/social%20studies/pdf/slang%20of%20th
e%201950s.pdf
http://fiftiesweb.com/pop/1950s-slang/
http://www.daddy-o.us/slang.htm
10.
Name one dance that was popular in the 1950s and write
directions how to learn and perfect this dance.
http://www.loti.com/fifties_favorite_50s%20-dances.htm
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2wcG7tYYd3g
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UrGLNtZ0rEg
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rf55gHK48VQ
Wow! Your son is starting to be interested in girls! He wants to do things like
ask a girl out, have a party, etc. Apparently, it’s time for THE TALK. Your baby
boy is growing up fast but you don’t want him to grow up too fast and forget
his family.
To make things more stressful, your daughter is also looking to you for advice
on how to behave and how to prepare for her future. Use the following YouTube
videos to learn what to talk to them about and how to talk to them.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RkRvPOvDqrk
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FxBOSdl-b54
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qA93BhDBskw
http://www.plosin.com/beatbegins/projects/sombat.html
11.
What advice did you find on the above websites?
UH-OH….your son is starting to get a little too independent. He isn’t following
societal customs…..he’s getting a little rebellious! Use the following websites to
find out why.
AND you searched his room while he was at school and found rebellious music,
books, movie articles and books. Use the links below to find out more about
this stuff AND the TV shows you would LIKE for him to watch.
12.
Using the following websites, find the four rebellious movies
and the Rock-n-Roll themed TV show. Write them on your
worksheet.
http://www.filmsite.org/50sintro.html
http://www.loti.com/fifties_history/Teenage_Life_in_the_1950s.htm
http://americancentury.omeka.wlu.edu/exhibits/show/reinforcement-ofgender-roles-/television--the-ideal-american
At a recent dinner party, a “free-thinking” twenty-something called you (OR
your husband) an ORGANIZATION MAN.
13.
What does that mean?
http://www.dictionary.com/browse/organization-man
You want to take your family out for a quick and delicious dinner or snack.
Check out the link and discover which food franchises are available.
14.
Which are the three oldest franchises?
http://gunthertoodys.com/fast-food-restaurants-born-1950s/
http://www.loti.com/fifties_food/When_Food_Became_Fast.htm
http://www.livinghistoryfarm.org/farminginthe50s/life_16.html