Mr. Reinbold Amer. Civ. 10
The People:
1. HARRY TRUMAN– “Dewey Defeats Truman” – What was this famous picture about?
The stunning comeback victory in the 1948 Presidential Election
Post War Events/Ideas:
Why did Truman say “The Buck Stops Here?”
He was willing to take personal responsibility for his actions
BABY BOOM – What does this refer to and what
2. DWIGHT EISENHOWER– write 4 things about Pres. Eisenhower or his time in Office: challenge does this generation pose to the future?
The population explosion after WW II and since
A) Campaign Slogan – “We Like Ike”
America is now graying – finances will be strained.
B) War Background – WW II General who planned D-Day
Baby Boom generation is from 1946-64.
and defeated Germany
C) Promoted the construction of the Highway system
D) Presided over the economic prosperity of the decade
1950’s
Study Guide
3. RICHARD NIXON– What role of did TV play in his career
and his famous “Checker’s Speech” – Used TV to
Deflect a scandal concerning campaign contributions
G.I. BILL – what did this law provide for vets after the
war? Low cost mortgages for homes, free or reduced
cost for college, and business loans for veterans
FAIR DEAL – describe Truman’s ideas contained in this
program – Was Truman domestic economic program
including raising the minimum wage, low cost
housing, and expanding Social Security
THE AMERICAN DREAM – what did the American
Dream mean for people in the 50’s? – Home
ownership, marriage and family, opportunity to get an
education, be successful
SOCIAL MOBILITY (part of the American Dream):
Ability to move up in social class
Life in the 1950’s:
HIGHWAT ACT – think of three major changes the Interstate Highway System brought to America?
Expand business, speed of travel, and unite America
THE SUBURBS: Made possible by the Baby Boom and growth of the highway system. Many wanted to live here to achieve their version
of the “American Dream.” They also thought living in the suburbs was helping to bring their family in to the Middle Class of
society. 1st Suburb was named Levittown. The desire to own a home showed how the 50’s would be a time period of Materialism.
Materialism - people became very obsessed with owning things – felt they needed them to “Keep up with the Joneses”
Mr. Reinbold Amer. Civ. 10
Family Life in the 1950’s:
FAMILY LIFE - was built around “nuclear” families where divorce was almost unheard of. It was a male-dominated decade and women
were put into “stereotypical” roles that limited their actions outside of the household. African-Americans and Hispanics faced
discrimination through-out society in addition to the issues facing women.
CONSUMERISM – There was a wide variety of new things to buy in what is considered to be a great time for consumers. The introduction
of the credit card and new forms of advertising fueled economic expansion.
Economics in the 1950’s:
1950’s
Study Guide
Corporate America – What does this
term refer to ? Corporations
dominated the economy, people
wanted to buy their products and
many Americans worked for them.
Overall Corporations had a huge
impact on the daily life of all people.
Age of Prosperity – the 1950’s was a
period of great economic expansion –
most Americans were seeing their
wages rise and were able to buy the
goods and services of this “Consumer
Age.”
1950’s Science and Technology:
QUESTIONS: What disease was cured?
Polio – vaccine by Dr. Jonas Salk
What Space Agency did the U.S. create?
NASA
What new invention (technology) was introduced?
Name two examples = TV, Computers
Write 5 Possible Test Questions you think could be on the Test:
1.
2.
Franchise – Explain this term and know 3.
an example: Stores/Restaurants that
4.
are individually owned by follow a
corporate guideline/rules. Ex.
5.
McDonald’s
Mr. Reinbold Amer. Civ. 10
Entertainment:
MOVIE STARS – James Dean represented what for
Teenagers of the day? Rebellion against authority,
against conformity
Teenagers in the 1950’s – The idea of conformity was pushed on teenagers, but
slowly many began to rebel. Often it was what they watched at the movies, the
music they listened to, or attitudes. Beatnik writers like Jack Kerouac taught
against conformity and materialism and became the early pioneers of the next
decade’s “Counter- Culture.”
Marilyn Monroe – played vulnerable female
characters involving marriage
RADIO – Transitioned to Music, News, and Sports
after the creation of the TV
TELEVISION – shows represented the Conservative
Era, were family oriented; Showed what some
people claimed was the “ideal family” (poor
stereotypes in many respects). Did not show
women or minorities in lead roles ….. The exception
was I Love Lucy. TV helped to unite America in a
common way. Many new performers debuted on
the variety program called the Ed Sullivan Show
(Elvis, Beatles, etc.)
MUSIC – Elvis – list three facts about Elvis Presley
a) influenced by – African-American singers
b) Called the – The King of Rock-n-Roll
c) Was the first true worldwide
superstar in Entertainment because he was able to
combine music, television, and movies to promote
his image and performances.
MASS MEDIA – Explain this term – communication
to mass audiences through TV, radio, newspapers
Some Important Ideas of PostWar America (the 50’s):
1950’s
Study Guide
• Conformity – Obey the rules, don’t be
an individual
• Consumerism – Americans had money
to buy things and there were plenty of
new things from Corporate America to
buy
• ALIENATION – who felt this?
1) Women
2) African-Americans
• ANXIETY – What were people anxious
about ….. Kids were part of the Duck
and Cover Generation and families built
Bomb (fallout) shelters in their
backyards.