Lecture Notes: American Society and Culture in the 1950s

Introduction

• Post-WWII America saw significant changes and challenges.
• Nearly 50,000 Americans returned from the Korean War in coffins by 1953.
• President Eisenhower focused on domestic life after resolving the Korean conflict.

Economic Boom

• Post-war economic boom transformed America into a consumer society.
• Real wages increased by 4.5% annually.
• Advertising, marketing, and public relations became prominent professions.

Workplace and Social Norms

• Emphasis on conformity; white-collar work surpassed manual labor.
• Men conformed to dress codes, women faced workplace discrimination.
• Society favored traditional gender roles, with women primarily at home.

Suburbia and Family Life

• Suburbs became popular, with a quarter of the population living there by end of the decade.
• Emphasis on stability and home-centered activities.
• The birth rate increased; families often centered around home life.

Rise of Consumerism

• Families entered the middle class rapidly, buying consumer goods to keep up with neighbors.
• Television became a central part of American life.

Television and Popular Culture

• Television sets became common; programming demand increased.
• Influential figures like Milton Berle and Edward R. Murrow transitioned to TV.
• Programming targeted family audiences.

Music and Youth Culture

• Rock and roll emerged, symbolizing change and rebellion.
• Elvis Presley became a major cultural icon.
• American Bandstand highlighted the teenage market's power.

Civil Rights Movement

• Rosa Parks ignited a revolution by refusing to give up her bus seat.
• Martin Luther King Jr. led the Montgomery Bus Boycott, marking a significant civil rights victory.
• Integration of schools tested in Little Rock, Arkansas, with federal intervention.

Automobile Culture

• Cars became symbols of personal identity and freedom.
• Federal highway system transformed travel and commerce in America.

Cold War and Nuclear Threat

• Arms race with the Soviet Union increased tensions.
• Public exposed to nuclear tests, leading to health concerns.

Space Race and Technological Competition

• Sputnik launch by the Soviet Union escalated fears of falling behind.
• Increased focus on education and intellectual achievements.

Cultural Reflection

• Television quiz show scandals revealed media manipulation.
• Rising awareness of societal issues paving the way for the 1960s changes.

Conclusion

• The 1950s set the stage for significant societal and cultural shifts in America.
• The decade ended with growing youth influence in culture and politics.