1. 1950’s Culture / The Other America (Ch. 19, Sec. 3 & 4) Part 1

2. How did life change as more people moved to the suburbs? A “baby boom” hit America as soldiers returned from WWII (birth control not popular) Advances in medicine (polio vaccine) & childcare (Dr. Spock) improved the health of children Women refused to live as glorified homemakers, they went to work for self-satisfaction People turned to recreation and leisure activities (attending and watching sporting events on TV )

3. What was the “automobile culture” in America? Living in suburbs made owning a car a necessity (commute to work each day) National highway system led to more travel & greater mobility for people Service industry grew to accommodate travelers Parks, historic sites, drive-in movies, restaurants, and malls all saw huge growth in patronage Automobiles brought pollution, traffic jams, stress (road rage), and fatal accidents

4. How did consumerism change life in America? After having to sacrifice for years, people wanted to buy the new products available (electric appliances, TV’s, Hi-Fis, BBQ’s) “I’ve got to have it” mentality in advertising led to growth of materialism Extending credit (buy now, pay later) led to huge consumer debt & need for second income Designed obsolescence of products led to “throwaway society” (old models get tossed out)

5. 1950’s Culture / The Other America (Ch. 19, Sec. 3 & 4) Part 2

6. What influence did mass media have on popular culture in the 1950’s? TV quickly gained the public’s attention (game shows, children’s shows, soap operas, sports) TV shows had characters portray stereotypical family roles (idealized white America) Companies spent millions on advertising as they took advantage of TV’s popularity Food industry introduced TV dinners as a new convenience (avoid missing favorite shows) Radio and movies continued to be major leisure activities with mass audience appeal

7. What popular subcultures emerged in the 1950’s? The beat movement involved artists, poets, & writers (non-conformists who sought higher consciousness) African-Americans contributed heavily to rock ‘n roll (music that is both black & white) Chuck Berry, Little Richard, Elvis Presley and others made rock ‘n roll popular in the US Many adults condemned rock ‘n roll, saying it led to juvenile delinquency & immorality

8. What was taking place with the other part of America, its urban poor? As white people left the cities for the suburbs, the inner cities became riddled with poverty As poverty swept the inner cities, many minority groups began to fight for equality African American civil rights movement in the 1950’s led to a reduction in discrimination & segregation Inspired by the gains of African Americans, Mexican Americans & Native Americans began to fight for equal rights