1. Aim: To what extent was the “American Dream” of the 1950’s a façade?

2. The 1950s: Popular Culture
Americans in the 1950s enjoyed new forms of entertainment:
TELEVISION boomed as Americans watched comedies, news reports, westerns, & variety shows
TV ownership jumped from 9% in to 90% by 1960 (45 million)
Businesses took advantage of TV to advertise goods to buyers

3. Television in the 1950s
TV Dinners
“I Love Lucy” TV Show

4. The 1950s: Popular Culture Music changed in the 1950s:
“Doo-wop” music dominated the early 1950s, but, was challenged in popularity by rock n’ roll
Rock ‘n’ roll music was inspired by black artists, but Elvis Presley made it popular among the youth
Originally referred to as “race music”, and would not be played on mainstream radio stations
Rock scared parents who thought the fast beats were immoral

5. Bill Haley and the Comets
VIDEO
Wikipedia Commons
In 1954, Rock Around the Clock became the first rock n’ roll title to top the charts.

6. VIDEO

7. This rock ‘n’ roll music is a SIN!
VIDEO
This rock ‘n’ roll music is a SIN!

8. Teenagers were an important force in the 1950s
Businesses targeted teenagers, selling billions of dollars of “cool” consumer goods
Music & movies were made specifically for teens
Suburban teens had leisure time & money to spend

9. Teenagers were an important force in the 1950s
Businesses targeted teenagers, selling billions of dollars of “cool” consumer goods

10. Hollywood movies targeted teens & made films about “juvenile delinquency”

11. Conformity during the 1950’s
Culturally, people were expected to follow specific social norms
Television and advertisements strengthened this conformity
Contributes to the “Red Scare”

12. According to the video clip from Leave it to Beaver, what were the social norms of the American household?
Father Knows Best: TV shows; Social expectations for men, women, children; Conformity; Suburbs;
VIDEO

13. Last night’s homework…
1.) a.) Based on the first reading, what were three expectations for women in the 1950's?  b.) Why do you think this was included in a high school textbook in the 1950's?
2.) a.) Based on the second reading, what were three consequences for women if they attempted to fulfill these expectations? b.) In your opinion which consequence seemed the most significant?
3.) Did these readings surprise you in any way?

14. The “ideal woman” was a housewife & mother
The 1950s: Conformity
TV, movies, & advertising in the 1950s promoted conformity & stereotypes
Ideal man? Ideal woman? Family expectations? Social expectations? Keeping up with the Joneses? White America?
The “ideal woman” was a housewife & mother

15. Perhaps a more realistic portrait of a homemaker during the 1950s.
PUBLIC DOMAIN

16. Conformity during the 1950’s (cont’d)
Men?
The “breadwinners”, providers, bosses of the home
Strong and silent
What were the negative consequences of these expectations?

17. As for the text itself, nobody has turned up the infamous textbook that supposedly included these ten steps. The list is often attributed to Helen B. Andelin's book Fascinating Womanhood, first published in 1963 to provide instruction in "The Art of Winning a Man's Complete Love," but no such list appears in that work.

18. The American Dream Fulfilled?
For many Americans fulfillment of the “American Dream” was not possible
Racism and discrimination played a role
Read through the passage with your partner and discuss questions 1 and 2.
Then read about the “Beat Generation” and their stance against conformity and answer the last two questions.
Ask yourself these questions as you’re reading:
Is access to the “American Dream” in 2017 possible for all? Why or why not?
Are there any residual elements of conformity from the 1950’s that linger today?

19. The 1950s: Conformity The “beat movement” rejected conformity:
“Beatniks” were artists & writers who lived non-conformist lives
Originated in Greenwich Village, NY
Played off of the Lost Generation after WWI
Rebelled against conformity (suburbs, consumer goods, & “regular jobs”)
Emphasized alcohol, drugs, sex, jazz, and a vagabond lifestyle
Led by Jack Kerouac, the beats inspired the “hippies” of the 1960s
Ideal man? Ideal woman? Family expectations? Social expectations? Keeping up with the Joneses? White America?

20. The Affluent 1950’s
What does everything you’ve learned so far tell you about the changing lifestyles of Americans during the 1950’s?
How are these developments similar to, or different from the developments of the “Roaring Twenties”? Explain.
VS.

21. Which society would YOU have rather lived in?
How does American society in the Affluent 1950s compare to American society in the Roaring 1920s after WWI?
Which society would YOU have rather lived in?