1. Pop Culture & the American Dream of the 1950s How does pop culture influence the “American Dream”?

2. American Business As economy grew in the 50s more people move into higher- paying white collar professions (managers, sales, clerical) Corporations expand buying other companies, creating conglomerates that paid well but promoted “sameness” Some Corporations form franchises – like Ray Croc who bought McDonalds & franchised out the business Businesses use more advertising and planned obsolescence (don’t last as long so you buy a new model)

3. Life in Suburban America Middle-class whites leave the cities, go to suburbs “white flight” Unprecedented amount of children born after the war known as the “baby boom” New developments in medicine, like Jonas Salk’s polio vaccine https://www.yout ube.com/watch?v =hpoVsRanrcc Dr. Benjamin Spock writes best-selling book on child care Although women working outside of the home increases, 1950s television glorifies women as homemakers

4. Automania “Automania” is due to suburban living, advertising, easy credit and federal govt building the Interstate Highway System Interstate Hwy make high speed trucking possible, hurting RRs Interstate also allows people also flock to vacation spots like lakes, parks, and amusement parks like Disneyland

5. Entertainment of the 50s 3-D films & drive-in theatres gain huge popularity However, television is the biggest form of entertainment (5% of homes in 1950, 90% by 1959) Popular TV shows include Honeymooners, I Love Lucy, Leave it to Beaver, Mickey Mouse Club & Howdy Doody http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jZ8IBQ0MNKs&safe=active http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8NPzLBSBzPI&safe=active https://www.youtub e.com/watch?v=49 Qn38WdTTs Quiz shows very popular – but many were “fixed” Invention of TV Guide & TV Dinners make viewing easier

6. Teenage Consumerism Many businesses begin gearing products towards teenagers, since they spent millions on products, movies & food Comic books, hygiene products, soft drinks, and fashion were marketed to teenagers Beat movement centered in San Francisco & Greenwich Village, NY focused on those who didn’t follow mainstream conformity The Beatniks Beatnicks read poetry in coffee houses, practiced Zen Buddhism, experimented w/ drugs & saw themselves as “counter-culture ”

7. Rock ‘N Roll Bill Haley, Richard Penniman, Chuck Berry are some of biggest artists of the decade Elvis Presley brings Rock ‘n Roll into the mainstream Popularized by teenagers of the 1950s, Rock ‘N’ Roll records made millions & artists were watched on American Bandstand https://www.yout ube.com/watch? v=ZgdufzXvjqw https:// www.y outube.com/w atch?v =6RO wVrF0 Ceg https://w ww.youtu be.com/w atch?v=s GZm7EO amWk