writing warm up 2/21 what kind of music do you like? who are your favorite bands and what are your...

Writing Warm Up

2/21

What kind of music do you like? Who are your favorite bands and what are your favorite songs? Do your parents listen to the same music you do?

If not, what do they like?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lZLBGEwWWsw&feature=player_embedded

1950s Culture and Economy

Why were Americans so wealthy after the war?What signs of cultural tension existed during the 1950s?

Youth Culture

• Generational tension between older and younger generations.– Rock and Roll arrived in 1951.– Some young people wear different styles.– Older generation fears shifting values.

Rock And Roll

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedd

Post War Economic Boom

• Longest period of economic prosperity.– Economy grew from 1945 – 1971 with large

growth from 1945-1952.• The U.S. produced 50% of the world’s stuff

(output).

G.I. Bill of Rights

• 1 year of unemployment pay• Financial aid ($) for college.• Govt loans to start businesses or buy homes.

• Results– Increase in home construction, suburbs.– 8 million people go to college.

Baby Boom

• People put off having kids because of the war. • 1946-1964 greatest increase in U.S.

population.

Suburban living

• Levittown– Mass production of suburban homes in 1947.– Small communities that did not rely on cities.– William Levitt produced 150 affordable houses per

week.

– $7,990 or $60/month

Suburban Living

• Increased prosperity (More $) and the creation of suburbs meant the U.S. became more reliant on cars.

• Interstate Hwy Act – 1956 – Cost $32 Billion– Largest public works project in U.S. History– 41k miles of new hwys.

Idealized Suburban Families

The Donna Reed Show (1958-1966)

Leave it to Beaver(1957-1963)

Father Knows Best(1954-1958)

WWII employment for women

Aircraft engine technician and senior supervisor, Naval Air Base, 1942

Women were an important part of the workforce during World War II. The ideal woman during WWII was one who had a job supporting the war

Employment after the war & Social Pressures

• By 1960 1/3 of women worked.• Ideal nuclear family, married young, and mom stayed home.

Household products marketed to women

1950s ad for an electric iron

1950s ad for a cleaning product.

Central Question

Is the image of the happy 1950s housewife accurate?

Document Analysis

• Read Document A• Complete Graphic Organizer with partner• Repeat for document B• Complete hypothesis individually.• Repeat process for Docs C and D