America in the 1950s

Subversive Culture

American culture during the decade thrived on conservatism, at least publicly, which embraced the nuclear family and traditional gender roles. Yet, with imposed societal expectations growing dissent became evident. The Red Scare helped spread the fear of communism which Hollywood frequently used to dismiss actors who did not have similar political views. Critics of American society also came in other forms, such as African American activists, the feminist movement, and others with environmental concerns. The dissenting culture of the fifties would give rise to major activist movements into the sixties.

Fig. 2 - Levittown, PA 1959 Source: Wikimedia Commons

African Americans in the Fifties

Though the country was booming in every way for white, middle-class Americans, African Americans did not enjoy equal opportunities. For example, Levittown did not allow a single African American to live within the suburb. Many spoke out against racial inequality throughout the fifties, which would spark the Civil Rights Movement. The landmark supreme court case, Brown v. Board of Ed, showed a slight glimmer of hope in the fight against inequality. In 1954, the Supreme Court ruled that "separate but equal facilities" were unconstitutional for African American children. Yet, even with the Supreme Court's ruling, segregation would continue to be hard-set in the South. The new movement sparked Rosa Parks and other activists to continue to fight against segregation.

Business in America

Corporate expansion dominated the fifties in America. Businesses merged and became more extensive and earned higher profits while small companies began to expand. With the rise in the industry came a need for both skilled and unskilled positions, which Americans immediately filled. With the increase in workers came higher participation in labor unions. These unions used collective bargaining to argue for better working conditions and health benefits. More now than ever, the working man could cross class lines and enter the American middle class through unions.

Causes of the Economic Boom 1950s

Politics in 1950s America

After both world wars, America craved stability and normalcy. Democrats had secured power early on in the decade but quickly lost office in 1952 with the Republican election of Dwight Eisenhower.

Fig. 3 - Portrait of President Dwight D. Eisenhower 1959 Source: Wikimedia Commons

Eisenhower and the Politics of the American 1950s

The 1950s saw an economic boom, technological advances, and a thriving culture. Dwight Eisenhower dominated politics throughout the era, whose policies thrived on conciliation and keeping America in harmony. Eisenhower, a victorious general in WWII, brought his amiable personality to the American presidency during the fifties. Along with Eisenhower's commitment to stability, he strongly advocated capitalism. Therefore, his character and principles fit seamlessly into middle-class America's need for normalcy. It seems fitting that Eisenhower maintained relative peace and prosperity throughout his presidency.

Fig. 4 - Welch-McCarthy Hearings (Senator McCarthy Right) 1954 Source: Wikimedia Commons

The Cold War & Red Scare

The start of the Cold War in 1947 ushered in a wave of skepticism and fear throughout America. It is difficult to pinpoint the exact beginning of America's second Red Scare, yet it is often associated with the House Un-American Activities Committee's (HUAC) investigation of Hollywood. Little attention was given to this group or the supposed Communist threat until Alger Hiss was charged with giving classified documents to the Soviet Union. Many Americans feared communism would infiltrate America and undermine democracy and the American way of life. Following the debacle of Joe McCarthy, Americans' fear of communism declined. However, the underlying fear and skepticism could be seen well into the 1960s.

Art in 1950s America

Fig. 5 - Lavender Mist Painting 1950 by Jackson Pollock Source: Jackson Pollock CC-BY-SA-4.0 Wikimedia Commons

Abstract Expressionism

Artists during the fifties were primarily located in New York and were part of the Abstract Expressionism movement. Social realism and geometric abstraction made up the art movement throughout the fifties. Artists like Jackson Pollock, Franz Kline, and Willem de Kooning focused on capturing intangible experiences. The epicenter for the fifties art movement was New York City, where most artists lived near one another and interacted regularly. Being in the city allowed artists of the era to collaborate and develop abstract expressionism.

Gender Roles in 1950s America

Fig. 6 - Family picture in the Ladies Home Journal 1948 Source: Wikimedia Commons

Women and Men's Roles in the 1950s

The decade of the fifties is seen as a strict period of conformity, specifically for women. An M.R.S. degree, stay-at-home motherhood, many children, and interestingly enough, female-centered birth control dominated feminine lifestyles. Societal pressure pushed women in several areas, with marriage being the top priority. Throughout the fifties, couples got married at an earlier age. A college degree for young women was considered unnecessary as the media pushed for a domestic role. Women who worked outside the home were often villainized as being selfish, sacrificing the needs of their families for themselves. However, even with the cultural push for women to play a specific role, some women grew unsettled, leading to the sexual revolution of the 1960s.

While women maintained their domestic roles, men were also subjected to societal pressure. Throughout the media, men were often shown as completing "manly" tasks such as working outside the home or fixing a car. Men were rarely shown with children as they were considered part of the feminine sphere.

Fig. 7 - Article from the Ladies Home Journal 1948 Source: Wikimedia Commons

The Beginnings of Feminism

The antithesis of the white, middle-class culture was feminism. The feminist movement could not be seen in America until the sixties, but women's unsettled voices became evident throughout the fifties. Most historians mark the start of feminism with Betty Friedan's The Feminine Mystique. Though Friedan's book was not published until the early sixties, she broadly references customs and social structures from the previous decade.

Entertainment in 1950s America

Entertainment in the 1950s integrated spectacle with emerging technology, focusing on new forms of music and the rapidly changing landscape of television programming.

Fig. 10 - Elvis Presley Jail House Rock 1957. Source: Wikimedia Commons

American Music in the 1950s: Rock and Roll

Rock and Roll's themes of love, freedom, and rebellion resonated with teenagers in the fifties and grew in popularity. Elvis Presley skyrocketed to stardom during this era and captivated teenagers across the country. However, rock and roll not only called rebellious teenagers but also began to tear down racial barriers as many embraced African American musicians. While teens consumed rock and roll, their parents were not keen on anything the genre promoted. The genre was considered a threat to morals and the American nuclear family. Yet, rock and roll continued to grow in popularity and became one of the main genres played on the radio.

Fig. 11 - I Love Lucy TV Show in 1955 Source: Wikimedia Commons

American Television in the 1950s

Though the technology behind television had been around decades earlier, only the wealthy had access to tv sets. Yet, by the fifties, more than half of American households had televisions. TV programming flourished with various shows such as game shows, soap operas, talk shows, cartoons, and adventure series. Like all other media during the decade, TV programs emphasized the perfect all-American family, which fixated on white families. Even though programs did not accurately portray the reality of American life, American values were idealized by many.

Technology in 1950s America

Fig. 13 - RCA Color TV Ad 1959 Source: Wikimedia Commons

Technology flourished throughout the 1950s with several inventions, from color tv to the transistor. One of the most popular technological changes came with the transition to television. In previous decades Americans had received their news and entertainment from the radio. TV sets were reserved for the upper class and were not in many American homes. Technological advances made tv sets so affordable that over fifty percent of Americans had television by the end of the fifties.

One of the most significant technological advancements during the decade was the transistor. The invention of this product launched a highly profitable industry due to its versatility. The transistor allowed the development of other designs, such as the transistor radio, hearing aids, TV sets, computers, and watches. Technological advances touched almost every aspect of American life. The fifties flourished in large and small inventions that changed how Americans lived.