Culture in the 1950's

by: Lainey and Micaela

Coming from World War II, the United States industry and manufacturing is still recovering from the traumatic experience that the war had put it through. However, the era of the 1950's is considered to be one of the turning points of American History due to the economic rise as well as its dominating industrialization. It allowed the recovery to be a fast and easy transition and made it able to progress.

During this time period, there are many inventions that have helped make America more efficient and known for its capabilities. Inventions such as automobiles helped transportation from city jobs to home much more convenient. In these times, suburban living made owning a car a necessity. jobs, churches synagogues schools stores and doctor's and dentists' offices were not walking distances it was essential to owning a car. Cars also added better ways for leisure by traveling and made people more connected with family from distant towns.


Also drive-ins and drive-thru's were very popular. families would go and watch a movie at the drive-in or go to drive-thru to get some fast food. waitresses would wear fancy uniforms or roller skates which was added to the fun of front seat dining.


In addition, there are also media improvement and the entertainment of the American citizen is now one of the sources of income for many businesses. More technological outlets for radios and movies are becoming even more popular to the average citizen. More and more people are accustomed to these areas of entertainment available to them. in 1948, there are 18500 movie theatres that draws in 90 million paid admissions for week. However, the invention of better television decreased the number of moviegoers. by 1954, 50% of movies were in color, and this helped attract more and more audience.

In the musical genre, there are more kinds of music being discovered. Music such as rock and roll were becoming popular with the generation and those such as; Elvis Presley, Chuck Berry and Bill Haley were becoming icons for the teens. They help involve more people in the musical department which helped boost the production of instruments. This started the era of musicians and other forms of artistic talents begins to surface.


Even though many other countries were trying hard to salvage what is left after the second World War, United States was able to turn their luck around and start the era of production and entertainment. This not only made America able to give itself a whole new meaning, but it also allowed the country to prosper.

The Bounteous Culture of the 1950's

In America in the 1950's, there was a great richness of culture. This included a great wave of mass media, such as the huge of phenomenon of television. Very few television shows were broadcasted, including I Love Lucy and Father Knows Best, and those were only in black and white. Children's programs also flourished, such as The Mickey Mouse Club. These shows portrayed an idealized America. Movies were upgraded to color and stereophonic sound.

There was a huge beat movement, which was localized in San Fransisco, Los Angelos, and New York City. This was the social and literary noncomformity of artists, poets, and writers. A huge era of music began, with the birth of rock n' roll. This was music that was considered both black and white, and was unique to America. Elvis Presley became a huge rock star and popularized rock n' roll. Lastly, there was an increase in the sales of comic books.

The 1950's included the Baby Boom, which was the population sky-rocketed. There was a huge culture centered around automobiles. For instance, the drive-in movie theater was very popular, as was the drive-thru fast-food restaurants. There were great advancements in medicine, such as the polio vaccine.

All in all, America in the 1950's proved to be an age of cultural abundance.



By Liane and Becky