During the 1950s the United States was the leading country of the world. It was the world’s strongest military power. The United States’ economy was booming with an increase in manufacturing and home construction amongst a post-World War II economic boom. And the fruits of this prosperity such as, new cars, suburban houses and other consumer goods, were available to more people than ever before.
However, the 1950s were also an era of great conflict. For example, the nascent civil rights movement and the crusade against communism at home and abroad exposed the underlying divisions in American society. The Cold War and its associated conflicts helped create a politically conservative climate in the country, as the quasi-confrontation intensified throughout the entire decade. Fear of communism caused public Congressional hearings in both houses of Congress while anti-communism was the prevailing sentiment in the United States throughout the period. Conformity and conservatism characterized the social norms of the time. Accordingly, the 1950s in the United States are generally considered both socially conservative and highly materialistic in nature (history.com, 2016). …show more content…
With a renewed economic optimism and willingness to spend, people in the 1950s could afford more entertainment products than ever before. Women were freed from time-consuming household tasks with the advent of many labour-saving home appliances and increased car ownership meant less travel time and more leisure time. The cultural phenomenon of the Eisenhower era with the greatest long-term impact was the advent of Rock and Roll. It was a time of both squeaky-clean Disneyland and unkempt, edgy beatniks. It was an era with lots of
However, the 1950s were also an era of great conflict. For example, the nascent civil rights movement and the crusade against communism at home and abroad exposed the underlying divisions in American society. The Cold War and its associated conflicts helped create a politically conservative climate in the country, as the quasi-confrontation intensified throughout the entire decade. Fear of communism caused public Congressional hearings in both houses of Congress while anti-communism was the prevailing sentiment in the United States throughout the period. Conformity and conservatism characterized the social norms of the time. Accordingly, the 1950s in the United States are generally considered both socially conservative and highly materialistic in nature (history.com, 2016). …show more content…
With a renewed economic optimism and willingness to spend, people in the 1950s could afford more entertainment products than ever before. Women were freed from time-consuming household tasks with the advent of many labour-saving home appliances and increased car ownership meant less travel time and more leisure time. The cultural phenomenon of the Eisenhower era with the greatest long-term impact was the advent of Rock and Roll. It was a time of both squeaky-clean Disneyland and unkempt, edgy beatniks. It was an era with lots of