IntroductionIntroduction
Central Question: How did life in the United States change during the 1950s?
The decade of the 1950s conjures up images of classic TV showsI Love Lucy, Leave it to Beaver, and The Ed Sullivan Show are examples., poodle skirts, and idyllic American families. Times were good. The population grew at an unprecedented rate as the largest generation in U.S. history was born during the baby boom. Americans enjoyed their new prosperity and purchased family cars
, television sets, and a host of exciting new appliances
. Teenagers enjoyed a sense of freedom and fun as they soaked up the new sounds and rhythms of rock and roll. While not all Americans embraced the conformist trends of the time, the decade was largely prosperous and peaceful; a trait the majority of Americans welcomed after a decade of war.
Following successful completion of this lesson, students will be able to:
- Describe the population boom that occurred during the post-war period and the effect that had on society in general.
- Discuss the cultural and social trends that emerged during the 1950s.
- Exame the major domestic programs associated with the Eisenhower administration.
The above objectives correspond with the Alabama Course of Study: US History 11 Objectives: 10.
This lesson incorporates the following Literacy Standards: R1, R2, R7, R9, W6, W8, & W9.
Photograph Citation:
Family watching television, 1950. Photo. Lib of Congress. Web. 15 July 2014. <http://faculty.polytechnic.org/gfeldmeth/0110415q.html>.
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