1950s Pop Culture
Popular culture of the 1950s was heavily influenced by the political and economic states of the country that were significantly impacted by the Cold War. The Cold War had set the stage for an especially competitive period that was fueled by the rivalry between the United States and the Soviet Union to prove their superiority. The majority of popular culture at this time revolved around being better than the Soviets. Specifically, consumerism, education, art and music, gender roles, and propaganda were significantly impacted by this rivalry brought on by the Cold War and were operated with the intention of superseding the Soviet Union and thereby, calming American fear of communism by reinforcing that the U.S. would prevail in the Cold War.
Consumerism
As described in, Making A Nation: The United States and Its People by Jeanne Boydston, Nick Cullather, Jan Lewis, Michael McGerr, and James Oakes, consumer values in the 1950s dominated the American culture and economy. Wartime production during World War II helped pull the economy out of the Great Depression that nearly completely wiped out the disposable income for all American families. In the 1950s, jobs were plentiful and wages were high causing American disposable income to soar. After being deprived from spending during the Great Depression, Americans quickly began to splurge purchasing the latest technology and popular products. To justify their purchases and alleviate their uneasiness about consumption, most of the purchases made by consumers during the 1950s were products that were intended to be used in the home. Americans splurged on televisions, cars, washing machines, toasters, refrigerators, and vacuum cleaners that essentially modernized American lives.
Through excessive consumption of the latest products available on the market, Americans demanded more products, better products, and newer products that would surpass those belonging to the Soviets. This would prove that America had exceeded the Soviets in their technological advancements and were a more modernized and therefore, superior civilization.
In addition, Americans displayed their unlimited support for capitalism in democratic America by being “good” consumers. Being a “good” consumer meant supporting the American economy through excessive purchasing. Supporting the growth of the American economy was seen as an extremely patriotic act. Americans proudly displayed their patriotism to further enforce their devotion to their democratic government and their opposition to the communist government belonging to the Soviet Union.
As described in, Making A Nation: The United States and Its People by Jeanne Boydston, Nick Cullather, Jan Lewis, Michael McGerr, and James Oakes, consumer values in the 1950s dominated the American culture and economy. Wartime production during World War II helped pull the economy out of the Great Depression that nearly completely wiped out the disposable income for all American families. In the 1950s, jobs were plentiful and wages were high causing American disposable income to soar. After being deprived from spending during the Great Depression, Americans quickly began to splurge purchasing the latest technology and popular products. To justify their purchases and alleviate their uneasiness about consumption, most of the purchases made by consumers during the 1950s were products that were intended to be used in the home. Americans splurged on televisions, cars, washing machines, toasters, refrigerators, and vacuum cleaners that essentially modernized American lives.
Through excessive consumption of the latest products available on the market, Americans demanded more products, better products, and newer products that would surpass those belonging to the Soviets. This would prove that America had exceeded the Soviets in their technological advancements and were a more modernized and therefore, superior civilization.
In addition, Americans displayed their unlimited support for capitalism in democratic America by being “good” consumers. Being a “good” consumer meant supporting the American economy through excessive purchasing. Supporting the growth of the American economy was seen as an extremely patriotic act. Americans proudly displayed their patriotism to further enforce their devotion to their democratic government and their opposition to the communist government belonging to the Soviet Union.
Education
The United States deliberately increased their educational funding to help American citizens surpass the intelligence of that of the citizens of the Soviet Union. Funding for education was at an all time high in the 1950s with a special emphasis in science and math. According to Boundless Education, as a result of the extra funding, education became affordably inexpensive which led the United States to have the highest rate of high school and college graduates in the world. By exceeding the Soviet Union in education, it confirmed to Americans that the American government and way of life was far more superior because it yielded preferable results meaning that communism was an inadequate form of government and a dead end.
Additionally, history and English were taught in a way that would boost patriotism. Political values were intertwined within all educational subjects to effectively mold the minds of students into devoted American citizens who would instinctually fear and reject communism. Furthermore, because of the Cold War, there was a constant fear of a nuclear attack on the United States, which brought on the making of the video, “Duck and Cover,” that was shown in classrooms across America. “Duck and Cover” is an instructional video that coached students on what to do in the event of a nuclear attack. It also taught them to be extremely cautious, claiming that by being overly vigilant would prevent injury or harm. Displaying this video especially, created a culture of fear that was fed by the government’s communist paranoia.
The United States deliberately increased their educational funding to help American citizens surpass the intelligence of that of the citizens of the Soviet Union. Funding for education was at an all time high in the 1950s with a special emphasis in science and math. According to Boundless Education, as a result of the extra funding, education became affordably inexpensive which led the United States to have the highest rate of high school and college graduates in the world. By exceeding the Soviet Union in education, it confirmed to Americans that the American government and way of life was far more superior because it yielded preferable results meaning that communism was an inadequate form of government and a dead end.
Additionally, history and English were taught in a way that would boost patriotism. Political values were intertwined within all educational subjects to effectively mold the minds of students into devoted American citizens who would instinctually fear and reject communism. Furthermore, because of the Cold War, there was a constant fear of a nuclear attack on the United States, which brought on the making of the video, “Duck and Cover,” that was shown in classrooms across America. “Duck and Cover” is an instructional video that coached students on what to do in the event of a nuclear attack. It also taught them to be extremely cautious, claiming that by being overly vigilant would prevent injury or harm. Displaying this video especially, created a culture of fear that was fed by the government’s communist paranoia.
Art & Music
Music and art were other disciplines where the rigorous competition between the Soviets and the United States was at an all time high. The American government funded dance companies, orchestras, jazz bands, and solo musicians to tour around the world, especially in the Soviet Union, to boast American dance and music to prove the American advantage over these creative fields. Furthermore, the Cold War was often used as a foundation in several works. For example, songs like "Advice to Joe" by Roy Acuff, "Get that Communist, Joe" by The Kavaliers, "Russia, Russia (Lay That Missile Down)" by Prescott Reed, and "I'm No Communist" by Carson Robison were directly inspired by the Cold War and depicted the Cold War's effects on the collective American state of mind. The worries, fears, and hatred the American people felt during the 1950s surrounding communism and its political ideals were clearly illistrated into art and music in the 1950s.
The free-flowing art forms and music, in particular the unrestrained harmonies of jazz music, represented the freedom that American citizens experienced through a democratic government. By touring in the Soviet Union, America highlighted their unbound freedom while emphasizing in comparison the little freedom communism allowed or helped flourish. By highlighting that communism stripped humans of their freedom, the United States wanted to undermine communism within the Soviet Union to either overthrow it or at least contain it to keep communistic ideals from spreading.
Music and art were other disciplines where the rigorous competition between the Soviets and the United States was at an all time high. The American government funded dance companies, orchestras, jazz bands, and solo musicians to tour around the world, especially in the Soviet Union, to boast American dance and music to prove the American advantage over these creative fields. Furthermore, the Cold War was often used as a foundation in several works. For example, songs like "Advice to Joe" by Roy Acuff, "Get that Communist, Joe" by The Kavaliers, "Russia, Russia (Lay That Missile Down)" by Prescott Reed, and "I'm No Communist" by Carson Robison were directly inspired by the Cold War and depicted the Cold War's effects on the collective American state of mind. The worries, fears, and hatred the American people felt during the 1950s surrounding communism and its political ideals were clearly illistrated into art and music in the 1950s.
The free-flowing art forms and music, in particular the unrestrained harmonies of jazz music, represented the freedom that American citizens experienced through a democratic government. By touring in the Soviet Union, America highlighted their unbound freedom while emphasizing in comparison the little freedom communism allowed or helped flourish. By highlighting that communism stripped humans of their freedom, the United States wanted to undermine communism within the Soviet Union to either overthrow it or at least contain it to keep communistic ideals from spreading.
Gender Roles
American soldiers returned home after World War II either reuniting with their significant others or immediately beginning the search for “the one.” Thus, marriage rates throughout the 1950s were at an all time high. As a result, an abundance of newborn babies were being born—so much so, that this time period also became known as the “baby boom.” With the population increasing at a rapid rate, families began to expand into the suburbs away from the cities. As families formed so did the cultural norm of the traditional nuclear family.
A family with strict gender roles defined the traditional nuclear family. According to a scholarly article written by Phillip Anthony O'Hara's, a professor at Curtin University of Technology, "Household Labor, the Family and Macroeconomics Instability in the United States: 1940s-1990s," women stayed at home and completed household duties such as cleaning, washing clothes, purchasing groceries, preparing meals, purchasing family clothing, and ensuring that each family member’s needs were met. Women were taught how to optimally fulfill these duties in school with the introduction of “Home Economics” classes. Men were expected to become educated and work to provide financial backing for his family. Men were generally seen as more intelligent, more skilled, and stronger than women--hence, superior than women.
During this socially conservative time, clearly defined gender roles provided the American culture with structure that gave everyone a dictated secular purpose and place in life. Free people ruled by a democratic government combined with a structured family life provided the sense of balance between security and freedom that the Soviet Union could not achieve. This balance was seen as an advantage and was preferable by the American people over the overly structured and controlling ideals of communism. This perceived advantage helped the American people feel superior to the communists and helped them reject communism altogether.
American soldiers returned home after World War II either reuniting with their significant others or immediately beginning the search for “the one.” Thus, marriage rates throughout the 1950s were at an all time high. As a result, an abundance of newborn babies were being born—so much so, that this time period also became known as the “baby boom.” With the population increasing at a rapid rate, families began to expand into the suburbs away from the cities. As families formed so did the cultural norm of the traditional nuclear family.
A family with strict gender roles defined the traditional nuclear family. According to a scholarly article written by Phillip Anthony O'Hara's, a professor at Curtin University of Technology, "Household Labor, the Family and Macroeconomics Instability in the United States: 1940s-1990s," women stayed at home and completed household duties such as cleaning, washing clothes, purchasing groceries, preparing meals, purchasing family clothing, and ensuring that each family member’s needs were met. Women were taught how to optimally fulfill these duties in school with the introduction of “Home Economics” classes. Men were expected to become educated and work to provide financial backing for his family. Men were generally seen as more intelligent, more skilled, and stronger than women--hence, superior than women.
During this socially conservative time, clearly defined gender roles provided the American culture with structure that gave everyone a dictated secular purpose and place in life. Free people ruled by a democratic government combined with a structured family life provided the sense of balance between security and freedom that the Soviet Union could not achieve. This balance was seen as an advantage and was preferable by the American people over the overly structured and controlling ideals of communism. This perceived advantage helped the American people feel superior to the communists and helped them reject communism altogether.
Propaganda
Propaganda played an important role in the 1950s as another war tactic of the Cold War. According to John B. Whitton, in a chapter titled, “Cold War Propaganda,” in his book, The American Journal of International Law, there was an underlying propaganda war between the Soviet Union and the United States that was fervently fought. This was a war that could only be won by the United States by successfully convincing the people to support democracy and to reject communism.
Propaganda during the 1950s held clear and obvious political messages that supported democracy and were “integrated into popular culture” in films, television, books, radio, and magazine ads. It revolved around demonizing communism while celebrating the prosperity of capitalism and the fundamental values of democracy. The U.S. highlighted the benefits of the American traditional nuclear family, educational system, community life, racial integration, and citizen obedience and loyalty through propaganda to promote the American government and the American way of life. Furthermore, the U.S. cleverly used propaganda in Europe by donating “Truth Dollars” to help fund Radio Free Europe. The United States permeated Radio Free Europe with propaganda-filled radio talk shows that repeatedly pointed out the failings of the Soviet Union and the communist system whilst promoting democracy. This was an effective way to spread the ideals of democracy throughout Europe while shedding negative light on communism and the Soviet Union.
Propaganda was also used to educate the public about the dangers of the atomic and hydrogen bombs and provide training in the event of an attack. Consequently, the American people lived in constant paranoid fear of an attack on the U.S. They began to frantically build fallout shelters in hopes of surviving an attack.
In every way, propaganda in the 1950s spread fear like wild fire through the minds of American citizens. It repeatedly reminded the American people that communism was threat to their freedom. On the other hand, propaganda spread intense patriotism that protected democracy from extinction by convincing the people to reject communism and fully support a democracy. It reinforced the idea that America and its democratic government was superior to the Soviet Union and its communist government. Perceiving that America was superior and stronger than the Soviet Union helped relieve the American people of their constant fear that communism would overthrow democracy and take away their freedom because they believed, since America was stronger, it could successfully defend itself from communism and win the Cold War.
Propaganda played an important role in the 1950s as another war tactic of the Cold War. According to John B. Whitton, in a chapter titled, “Cold War Propaganda,” in his book, The American Journal of International Law, there was an underlying propaganda war between the Soviet Union and the United States that was fervently fought. This was a war that could only be won by the United States by successfully convincing the people to support democracy and to reject communism.
Propaganda during the 1950s held clear and obvious political messages that supported democracy and were “integrated into popular culture” in films, television, books, radio, and magazine ads. It revolved around demonizing communism while celebrating the prosperity of capitalism and the fundamental values of democracy. The U.S. highlighted the benefits of the American traditional nuclear family, educational system, community life, racial integration, and citizen obedience and loyalty through propaganda to promote the American government and the American way of life. Furthermore, the U.S. cleverly used propaganda in Europe by donating “Truth Dollars” to help fund Radio Free Europe. The United States permeated Radio Free Europe with propaganda-filled radio talk shows that repeatedly pointed out the failings of the Soviet Union and the communist system whilst promoting democracy. This was an effective way to spread the ideals of democracy throughout Europe while shedding negative light on communism and the Soviet Union.
Propaganda was also used to educate the public about the dangers of the atomic and hydrogen bombs and provide training in the event of an attack. Consequently, the American people lived in constant paranoid fear of an attack on the U.S. They began to frantically build fallout shelters in hopes of surviving an attack.
In every way, propaganda in the 1950s spread fear like wild fire through the minds of American citizens. It repeatedly reminded the American people that communism was threat to their freedom. On the other hand, propaganda spread intense patriotism that protected democracy from extinction by convincing the people to reject communism and fully support a democracy. It reinforced the idea that America and its democratic government was superior to the Soviet Union and its communist government. Perceiving that America was superior and stronger than the Soviet Union helped relieve the American people of their constant fear that communism would overthrow democracy and take away their freedom because they believed, since America was stronger, it could successfully defend itself from communism and win the Cold War.
A piece of 1950s propaganda in the form of a video that instructs the American people on how to identify a communist and further sheds negative light on communism while feeding the public's fear.
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Authored by: Elizabeth Noriega
1950s Entertainment
Television
Television made a huge influence in the 1950s. As television became more popular, it replaced newspapers as the most common source of information because it was the new quickest way to spread new information. Not only did television inform you with information, they also aired advertisements that made a huge impact on consumer goods. TV ads were primarily intended for middle-class suburban viewers that portrayed images of the good life based on endless consumption. It provided families a new way to spend leisure time and even affected how American families would eat dinner. For example, they substituted homemade cooked dinner to frozen TV dinners, which were introduced in 1954. By eating TV dinners while watching a TV program, it provided Americans with a feeling of common cultural experience. Although to avoid controversy during McCarthyism, TV showed a bland image of middle class life. Popular shows like The Honeymooners and The Goldbergs were soon replaced with quiz shows, westerns, and comedies. By the end of the 1950s, about nine out of ten American families owned a TV set.
Television made a huge influence in the 1950s. As television became more popular, it replaced newspapers as the most common source of information because it was the new quickest way to spread new information. Not only did television inform you with information, they also aired advertisements that made a huge impact on consumer goods. TV ads were primarily intended for middle-class suburban viewers that portrayed images of the good life based on endless consumption. It provided families a new way to spend leisure time and even affected how American families would eat dinner. For example, they substituted homemade cooked dinner to frozen TV dinners, which were introduced in 1954. By eating TV dinners while watching a TV program, it provided Americans with a feeling of common cultural experience. Although to avoid controversy during McCarthyism, TV showed a bland image of middle class life. Popular shows like The Honeymooners and The Goldbergs were soon replaced with quiz shows, westerns, and comedies. By the end of the 1950s, about nine out of ten American families owned a TV set.
Hollywood
Within these movies and programs, there were hidden communism messages and portrayed how society should act. A national security agency, “Militant Liberty”, encouraged Hollywood to produce anticommunist movies such as The Red Menace (1949) and wanted the films scripts to be modified to remove “less-than-praiseworthy” aspects of American history. After World War II, the United States and Soviet Union engaged in a military and political rivalry known as the Cold War. Numerous Americans felt that they should have containment and prevent the spread of communism in attempt to extend and promote their system of government. Numerous anti-communists legislators were concerned that movie industries were able to show subversive propaganda through the media.
In 1947, the House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC) formed a series of hearings about communist influence in Hollywood. The hearing was accusing movie industries were sheltering numerous communists. Due to this, Hollywood Ten was produced, which were ten accused members of the Hollywood film industry who received jail sentences and were banned from working in Hollywood studios. They would later refer it to Hollywood blacklisting which was the denial of employment.
Within these movies and programs, there were hidden communism messages and portrayed how society should act. A national security agency, “Militant Liberty”, encouraged Hollywood to produce anticommunist movies such as The Red Menace (1949) and wanted the films scripts to be modified to remove “less-than-praiseworthy” aspects of American history. After World War II, the United States and Soviet Union engaged in a military and political rivalry known as the Cold War. Numerous Americans felt that they should have containment and prevent the spread of communism in attempt to extend and promote their system of government. Numerous anti-communists legislators were concerned that movie industries were able to show subversive propaganda through the media.
In 1947, the House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC) formed a series of hearings about communist influence in Hollywood. The hearing was accusing movie industries were sheltering numerous communists. Due to this, Hollywood Ten was produced, which were ten accused members of the Hollywood film industry who received jail sentences and were banned from working in Hollywood studios. They would later refer it to Hollywood blacklisting which was the denial of employment.
Red Scare
The second Red Scare between 1947-1950s was known as McCarthyism after senator, Joseph McCarthy. It was a time of great fear of communism spreading. Joseph McCarthy took advantage of this fear and became popular off his tactics. He was known as a bully who would intimidate witnesses and make false accusations with no evidence to back it up. His main goal was to gain attention and make headlines, which he was able to do for four years by continuing to make false accusations about communists. One of his main tactics was when he waved a piece of paper saying he has 205 names of communists who were working in the secretary of state.
Another way to report communist influence in radio and television was Red Channels. After suspicion of communism in the entertainment industry, the investigation continued for several more years. A right-wing journal, Counterattack, published a book with 151 names of actors, writers, directors, producers, musicians, and other entertainers who believed were linked with communism. Red Channels claimed that many of those entertainers who were listed were actively engaged in manipulating the entertainment industry and blacklisted these entertainers. In order to avoid controversy, executives would avoid hiring people on the blacklist because they didn’t want to lose their advertising sponsors. Many people lives have been affected by the Red Scare. Many careers were ruined and the entertainment industry was also affected because they have to be more cautious of which entertainer to include in their industry and which scripts with controversial plots to stay away from.
The second Red Scare between 1947-1950s was known as McCarthyism after senator, Joseph McCarthy. It was a time of great fear of communism spreading. Joseph McCarthy took advantage of this fear and became popular off his tactics. He was known as a bully who would intimidate witnesses and make false accusations with no evidence to back it up. His main goal was to gain attention and make headlines, which he was able to do for four years by continuing to make false accusations about communists. One of his main tactics was when he waved a piece of paper saying he has 205 names of communists who were working in the secretary of state.
Another way to report communist influence in radio and television was Red Channels. After suspicion of communism in the entertainment industry, the investigation continued for several more years. A right-wing journal, Counterattack, published a book with 151 names of actors, writers, directors, producers, musicians, and other entertainers who believed were linked with communism. Red Channels claimed that many of those entertainers who were listed were actively engaged in manipulating the entertainment industry and blacklisted these entertainers. In order to avoid controversy, executives would avoid hiring people on the blacklist because they didn’t want to lose their advertising sponsors. Many people lives have been affected by the Red Scare. Many careers were ruined and the entertainment industry was also affected because they have to be more cautious of which entertainer to include in their industry and which scripts with controversial plots to stay away from.
School
Besides the affect on media, communism also took a toll on education. Local anticommunist groups forced public libraries to remove "un-American" books off the shelves. For example, they wanted tales of Robin Hood to be discarded because the plot was taking from the rich to give to the poor. Universities also refused to allow left-wing speakers to appear on campus and teachers were forced to sign loyalty oaths and to testify against on another or else they would be fired.
Besides the affect on media, communism also took a toll on education. Local anticommunist groups forced public libraries to remove "un-American" books off the shelves. For example, they wanted tales of Robin Hood to be discarded because the plot was taking from the rich to give to the poor. Universities also refused to allow left-wing speakers to appear on campus and teachers were forced to sign loyalty oaths and to testify against on another or else they would be fired.
Authored by: Stacey Nguyen