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 * The 1950s in America **

1950's

The 1950's were quite radical in fact, this is the decade that began rock n' roll, the civil rights movement, better [|family] living, advances in technology, Fashion, medical research, other wonderful things this country was not used to seeing or hearing. The 1950's were looked at more as a state of mind or a way of [|living] rather than just another decade or time era in American history. Everything was peaceful now, which looking back on the two world wars and the great depression this country was not used to at all. Nobody worried about war, nobody worried about how they were going to feed their children and keep a roof over their heads because everyone had jobs and the economy was doing great. (Edey, Maitlanded.57) Teenagers were having more fun than ever too. Rock n' roll was introduced to them and they all seemed at the time to know what they wanted out of life, to go to school, graduate, get a job, get married, and have children all in that order just as their parents had. (Clayton, Andrew.24) The 1950's were the most influential decade in American history because the civil rights act began, fashion was completely new and trendy, there were much advancement in entertainment and medicine, and suburban life was much more "functional" than any other decade in American history. One reason the 1950's were the most influential decade in American history is because rock and roll was introduced to the country and it let people forget about their [|morals] for a while and just let loose to have fun. (Pareles, John.3) Elvis Presley was quite the king of rock and roll, with songs like hound dog, don't be cruel, and love me tender and ready teddy Elvis lit up the stage. ("Elvis Presley-Biographical Timeline-The Fifties") Elvis was born on January eighth 1935. He purchased his first guitar in 1946 for $12.95 at the local hardware store. In 1954 Sam Phillips teams Elvis up with local musicians Scotty Moore (guitar) and Bill Black (bass). By November of 1955 Elvis had signed his first record contract with RCA His contract was for $40,000, and a $5,000 signing bonus for Elvis. In April of 1956Elvis signed a seven-year movie contract with Hal Wallace and Paramount Pictures. The most famous film Elvis came out with ; Jailhouse Rock came out in May of 1957. This is the film that really helped Elvis launch his career. Elvis was so well known because of the new style he brought to rock and roll. Elvis once said,"Some people tap their feet, some people snap their fingers, and some people sway back and fourth. I just sorta do 'em all together, I guess."(Elvis P. Interview, "Elvis Presley-Biographical Timeline-The Fifties) Elvis knew he had created something new in music something wonderful that would last for quite sometime. Rock and roll was more than just music to listen to, some people believe it was music to live by. (Mcleese, Don.5) The music was just the beginning of the fun and well being people endured in the 1950's.

The 1950's were a great time and one main reason was because most people were happy with their lives because everything was "perfect." In the 1950's most men had their wives, their kids, and their cars. That was pretty much all they needed to survive. The reason everyone had jobs is because the economy was doing so great. The economy was doing so great because after WWII European industry had virtually stopped militarily and economically because of the damage done during the war. This is when America stepped up with the fact that suburbanites were now wanted and could now afford consumer goods. In the 50's American's were able to enjoy a much higher standard of living because of higher paying jobs. (Clayton, Andrew. 34) With the U.S. producing half of all the worlds goods, 60% of Americans were now part of the middle class. Which meant there were less poor people than there were rich or middle class people. Between 1949 and 1959 the number of mergers rose by 300% because most small businesses were being taken over by large corporations, many feared that this would cause much chaos because these corporations had so much power. In reality this was why the U.S. was doing so good and 60% of the country was now part of the middle class, this was due to the fact that 605 of America was being paid the same amount of money. America was now in a time of peace and prosperity due to the economy's well being and no one wanted that to end.

Political Issues ** Korean War ** - A conflict beginning as a result of North Korea turning to communism and threatening the peace of South Korea. When North Korea threatened invasion of South Korea, a coalition force of Britain and the U.S. stepped in to stop North Korea from spreading communism. The war that resulted was a success for the U.S. as they pushed North Korean troops out if South Korea and defended the nation from communist aggression. ** Cold War ** - An arms race between the U.S. and the Soviet Union over nuclear weapons. If it had gone hot the war could have threatened the entire world with nuclear fallout. Neither side actually fought the other in open conflict, instead they fought smaller allies of the other. Many people in America took this threat very seriously as it could have happened at any time. People listened to the radio constantly waiting for news of an attack and some even built bomb shelters in their backyard. ** The Red Scare- ** The fear of communist spies in the United States. Prejudice against Russian Americans was very common whether it was justified or not. As many innocent people were persecuted, no one spoke out for fear of their own life. This unfortunate new form of racism was present throughout the 1950’s.

Population: 151,684,000 (U.S. Dept. of Commerce, Bureau of the Census)* Unemployed: 3,288,000 Life expectancy: Women 71.1, men 65.6 Car Sales: 6,665,800 Average Salary: $2,992 Labor Force male/female: 5/2 Cost of a loaf of bread: $0.14 Bomb shelter plans, like the government pamphlet //You Can Survive//, become widely available

**__ Fashion in the 1950’s __** Many men's coats were modeled in the style of fighter pilots jackets, also pedal pushers, and known, as the Capri or pirate pants became popular. Bermuda shorts and Hawaii shirts appeared because Hawaii had recently become a state and women while in the kitchen they wore a full skirt, frilly apron, nipped waist, and a slim bodice all on top of tall stiletto heals. Many younger girls wore full skirts with stiff petticoats or pencil skirts and sweaters. Beatniks wore black turtleneck sweaters or crumpled T-shirts, with un-pressed jeans. Greasers wore Jeans T-shirts, and leather jackets, they usually greased their hair back