The 1950s is such an interesting decade. You see economic prosperity, conflict both at home and abroad with the outbreak of The Korean War, The Cold War, Red Scare and the emergence of The Civil Rights Movement. For the first time in its history, The United States was the world’s strongest military power and was setting the tone for the world. Second only to what the Soviet Union was doing in its sphere of influence.
The 1950s saw tremendous growth for the United States. Economic growth, growth of cities in terms of the creation of suburban communities, growth of families with the baby boomer generation, growth of industries. The baby boom in the post WWII era was not just in the United States. Populations boomed in a number of other countries as well. The economic troubles brought on by The Great Depression and the years of war saw the size of American families shrink drastically. In the post WWII years of 1946 -1964, more than 70 million people were born in the United States. It is estimated that about 4 million babies were born each year in the 1950s becoming what would become known as the baby boom generation. By 1964, this generation made up 40% of the US population. Long gone were the propaganda posters encouraging women to work outside of the home. Long gone were the opportunities for women in industries that had become available options for women when the majority of able bodied men were fighting in Europe and the Pacific theaters of WWII. The new propaganda machine marketed the notions of marriage and motherhood for American women. It was the nuclear family unit that set us apart from The Communists. Rosie the Riveter was no longer the image for American women to portray. Feminine hairdos, perfectly done, dresses, heels and pearls replaced the coveralls. There was no greater calling for women than that of the American housewife and mother. The typical age for women to get married was either right out of high school or while women were in college (if they attended a four-year school). It became known as M.R.S. degree. Fear of becoming an old maid if they weren’t engaged or married by their early twenties. While employment rates for women were still higher during this decade than in earlier ones, the image of the happy housewife dominated American media. For families that could afford to live on one salary, if the wife and mother of that family still chose to work, she was considered selfish, putting her want of a career ahead of the needs of her husband and children. Oddly enough, many women worked to help pay for higher education degrees for their husbands. Some colleges and universities marked this by having separate ceremonies for wives of graduates and gave them honorary PHTs, Putting The Husband Through… How's that for a compliment? There is also a difference between having a job and having a career or even having career aspirations. When a person has a career they have a path with goals in mind of what they want to achieve in this facet of their life. They are looking at things from a strategic perspective. Looking to get a raise, a promotion, perhaps a certain title. Even when women first started to be admitted to some colleges or colleges and universities specifically for women were established, there was a limit on the courses that were offered and the women who attended colleges and universities they understood was that they were expected to put domestic duties first. If you look back into history a bit, it’s a little known fact that The Seneca Falls Convention wasn’t just held in the hopes of gaining support for Suffrage but to also gain support for education for women. As recently as 1970, women were still being barred from male –only courses and fields of study. Even participation in high and college sports was significantly limited for women until the passage of Title IX in 1972 which I will talk more about when we get up to that point in history. Lack of available contraception choices for women saw large families become the norm. With women getting married so young, they potentially had 3 decades of child bearing years. While condoms for men had been widely available since the 1920s, female oral contraceptives get created in the 1950s but it isn’t until the next decade and beyond that they are a widely available to women.
US Economy Post WWII GDP more than doubled between 1945 and 1960. This time period is considered The Golden Age of Capitalism
The Creation of Suburbs, it would be impossible to discuss this topic without mentioning – William Levitt. Levitt was a WWII veteran and when he returned to the United States he recognized the need for affordable housing. Levitt knew how to build homes and to build them quickly using a mass production assembly line method. Levitt cut costs in a number of ways. He purchased materials directly from manufacturers, built a factory to make his own nails and didn’t use union laborers. The homes were known for their uniformity. The theme of conformity during the 1950s didn’t just pertain to the style of homes but the way people dressed, and the roles men and women were expected to play within society. His first neighborhood was located on Long Island near Hempstead and it was named Levittown. The homes were fully furnished and cost $8,000. He went on to build Levittowns in NJ, PA and even in Puerto Rico! Levitt became one of the wealthiest men in America. Levitt’s refusal to hire Union workers wasn’t the only reason protestors came to the picket lines. Levitt refused to integrate his neighborhoods. To ensure Levittown remained an all-white neighborhood, the sale agreements included restrictive covenants which said that when buyers sold their homes, they had to resell it to whites.
With the invention of the automobile came the possibility of being able to live further away from where you worked. You didn’t have to live in or near the city. As more roads were paved and highways were built with at least 4 lanes (two in each direction) to reduce congestion and to allow largely populated areas to be evacuated quickly and safely if needed in an emergency. It wasn’t always easy to get from one place to another. At one point, traveling 10 miles away from one’s home was a task that could take an entire day. It wasn’t easy convincing elected officials to build highways and they did come with a number of negative effects like the displacement of whole neighborhoods at times.
Today, people think nothing of hopping in their car and journeying across the country either bound for the east coast, the west coast, the Deep South or wherever their journey is taking them. When automobiles first became commonplace, that wasn’t something people dared to do. It was far safer to take a train. Most roads were made out of packed dirt and when it rained, most became unpassable. Automobiling as it was called was considered an adventure. Cars weren’t commonplace. By 1920 you had 1 car for every 18,000 Americans. A far cry from what life is like today. You didn’t just hop into your car and go out onto the open road. That would take decades. We will get to that part of history, but first, a little story. In 1919, 11 cars departed the White House on a journey west in 1919 in order to determine the feasibility of a westward trip for military vehicles. On average, the caravan was able to do about 40 miles per day. Now it took upwards of 7-10 hours to be able to drive that distance. Lack of paved roads, rest stops, gas stations, even mechanic shops. It required massive amounts of planning, including selecting the best roads to take to reach their destination. It took 62 days for them to reach their destination in San Francisco where they were welcomed to fanfare and a parade. One of the men in this expedition was none other than Dwight Eisenhower. He would famously rise up the ranks in the military, become supreme allied commander during WWII, become a household name in The United States and be elected President in 1953. The report concluded that travel through Midwestern states by car was impractical. Road conditions needed to be improved. One of the first Intercontinental road systems was known as The Lincoln Highway. Dedicated in 1913, it stretched from New York’s Time Square to Lincoln Park in San Francisco, California. This was actually the first national memorial to President Abraham Lincoln. The Lincoln memorial wouldn’t be finished until 1922. It helped to improve the economies of the cities and towns it connected. The Federal Government looked to continue to improve conditions of roadways again in 1916, when it earmarked 75 Million for the construction and improvement of highways but the outbreak of WWI would limit the success of this program because funds were needed for the war effort. In 1956, when the Interstate Highway Act was passed, it was very popular. But, when the harsh realities of the necessary evils of building these new highways came to life, we see large-scale backlash and protests. In urban areas, land was often not in abundance and neighborhoods would need to be leveled in order to make way for the new highways. THE majority of the neighborhoods that were affected were Urban communities of color. According to the US Department of Transportation, it is estimated that about 1 million people were displaced. One of the most infamous urban planners during this time period was New York City’s Robert Moses. Moses once famously said that when building highways, you go through cities, not around them. While Moses was a genius in his field, and able to see things on a map that most people couldn’t and is known for building NYC into what it is today, he was a staunch racist. He is known for building Jones Beach State Park, The Brooklyn-Battery Tunnel (it has a new name now, but I will always call it the Brooklyn Battery Tunnel). The Tri-Boro Bridge, The Throgsneck Bridge, Marine Parkway Bridge, The Verrazano Bridge, The Whitestone Bridge, The BQE, The Staten Island Expressway, Lincoln Center, Shea Stadium, the list goes on and on. Urban planners came from all over the country and the world to learn from Robert Moses. In many of his projects, Moses hoped to keep neighborhoods white or to prevent people from color to be able to get there, especially Jones Beach out on Long Island. There were a number of negative impacts with the Interstate highway system. For town that were bypassed by these new roads, they couldn’t compete and they died out. Eminent domain left people with little recourse and they had no choice but to settle elsewhere. These negatives whil significant for those directly impacted by them are easily overshadowed by the positives. These roads connected the people and economies of the continental United States. It allowed for people and goods to travel safer and faster. It allowed for the movement of people from the cities to suburban communities and helped to connect people in even the most rural of communities.
It took decades to complete the highway system and well surpassed the initial budget. The total cost was 114 Billion dollars. The final miles of roadway weren’t completed until 1992. What once took 62 days, one could now travel by car from the east coast to west coast in just 42 hours.
American women in the 1950s
When World War II came to an end, the dynamic of many American households shifted dramatically. Women who had stepped into critical roles in factories and offices during the war were now encouraged to return to a more traditional domestic lifestyle. This push was fueled by societal expectations and the longing for pre-war family structures. Men returning from the front lines expected to resume their positions as primary breadwinners, which often meant women had to leave their wartime jobs.
However, this transition wasn't straightforward. During the war, women had experienced a level of independence and responsibility that was new for many of them. They had not only proven their capabilities but had also enjoyed the sense of achievement that came from contributing to the economy and their communities. For these women, the return to exclusively domestic roles felt like a step back, creating internal conflicts between their aspirations and societal norms.
Daily life in the 1950s was heavily influenced by the media, which often promoted the ideal of the perfect housewife. Television shows and advertisements depicted women as the heart of the home, responsible for maintaining a spotless house, preparing meals, and caring for children—all while looking immaculate. These images set a high bar, making it difficult for many women to meet these expectations without feeling a sense of inadequacy.
Additionally, the post-war baby boom added another layer of complexity. With larger families to care for, the demands on women’s time and energy increased. Many women found themselves juggling household chores, child-rearing, and in some cases, part-time work to help make ends meet.
Despite the pressures to conform to traditional roles, some women found ways to balance their new domestic duties with their desire for personal growth. They formed social clubs, engaged in community service, and sought educational opportunities, all of which provided a sense of fulfillment beyond their roles at home. This delicate balancing act highlighted the resilience and resourcefulness of women during this transformative period.
The cultural landscape of the 1950s played a crucial role in shaping the lives of American women. Television and other media outlets frequently showcased idealized images of family life, where women were often seen as devoted homemakers. Shows like "Leave It to Beaver" and "Father Knows Best" became household staples, presenting a consistent message that a woman's primary duty was to maintain a happy and well-kept home. These portrayals reinforced the belief that women should find their greatest satisfaction in domestic responsibilities, even though many women had experienced different roles during the war.
In addition to television, magazines and advertisements also promoted specific ideals of beauty and behavior. Women were encouraged to look immaculate, with perfectly styled hair, makeup, and attire, regardless of their daily challenges. Fashion of the 1950s emphasized femininity, with full skirts, fitted waists, and elegant dresses becoming the norm. The beauty industry boomed as women were urged to use various products to achieve the perfect look. This emphasis on appearance added pressure, as women felt the need to present themselves flawlessly while managing their homes and families.
Moreover, the rise of suburban living during this decade brought about a new set of cultural expectations. The suburban ideal included a comfortable home, a well-kept lawn, and an active social life centered around neighborhood activities. Women were often the planners and organizers of these social events, which further solidified their roles within the home and community. While this lifestyle offered certain comforts, it also came with its own set of pressures and expectations.
Life in The United States for people of color was changing as well, but slowly. One of the things we discussed during a few of our WWII episodes was the concept of the Double V campaign. Black soldiers were fighting for freedom abroad but they were also fighting for freedom at home. To be considered first class citizens. To be able to register to vote, to have equal protection under the law, to bring an end to segregation and Jim Crow laws. We are going to have a series of episodes on The Civil Rights movement, leaders of the civil rights movement and key events like Brown vs. The Board of Education and desegregation of schools. I do want to briefly discuss some of the changes we begin to see. President Truman desegregated the US Military in the late 1940s but before that we see the emergence of important groups like CORE which was created in 1942 in Chicago. CORE stands for Congress of Racial Equality. Activists who established CORE were heavily influenced by the teachings of Gandhi and peaceful, nonviolent protests. The NAACP which was established in the early 1900s continued on with the work to bring about racial equality. I will get into more specifics on later episodes.
Pop Culture – The Barbie Doll was the first toy doll with adult features and came out in 1959 Designed by a husband and wife team at Mattel toy company, Barbie, whose full name is Barbara Milliecent Roberts would go on to become one of the most iconic children’s toys of all time. The doll was modeled after a doll made based on a German comic strip character named Lili. That doll was marketed as a racy gag gift and was sold in tobacco shops.
Mr. Potato Head was sold by Hasbro and was the very first toy ever marketed on television. At First Mr. Potato head was just sold with the plastic accessories and push pins so that they could be attached to real potatoes or other vegetables.
PlayDoh became available to the public in 1956 but it was invented much earlier and for a very different purpose. It was used as a pliable dough to remove soot from wallpaper. As people used coal less and less to heat their homes, the company looked for another use for their product. The owner’s sister in law tested out the non toxic doh with her students and they loved molding it into different shapes. Thus PlayDoh was born! The product sold more as a toy than it did as a wall paper cleaner!
The 1950s saw the emergence of Rock n roll music which has its origins in a blend of different musical traditions, particularly rhythm and blues, country, and gospel. This unique combination created a sound that was both familiar and entirely new, catching the attention of a young audience hungry for innovation. The post-World War II era saw a significant shift in societal attitudes, and music became a key outlet for this change. As musicians experimented with these varied styles, rock n roll began to take shape as a genre that defied the conventional norms of the time. Rock n Roll was a big departure from the music of the 1940s were big bands and crooners like Ella Fitgerald, Louis Armstrong, Bing Crosby, Nat King Cole & Frank Sinatra were mainstays of the 1940s music scene.
The 1950s was a period of great social change in the United States, with increasing exposure to different cultures and ideas. This period allowed rock n roll to flourish, fueled by technological advancements like the widespread use of the electric guitar and improvements in recording technology. The electric guitar, in particular, became a defining element of rock n roll, providing a raw and powerful sound that resonated deeply with listeners.
As rock n roll gained popularity, it started to reflect the diverse experiences of its audience. This inclusivity helped the genre break down racial barriers, bringing together fans from various backgrounds. African American artists, in particular, played a crucial role in shaping the sound and spirit of rock n roll, even as they often faced significant obstacles in gaining mainstream recognition.
Radio stations played a pivotal role in introducing rock n roll to the masses. Disc jockeys who embraced the new sound helped bring it into the mainstream, making it accessible to a wider audience. This widespread exposure allowed rock n roll to become a unifying force, bridging gaps between different segments of society and setting the stage for a cultural transformation.
Elvis Presley is one of the most prominent figures in rock n roll. By the end of 1956, Elvis had achieved a remarkable feat, becoming the first artist ever to have nine singles simultaneously on the Hot 100 chart.
Chuck Berry also made significant contributions to the genre with his innovative guitar playing and lively performances. His energetic stage presence and catchy songs set a new standard for musicians, influencing many artists who came after him. Chuck's unique style became a cornerstone of rock n roll, shaping its sound and performance.
Little Richard brought an unmatched energy to the stage. His piano-driven hits and dynamic performances made him a standout star. Songs like "Tutti Frutti" and "Long Tall Sally" showcased his powerful voice and theatrical style, leaving a lasting impact on the music world.Buddy Holly's approach to rock n roll was more understated but no less influential. With hits like "Peggy Sue" and "That'll Be the Day," he demonstrated the genre's versatility.Lastly, Jerry Lee Lewis brought a wild and unpredictable energy to rock n roll with his frenetic piano playing and charismatic performances. Known for hits like "Great Balls of Fire," Lewis pushed the boundaries of what rock n roll could be, adding to its ever-growing appeal. These figures collectively pushed the genre forward, each adding their own flair and expanding the possibilities of rock n roll music.
Film and movie stars also made their mark on American pop culture. Alfred Hitchcock’s film Dial M for Murder which starred Grace Kelly who went on to marry the Prince of Monaco and became a real princess, not just Hollywood royalty. Another Kelly – Gene Kelly and one of my favorite films of all time, Singing in the Rain.
During this time, some of the most famous actors in history made their mark. Marilyn Monroe in some like it hot. , became an icon and the epitome of beauty for the decade. Elizabeth Taylor was another famous actress of the 50s. Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Peck in Roman Holiday, Judy Garland in a Star is Born also dazzled audiences. On the male side, actors like John Wayne and Charlton Heston played rugged, heroic characters whether it be Wayne’s characters in Old Westerns or Heston’s portrayal of Ben-Hur.
The 1950s is often referred to as a decade of conformity. You certainly see that in terms of gender roles, the rise of suburban life with what appears to be this cookie cutter lifestyle but the truth is that not everyone is living this way. The 1950s also gives way to great change and movements especially if you look at The Civil Rights Movements and technological advances made during this decade. We are going to have a series of episodes on The Civil Rights Movement of the 1950s and discuss the people and events that served as a catalyst for great and necessary change within American society.
