Being a Teenager in the 1950’s

Overview• The word Teenager was created in the 1950’s due to the tremendous

population of those in this age category.

• Teenagers were able to buy more things like food, clothes and music because of an increase in spending money.

• Females were taught how to take care of the household and prepare themselves to be a dutiful wife and take care of children.

• Some would say looking at society in general that the first indication or act of teenage rebellion began in the 1950’s.

Politics

Presidential Races

• Truman was president from ‘45- ’53.

• Eisenhower (Republican) against Adlai Stevenson

• Eisenhower wins popular vote of 32.9 million

• US teens felt protected because Eisenhower said he would use force (“nuke”).

Eisenhower on the War

Industry

Political Climate

• Alger Hiss, the State Department official under investigation for his Communist ties, receives a five-year prison sentence for perjury.

• Hawaii becomes the 50th State.• Reports circulate that US has exploded a

hydrogen bomb. • McCarthyism hits America.• US citizens live in fright of the Cold War

Civil Rights Movement

• Brown vs. Board of education makes segregation illegal in public schools.

• July 26, 1954- Army announces desegregation of Army.• Supreme Court overturns Plessy v. Ferguson (“ separate but

equal”)• Rosa Parks refuses to give up her seat on a bus, starting the

Montgomery Bus Boycott. • Southern Christian Leadership Conference formed. Dr. Martin

Luther King, Jr. is named chairman of the organization.• Orville Faubus, governor of Arkansas, calls out the National

Guard to block integration of Little Rock Central High School.

Leisure and Culture

Music

• Teenagers way to “escape”.• The beginning of Rock & Roll• Elvis Presley, named “ The King of Rock & Roll”• African American artists such as Billie Holiday,

Fats Domino, and Chuck Berry broke the segregation in the music industry.

• Other famous groups: Buddy Holly, Little Richard, The Chordettes, Carl Perkins.

Hit Music!

Movies

• The “Peak” of Old Hollywood

• Alfred Hitchcock, legendary director, made “Vertigo”.

• Musicals like “Some Like It Hot” and “Singin’ in the Rain” were huge hits among teenagers.

• Marilyn Monroe became an instant icon.

Hit Movies!

Sports

• Teens played baseball to ease anxiety about the Cold War.

• Baseball star Babe Ruth became one of America’s icons.

• Jackie Robinson was the first African American player admitted into the Major Leagues.

Sports!

Lifestyle

• Consumerism was very popular among teenagers.

• Such products like Coca-Cola, Hair-Dye, Silly Putty, and Burma Shave were bought by teens.

• Teens spent their time going to the drive-in movies, spending time at a sock-hop, or listening to music.

Lifestyle!

The End!