In a time of economic prosperity, a rise in the standard of living and rock and roll, also known as the “happy days”, the 1950s were a time looked back on with nostalgia. On the other hand, the 1950s were also met with many problems involving civil rights, the Cold War and McCarthyism. After the end of World War II, Americans came home to jobs available and a period of consensus. Consensus meaning there wasn’t much debate in politics. However tensions quickly rose throughout the nation when Joseph McCarthy made serious accusations about the State Department. He said that at least 205 members of the State Department were members of the communist party. This was after it was released to the public that a couple named Julius and Ethel Rosenberg were secretly communist spies who were staying in the U.S., stealing nuclear weapon secrets. With McCarthy’s remarks such as “They [a communist spy] could even be your neighbor!’ scarring the American public’s mind, many were on edge. At the time, most Americans were of middle class status, families were living the life that they had dreamed of for many years. The standard of living …show more content…
Rock N’ Roll was a new music genre accepted and loved by many teenagers of the time. While their parents felt that Elvis Presley ruined music, the teens disagreed, and with so many teenagers at the time, there were many to keep the genre alive. Teens wanted to release the tensions that bubbled beneath the smooth surface of postwar America. In a biography about Presley, a.k.a. the king of Rock N’ Roll, it writes a historical moment, when Presley was filmed from only the waist-up. At the time, his behavior was considered scandalous. It was a new concept that lived on through music for future generations. This genre can be pin-pointed as the reason elder generations of today point back to the 1950s as “the good ole’ days”, as it was a time of
For the first half of the 1950s, anti-Communist leaders were very powerful in the United States; however, by 1955 McCarthy was in disgrace, and in 1957 the courts determined that membership in the Communist Party should no longer be a criminal offense in this country. For the first half of the 1950s, anti-Communist leaders were very powerful in the United States; however, by 1955 McCarthy was in disgrace; and in 1957 the courts determined that membership in the Communist Party should no longer be a criminal offense in this
American youth of the 1950s weren't crazy about the easy-listening pop music their parents enjoyed. Crooners like Johnny Ray, who sang, “Gee but it’s great after staying out late/walking my baby back home/Arm and arm over meadow and farm/walking my baby back home” and balladeers like Perry Como singing, "Don’t let the stars get in your eyes /Don’t let the moon break your heart / Love blooms at night / in daylight it dies," did not excite the younger population. Fifties popular music was for adults and not quite what the teens wanted to hear at their school dances, in soda shop or in their cars after school.
During this time in the world people were scared of the red scarce. People would say that Joseph Mccarthy was the modern
Civil Rights and McCarthyism In American history, the 1950s consisted of a decade of opposites. On the one hand, it was a period of wealth, consumerism. On the other side, it was a period of persecution, fear, and obedience. The Cold War between the United States and the Soviet Union promoted an environment of fear and suspicion that affected all aspects of life.
The Beat generation rebelled against America's conformist society. People of the Beat generation were largely anti-war and against racism. The beat generation showed itself in art such as poetry and music. The rock star Elvis Presley’s dance moves were considered vulgar by conservative mainstream society.(Doc D) The Yippies were hippies who were involved in politics in(Doc I) the Yippies were a part of some riots sparked by the assassination of
“Thank you, thank you very much.” said by the King of Rock-and Roll, otherwise known as Elvis Aaron Presley. He was a very important part of pop culture and the way music is today. Presley influenced the pop ballads and country music of this time. Presley also created a style and sound that has never been seen before from a variety of musical influences, he also provided a sounds to represent the new generation.
Rock and Roll originated in the 1950’s and is described as music with a very uncomplicated tune along with a prominent beat. Rock brought the white and African American cultures together through the combination of their love of music. The genre of Rock and Roll is a mixture of white country, black rhythm and blues, and jazz. Typical instruments found in a traditional rock band include the electric guitar, drums, bass, keyboard, and vocals. Rock and Roll has a range of varying tempos, which is the speed at which music is performed.
What We Really Miss About The 1950s In her essay, “What We Really Miss About the 1950s”, Stephany Coontz talks about the myth of the 1950s. She begins her argument by stating some reasons why the nostalgia for the 1950s exists. The main thing Americans miss about the those days is the stability. She acknowledges that this fallacy is not insane.
Popular music emerged during this era, and it dramatically transfromed in the fifties, when Elvis Presley, a white singer, that fused black rhythms and blues with white bluegrass and country style music in order to form a new style call “rock and roll”. Listening and dancing to it became a type of religious rite in the 1950s. Influenced by fame, fortune, and drugs, he died in 1977 at age 42. Movie star Marilyn Monroe also helped to populatize and commercialize the new standards of sexuality, and so did the Playboy magazine, when they first publish in 1955 (Doc.
What better way to vent dissatisfaction than through music! Also in addition to the frustrations described above, teen rebellion from the parental obligations was also in full swing. The result of this was 'free love' and experimenting with drugs.
Rock and roll, a type of popular dance music originating in the 1950s, characterized by a heavy beat and simple melodies. Rock and roll was an amalgam of black rhythm and blues and white country music, usually based on a twelve-bar structure and an instrumentation of guitar, bass, and drums. (http://www.oxforddictionaries.com/us/definition/american_english/rock-and-roll).Colonel Tom Parker, He was man who encouraged him with his music and wanted him to make more money and gain fame. And also, Gladys Presley, His mother who told he is not less than anyone else in this world. Elvis Presley built a new type of music that had a huge impact on America because the kind of service he did for America.
Elvis Presley has had more impact on American society and culture than any other person in history for the three following reasons; his large contribution to the start of the generation gap in the 1950’s, his huge impact on rock ‘n’ roll music, and finally, his music opened a door for some integration between races. First of all, in the 1950’s Elvis Presley and his music started the era of the generation gap between teenagers and their parents, an era which is still going on today. With Elvis being very young, attractive and his new type of music and dancing, teenage girls fell head over heels for the young star. Most parents though, did not feel the same way about Presley. He was often described a vulgar and many accused him of corrupting the youth.
Then Rock and Roll appeared with strength and made everything easier for society. As we’ve studied in class, Rock and Roll artists danced and sang with a similar style, creating a collective identity. Performers like Elvis were the reason of parents being alarmed by this genre of
Conformity is behavior in accordance with socially accepted conventions or standards. Also according to Webster's dictionary social repression is is the act of controlling, subduing or suppressing people, groups and larger social aggregations by interpersonal means. I agree to the greater extent that during the 1950’s were a time of conformity and social repression. In American life housing, genders and culture get an impact on conformity and social repression.
Cultural Impact of Rock and Roll Amidst the 1960’s Jimi Hendrix formerly stated, “Music doesn’t lie. If there is something to be changed in this world, then it can only happen through music.” A generation which was earnestly devoted to peace, protest, and revolution, the counterculture amongst the 1960’s yearned for change. Rock and roll was far beyond just a genre of music; it influenced lifestyles, protests, and attitudes, thus, kindling an awakening in the youth of American culture. The distinction between parental and youth culture was a persistent root of concern, considering that teens throughout the world found a sense of belonging in this style of music.