*Diverse individual and collective expressions through literature, art, philosophy, music, theatre, and film throughout U.S. history [as well as popular] culture and the dimensions of cultural conflict within American society. 

Created by:  G. Borsky, A. Westenberger, and R. Lee

Red Text = (1) Identifications and (2) Vocabulary, which is rare for this theme

Chapter 25--"World War II"(Pages 874-908)

Left to Right:  Katharine "Kate" Hepburn, Cary Grant, James "Jimmy" Stewart, and John Howard in "The Philadelphia Story"

"Entertaining the People"(Pages 894-895)

• Radio
  • Americans listened to 4-1/2 hours of radio per day during World War II.
  • Very well-known radio characters, including Dick Tracy and Superman, began to involve themselves in war-related conflicts.  For example, Superman was depicted as "outwitting Nazi agents." 
  • Commentators on the radio became extremely identifiable celebrities.
  • Commentary- For the first time in history, people now focused on leisure, which included an entrance into the "imaginary world" of the radio.  The citizens of the United States (and the world, for that matter) needed a brand of entertainment to take them away from the present terrors and frights of the war.  Additionally, for the first time, entertainers themselves became well-known to people all around. 
• Music
  • In addition to the radio broadcasts, music became a manner of "transportation" from the stresses of the war.
  • Such names as Tommy Dorsey, Benny Goodman, Glenn Miller, Cole Porter, and Irving Berlin became synonymous with pleasure and happiness, people who granted the American populous solice in a time of turmoil.
• The Motion Picture
  • Most important leisure activity and part of fantasy life
  • Included westerns, musicals, and historical romances
  • Most movies during the war were preceded by newsreels that assured the moviegoers that America was winning the war. 
  • Wartime themes were prominent in movies of the 1940's, depicting the Japanese as vicious, heinous human beings whose sole desire was to destroy peace and happiness in the world.  NOTE:  These Japanese were played by Chinese or Korean actors!  Japanese during the war would not agree to be in a movie that depicted their cause as "vicious and heinous"!
  • A few examples of famous movie actors/actresses of the 40's include James "Jimmy" Stewart, Humphrey "Bogie" Bogart, Cary Grant, Clark Gable, Katharine Hepburn, Ingrid Bergman, Bette Davis, and the ever-radiant Vivien Leigh (Scarlet O'Hara of "Gone With The Wind").  These became household names, which everyone in America recognized.
  • Commentary-These movies were a mechanism that allowed the American people to be entertained while simultaneously, in many cases, to be informed of the current status of the war.  Often, these informative "tid-bits" were skewed in a favorable direction so as to ease the mind. 
  • There is a noticeable difference between the movies of the modern day and the movies that were filmed before, during, and shortly after the Second World War.  These differences have to do with the manner in which they were constructed, and the level of care that the actors took to create the movies.  The way in which the actors/actresses conducted themselves on screen was simply much more glamorous than actors/actresses of today.  Back then, the new "moving pictures" were just that - new!  As a result of this, there was no existing precedent for actors to base their performances off of.  A truly distinguishing characteristic of the movies filmed during what has come to be known as the "Golden Age of Hollywood" was their whimsical yet utterly real interpretation of life.  The creators, directors, and writers  of the Golden Age of Hollywood believed that the daily life of the average person, with minor "stretches" to create literary appeal, had the capability of creating a very exciting film, whereas modern day creators, directors, and writers believe that the only true way to portray excitement is through constant action and, quite frankly, unbelievability.  Belief is what allows the audience to formulate personal connections to the plot, which was very simple when viewing older films, as their premises were often lives of average Americans, slightly stretched for the purpose of appeal. In addition, though it may sound paradoxical, the black-and-white picture of the old movies created an even more fanciful world that separated the movies even further from the viewing audience.

Chapter 26--"Postwar Growth and Social Change"(Pages 912-943)

"The New Suburbs" (Pages 923-925)

•   William Levitt created the plans for what was known as "Levittown", in New York.  This town was comprised of identical houses that were made in assembly line fashion.  This took the personality out of houses, though there had been little want for personality in a home prior to this time anyway.  By modern standards, however, it is difficult to fathom how these people could live in neighborhoods where one's house was EXACTLY identical to that of his nextdoor neighbor.
• Transformed the landscape of America by drastically reducing amount of farmland.

"Technology Supreme" (Pages 926-928)

• The development of the first computer in 1946, known as the Electronic Numerical Integrator and Calculator (ENIAC), reflected wartime advances in technology.
• Many everyday activities were mechanized, including airline reservations, hotel reservations, and more. 

"The Consumer Culture" (Pages 928-930)

• Television became a major influence on American life following WWII.
• 1955--Average American family watched four to five hours of television each day. 
• Examples of television programs geared at the younger population of the 1950's include "Winky Dink and You", "The Mickey Mouse Club", and "Howdy Doody Time".  However, more well known shows include those that adults and older children viewed, including such classics as:  "I Love Lucy", with Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz; "Father Knows Best", with Robert Young and Jane Wyatt; "The Danny Thomas Show", with Danny Thomas and Jean Hagen; "My Little Margie" and "The Gale Storm Show", both with Gale Storm; "The Phil Silvers Show", with Phil Silvers (THIS WAS MY GRANDPA'S ALL-TIME FAVORITE SHOW); and the most popular of all, "Leave It To Beaver", with Hugh Beaumont, Barbara Billingsley, Tony Dow, and Jerry Mathers.     
• The majority of these programs centered around daily life in the 50's, portraying life in a very idealistic manner.  It is commonly believed among modern people that "Leave It To Beaver" is an accurate portrayal of the 1950's, which is simply not true. 
• Although manners and polite attitudes were greatly stressed, "Leave It To Beaver" suggests that all children obeyed and adhered to these impositions.
• Nonetheless, one aspect of these shows was true to the time, and that was the societal view that "women should be home in the kitchen, and the husband should be out working".  For example, when Lucy would constantly beg Ricky for money, it was implied that Lucy had no way of supporting herself, which was indicative of the time.  That is not to say that women did not work, yet a common thought was that once a woman married, she had no reason to work, as her husband would be perfectly capable of earning a substantial salary to support his family.
• In addition to the influx of television programs, television advertisements ("commercials") consequently became prominent.  There were even television shows that advertised, like "The Price is Right".

"Conformity in School and Religious Life" (Pages 930-932) 

• People began to flock to religious institutions in the postwar years in record numbers.
• "In part, church attendance reflected a desire to challenge 'godless communism' at the height of the Cold War and to find some solace from the threat of annihilation in a nuclear war" (Nash et al. 931).

"Back to the Kitchen" (Pages 932-933,936-937)

• Marjorie Sutton's feminine views reflected that women were now content and furthermore excited to stay home and care for their families as they became involved in their children’s activities and lives, in such ways as joining the PTA.  In addition, they were satisfied with doing housework as it made them feel accomplished, bringing light to the modern notion that paid work is not the only way to feel accomplished as a human being.
• According to Benjamin Spock, it was important that women stay at home so that they would raise stable and secure children, whereas if they worked outside the home, mothers might put their children’s mental and emotional health at risk.
• A very well known actress of the time was Doris Day, whose singing voice and naive quality personified the wholesome character of what a "woman should be", at least in regard to the standards of the era. 
  • There was another side to the American cinema in the 50's, a side that dealt with sexuality.  For the first time, people began to discuss sexual topics in a more open manner than prior to the time, yet it was still very "hush! hush!". 
  • To reflect this newfound interest in sex, Hollywood began to create films starring extremely enticing women, including Jayne Mansfield, Marilyn Monroe, Mae West, Anita Ekberg, and more. 

"Cultural Rebels" (Pages 937-938)

• "The beat generation" rebelled against the stereotypes of the time.  They engaged in overt sexual acts and helped to popularize marijuana.  Furthermore, they rejected Western reason for Eastern mysticism.  Stressed spontaneity and spirituality. 
• These people often wrote books that illustrated their beliefs, including The Catcher in the Rye (1951).  To learn more about these people, LOOK THEM UP!
• Music further exemplified the cultural rebelliousness of the generation.  Elvis Presley, with his wildly gyrating hips and sexual demeanor, enthralled young ladies of the day and was very popular among young men as well.  In an effort to emulate Elvis, the black leather jacket became standard for the rebellious teenager, a perfect example of which was Fonzi in the 1970's-80's television sitcom "Happy Days".
• Painters like Jackson Polluck rebelled against traditional painting methods in favor a more sporadic style.

"Poverty Amid Affluence" (Page 939)

• Economic growth continued to favor the upper classes; the society of the 50's did not "magically erase" the poor population.
• Michael Harrington's The Other America (1962) observed that the poor were everywhere, namely in New York City's "economic underworld," where Puerto Ricans haunted employment agencies for menial employment, like dishwashers (not the machine, but rather the physical person who washed dishes). 
• Harrington furthermore argued that such groups as the mountainous peoples of Appalachia, Mississippi tenant farmers, and migrant farmers were caught in a cycle of poverty.

"Hard Times for African Americans" (Pages 939-941)

***FOR FURTHER INFORMATION REGARDING CHAPTER 26, LOOK TO THE TEXTBOOK!*** 

Chapter 27--"Chills and Fever During the Cold War"(Pages 946-989)

"Nuclear Proliferation" (Pages 965-966)

• The initial reaction of Americans to the atomic bomb was one of excitement rather than fear. 
• Once America no longer held a monopoly over the bomb (as such countries as the U.S.S.R. began creating their own atomic bombs), the reaction quickly changed to one of fear and uncertainty.

***THIS CHAPTER CONTAINS VERY LITTLE ABOUT CULTURE; FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE REFER TO ANY OF THE OTHER THEME PROJECTS TO BETTER ACQUAINT YOURSELF WITH THIS TIME PERIOD***

Chapter 28--"High Water and Ebb Tide of the Liberal State"(Pages 990-1025)

"The Fair Deal and Its Fate" (Pages 995-997)

• During the presidency of Harry S. Truman, the civil rights issue split the Democrats.  
• When liberals pressed for a stronger stand on black civil rights, delegates from Mississippi and Alabama stormed out of the convention.  
  • Commentary-This fact is indicative of how potent the racial question was after the Civil War.  Although the North had "won" in 1865, Southern opinions did not diminish.  It is a common misconception that the Civil War ended racial tensions, and then they suddenly reappeared with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and others.  Throughout all of the major conflicts of the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, racial undertones were prevalent. 

"The Great Society in Action" (Pages 1007-1010)

Commentary-With the introduction of Lyndon B. Johnson's  Great Society, America's weaknesses were highlighted in the suggested areas of reform, primarily with regard to poverty.  It is interesting to note that many presidents beginning with FDR created enumerated reform projects.  With FDR, it was the New Deal; with Johnson, it was the Great Society, and so on.

***For factual information regarding this chapter, refer to Themes in US History - Reform and other themes as well***

Chapter 29--"The Struggle for Social Reform"(Pages 1026-1066)

"Mid-Twentieth Century Roots" (Pages 1028-1029)

• African Americans incessantly demanded their rights for equality after their intense strides made during WWII. The racial discrimination question was personified in 1947 when Jackie Robinson broke the color line and began playing major-league baseball with the Bklyn. Dodgers.

"Integrating the Schools" (Pages 1029-1031)

• In Plessy v. Ferguson, the Supreme Court ruled that segregation of black and white races was constitutional if the facilities used by each were "separate but equal."
• Brown v. Board of Education overturned the earlier declaration of "separate but equal," stating that that had no place in public education. 
• For further information regarding these topics, look to any of the other theme pages, the most relevant to this section being Themes in US History - Demographic Changes.

"Feminism at High Tide" (Pages 1044-1046)

• Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) was passed by Congress in 1974, stating, "Equality of rights under the law shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any state on account of sex.
• Many women felt that the women's movement was contemptuous of women who stayed at home to perform traditional tasks. 
• Commentary- There were many television programs created during this time that demonstrated the revolutionary views of feminists and civil rights leaders.  The majority of these were created by a man by the name of Norman Lear, including "All in the Family," "Maude," and "The Jeffersons."  To feature a single woman was very rare in television, yet "The Mary Tyler Moore Show" is still considered to be one of the top shows in television history!

"The Counterculture" (Pages 1056-1057, 1060)

• One of the most irreverent books of the time was Catch-22, by Joseph Heller.
• Sexuality became much easier to discuss with the introduction of oral contraceptives.
• Courts began to rule that such books as D. H. Lawrence's Lady Chatterley's Lover could not be banned.
• Hallucogenic drugs became a part of the "counterculture."
• Commentary-The majority of modern readers and historians actually experienced the 1960's and 70's, allowing for a greater connection to this era.  The contemporary time period is characterized by aspects of culture that began in the 60's, including the knowledge that voicing one's opinion might actually have an impact on society.  

Chapter 30--"A Resilient People" (Pages 1068-1109)

"Conservative Leadership" (Pages 1072-1074)

• President Ronald Reagan used his acting skills to use the television as FDR had used the radio in the 30's.  He was a "gifted storyteller, who loved using anecdotes or one-liners to make his point" (Nash 1073).  For more information regarding Ronald Reagan, the 40th president of the United States of America, look at the Themes in US History - Politics and Citizenship page.
• Commentary-It is very interesting how Reagan chose to reach out to the American people in essentially the same manner that Franklin Delano Roosevelt did in the 1930's.  Evidently, Reagan retained great respect and admiration for FDR.  Consider the time periods in which each was president.  During the presidencies of each, the world was in a similar state of affairs.  Why would Reagan have chosen to model his communications with the people after Franklin Delano Roosevelt?

"Liberal Interlude"

• The 1992 presidential campaign, more than any that had come before, was fought on television. 
• Candidates (Bill Clinton and George H. W. Bush) appeared on talk shows and interviews.
• Commentary-It is very curious how, with the abundance of televisions prior to 1992, television was used for a presidential campaign so long after the television was created.  Does T.V. influence the voter participation in elections?  Read the chapter to find this out for yourself!

"The Changing Nature of Work" (Page 1086)

• For additional information on this section, look at the Themes in US History - Reform page!