American Society After the Second World War (AQA GCSE History)

How did Culture Change After the Second World War? - Summary

Popular culture developed partly due to postwar prosperity. President Harry Truman's Fair Deal introduced a series of social and economic reforms. These aimed to improve the lives of Americans. The Fair Deal expanded Social Security, raised the minimum wage and attempted to challenge discrimination. More Americans had increased income and free time. This meant that they could enjoy popular culture more than they had even been able to do.

A significant cultural change after the Second World War was the emergence of rock 'n' roll (or Rock and Roll) music. Influenced by rhythm and blues, country, and gospel music, the popularity of rock 'n' roll exploded in the 1950s. The music captured the imagination of young people across the country. Artists like Elvis Presley, Chuck Berry and Little Richard became iconic figures. They revolutionised popular music and challenged traditional values.

Films also played a crucial role in shaping post-war culture. Hollywood experienced a resurgence. Film studios produced films that reflected the era's optimism and anxieties Movies like "Casablanca," "Gone with the Wind," and "On the Waterfront" entertained audiences. Film studios also experimented with new technology to challenge the popularity of television. Some films were 3D to immerse the viewer in the story.

Television became increasingly popular during this time. In the 1950s and 1960s, the number of households owning televisions increased dramatically. Shows like "I Love Lucy," "The Twilight Zone," and "The Ed Sullivan Show" entertained millions of viewers. People enjoyed how television brought motion pictures into their homes.

Post-War Prosperity

• After the Second World War, the US government created an economic boom by:

  • Investing billions of dollars into the economy 

  • Telling people it was their duty to spend money to support the economy and returning soldiers

The day-to-day life of US citizens during the 1940s and 1950s

• Millions of people achieved the American Dream through:

  • Homeownership

  • Improved standard of living

  • Well-paying jobs or creating a business

• Companies built new suburbs

  • The Levitt and Sons company created "Levittown" suburbs in New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania. 

  • All houses had modern appliances and were affordable to many US citizens

  • The 1950s saw the biggest growth in the number of televisions, jet engines and cars

  • By 1952, US businesses created 65% of the world’s manufactured goods

• Parents had more money to support their children

  • This meant children could be in education for longer

• Teenagers and young people had more disposable income and time than ever before

  • They became an ideal market for businesses to target in their advertising

• The government improved areas of life such as housing, education and highways:

President Harry S Truman’s Fair Deal

• Roosevelt died in office in April 1945

  • As vice-president, Harry S. Truman temporarily replaced Roosevelt

    • Truman then won a surprise victory in the 1948 presidential election

• Truman proposed the Fair Deal in 1945 and again after winning the election in 1948. This was his version of Roosevelt’s New Deal

Successes and Weaknesses of the Fair Deal

Rock’n’roll

• Rock’n’roll was a new style of music and dance which developed in postwar USA

  • It had strong links to rhythm and blues (R&B) music

• Rock’n’roll appealed to young people

  • Artists sang about love and the experience of youth

  • Artists influenced the fashion that young people wore

• Older generations did not approve of rock’n’roll

  • They believed that rock’n’roll artists were a bad influence on young people because:

    • The lyrics promoted promiscuity

    • The music encouraged disrespect towards authority figures

    • They believed that artists encouraged young people to commit criminal activities

    • Young people drank alcohol and used drugs at rock’n’roll concerts

• Popular rock’n’roll musicians in the 1950s and 1960s include:

  • Elvis Presley

  • The Beatles

• The African-American rock’n’roll artists who became popular with white audiences included:

  • Chuck Berry

  • Little Richard

Television

• Television was invented in the early 1900s

• By 1960, 87% of US homes owned a television

  • Television became more affordable after the Second World War

  • Television replaced radio in popularity

• In the 1950s, popular television shows included

  • I Love Lucy 

    • A sitcom starring Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz

  • Perry Mason

    • A legal drama following a criminal defence lawyer

  • The Twilight Zone

    • A fantasy science fiction horror show

• Many US families watched cartoons

  • They were made for both children and adult audiences

  • By the 1960s, television had colour technology

  • In the 1960s, the most popular cartoons were:

    • Top Cat

    • The Flintstones

• TV shows reflected the key American values of:

  • The American Dream

  • Traditional family structures

• TV shows had sponsors and used product placement

  • People had more money to buy consumer goods

  • If their favourite character used the product, they would be more likely to purchase it

  • This increased consumerism

Film

• The popularity of television meant that people preferred to stay at home for entertainment

  • This threatened the popularity of the cinema

• Films continued to stay popular because:

  • People could watch films on widescreens in colour

    • Many people did not have a colour television

  • In the 1950s, cinemas produced some films in 3D

• People idolised the fashion and acting of film stars like:

  • Marilyn Monroe

  • Elizabeth Taylor

  • James Dean

  • Marlon Brando