4/14 Cold War Society & Culture (1950s America)

Religion in 1950s

High church attendance; contrast to atheist communism; reinforces traditional gender roles

“Cult of Domesticity” vs Pink-Collar Work

Women expected to be homemakers; some work in low-paying jobs (secretary, teacher, nurse)

Alfred Kinsey

Sex researcher; published studies on male/female behavior; sparked controversy

Sputnik (1957)

First satellite by USSR; shocks U.S.; fear of missile/tech gap

National Defense Education Act (1958

Funds science, math, engineering, language education after Sputnik

“Devil’s Music” (Rock & Roll)

Older generation criticizes it; breaks racial barriers; challenges conformity

Elvis Presley

Major rock star; controversial performer; mixes musical styles

Buddy Holly

Early rock musician; influences future artists

Jack Kerouac

Beat writer; rejects conformity and traditional values

Beatniks

Youth subculture; rejects materialism; counterculture vibe

Michael Harrington – “The Other America”

Shows poverty still exists despite prosperity

Operation Wetback (1954)

Mass deportation of Mexican immigrants

Termination Policy

Ends tribal recognition; forces assimilation; fails