POPULAR CULTURE IN 1950’S

ESSENTIAL QUESTION

• What new forms of media became available after WW II?

TELEVISION

• Combined pictures and sound to broadcast to wide audiences.

NETWORKS

• Showed same programs on stations across the whole country.

• ABC, NBC, CBS.

INDEPENDENT STATIONS

• Not part of any network.• Example: WGN of Chicago.

PROGRAMMING

• COMEDIES- laughter• DRAMA- serious• NEWS- information to public.

RABBIT EARS

• Name for the antennae needed to pick up the broadcast signal.

• No cable or satellite available.

FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION (FCC)

• Grant broadcast licenses for TV, radio.• Regulate content (no profanity, porn, etc.).• Use TV, radio to communicate emergencies.

ESSENTIAL QUESTION

• What else became popular in the 1950’s?

FADS

• Popular for a short amount of time.• Hula Hoops, Silly Putty, Whiffle Balls.

POP ART

• Making references to popular commercials, movies, actors, etc.

ROCK N’ ROLL

• Form of music based on traditional blues.

ELVIS PRESLEY

• Made rock n’ roll popular to wide audiences.

CHUCK BERRY

• Helped make electric guitar popular.

AMERICAN BANDSTAND

• TV show broadcast (R’nR) to wide audiences.

ESSENTIAL QUESTION

• What were other parts of popular culture in America in 1950’s?

CONSUMERISM

• Desire to have the latest electronics, cars, fads, clothing, etc.

CONFORMITY

• The desire to be like everybody else.

CREDIT CARDS

• Allowed people to make purchases without cash or checks.

ESSENTIAL QUESTION

• What were some Americans who went against consumerism and fads?

SUBCULTURES

• Smaller cultures found in a larger society.• COUNTERCULTURE- intentionally tries to go

against the MAINSTREAM CULTURE.

BEATNIKS

• Subculture of 1950’s, embraced distinct clothing, jazz and drug use.