Welcome to the 1950s - the era of Leave it to Beaver, Levittown and silly putty!
After over a decade of struggles due to the Great Depression and years of rationing due to World War II, Americans excitedly embraced the economic boom of the 1950s. Affordable houses in the emerging suburbs and the invention of television contributed to a new lifestyle. With these changes came a new emphasis on the traditional American way of life. The number of women in the work force decreased after World War II; both men and women married at a young age, with women staying home to be housewives.
The resulting consensus culture that emerged in the 1950s represents an ideal life for some, but horrifies others. Watch this clip from a 2001 episode of Gilmore Girls, in which Lorelai and Rory hear Dean’s reaction to The Donna Reed Show for the first time.
In this WebQuest, you will explore how mass media and suburbanization contributed to the formation of a consensus culture in the 1950s as well as the lingering effects of the era, so that you can develop your own educated opinion of the culture.
The resulting consensus culture that emerged in the 1950s represents an ideal life for some, but horrifies others. Watch this clip from a 2001 episode of Gilmore Girls, in which Lorelai and Rory hear Dean’s reaction to The Donna Reed Show for the first time.
In this WebQuest, you will explore how mass media and suburbanization contributed to the formation of a consensus culture in the 1950s as well as the lingering effects of the era, so that you can develop your own educated opinion of the culture.
Image source: Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs Division, Gottscho-Schleisner Collection [LC-G613-72796].