Isis Wadleigh
Prof. Rex
US History
27 February 2012
Prosperity and Anxieties1950's In the 1950's, the United States was in fact characterized by conformity and the prosperity of economic growth. But not all was well in the '50s, as there were also underlying anxieties that the citizens were faced with as a result of the Cold War. This can been seen through the massive amounts of consumption, how the society started to conform to what was seen as the idealistic life of the American citizen, and the fear the came through as a result of communism warnings. Though all looked well, there were many underlying conflicts that occured during this decade. The American dream was again starting to shine through. A nice car, the perfect house with a white-painted fence, and a good paying job were all a possibility when there was effort put into it. Commodities were on the rise and there were more things that the people wanted available. The television, new foods, and consumer products began to fill stores, and Americans were surly there to snatch them away and bring them into their households. The growth in urban areas became rapid with the development of suburbs, allowing for the quick and efficient construction of many homes for new families. American's were able to enjoy a much higher standard of living because of higher paying jobs that they could more easily get to with their new cars. "In the late 1950s, the poverty rate for all Americans was 22.4 percent."(npc.edu). Everything was "perfect." In the fifties, there was the occurence of the Baby Boom. During this time, there were more than 4 million births per year (amerikanistik.uni-muenchen.de). Young married couples began to have three, four, or five children compared to only one or two. A multitude of new consumer products to supply for these newly arriving babies appeared in stores, and they were being sold like wild-fire. As a result, the nation achieved a level of economic prosperity that erased any fears of another depression. The automobile industry thrived with suburban expansion as two-car families became commonplace. American's went on a spending spree in the 1950s. The automobile industry benefited greatly from this as Americans bought nearly 60 million cars during the 1950s (Ortlep). Cars made things easier for the society. It gave life a more convenient fast-paced vibe, and made it easier for them to commute from one place to another in a shorter amount of time. The resulting increase of mobility contributed to the rise of motels, fast-food restaurants, gas stations, and, most notably, suburbs. Areas that were once considered too far from jobs were now accessible and desirable, and middle-class and wealthy Americans began to leave the poverty defined city and make their move to outlying areas. Suburbs offered a clean, homogeneous, child-friendly, and safe environment. The American suburban population nearly doubled during the 1950s. The percentage of US population in suburbs went from 19.5% in 1940 to 31% in 1960 (Ortlep). In the 1950's, strict social norms were communicated primarily through television. Between 1952 and 1958 the amount of households owning a television set tripled from 3 million to 9 million (Ortlep). TV advertising created new consumer markets and TV sitcoms from the 1950's portrayed the "ideal" American life. "Domestic" comedies were very popular and portrayed the stereotypical suburban white family in neighborhoods seemingly unaware of racial discrimination and ethnic problems, and where mothers never desired or were expected to work outside the home. But these weren't the only things that occupied television screens. "Many films produced with anticommunist themes. Some obvious, like The Red Menace, but also allegorical SciFi and horror movies. Invasion of the Body Snatchers, Them!" (amerikanistik.uni-muenchen.de). These showed that even though America was in one of the best shapes ever, there was still a sense of fear that settled within the peoples. As a result of the Cold War there was a fear of the Soviet Union that would occupy American minds, but in a strangely disconnected fashion because of how prosperous the economy was. It was still a time of political ignorance, and the government’s continually issued statements on the dangers posed by the USSR. This gave rise to the anti-communism fears arose. The average American in this time might have only a slight understanding of what communism was, but the power structure informed him/her that is was wrong and a threat to the U.S., and that was enough to generate fear. An example is the notorious McCarthy hearings in the Senate, and the formation of the House Committee on Un-American Activities. "I have here in my hand a list of 205...a list of names that were made known to the Secretary of State as being members of the Communist Party and who nevertheless are still working and shaping policy in the State Department" said McCarthy in one of his speeches (historymatters.edu). This shows that they started to become weary, not only of those whom they had just been at war with, but of even those within their own boarders. The trial of Ethel and Julius Rosenberg shows the atmosphere of fear and alarm. In 1951, a New York couple, Ethel and Julius Rosenberg were accused of passing on classified atomic information to the Soviets. After a long trial and several appeals, both were charged with espionage and died on the electric chair on June 19, 1953, leaving behind two orphaned children (Famous Trials). These events hilight American fears of communist infiltration and American disloyalty. It shows that as the fear of communism continued on, those who were scared to lose the newly gained power, were quick to shoot down anything, or anyone who may be a threat. The 1950s were a time of good feelings. The economic growth was exponential, and there was properiety in America. But this was short lived with the uprising fear of communism that came from the Cold War, and want to keep this newfound glory upheld. The fifties were unmatched by any decade before it.