The 1950's and 1960's
RUNNING HEAD: THE 1950’s AND 1960’s 1
The 1950’s and 1960’s
Tracy Ladner
Mississippi University for Women
History 110
RUNNING HEAD: THE 1950’s AND 1960’s 2
The 1950’s and ‘60’s was a time of great growth and change for America. Some called it “The Golden Age” (Brinkley, 2012, p.779). For the most part there was prosperity and advances in technology. Suburbia came into existence and changed the face of the typical family lifestyle. Attitudes and ideas were shifting. During both decades there was much to be thankful for, but in the lives of many there were conflicts happening and waiting to happen. At the end of WWII the nation waited with its breath held while anticipating another economic depression. But soon there would be a deep sigh of relief as the economy boomed in the post-war prosperity. The invention of suburbia with affordable “cookie-cutter” houses and more job opportunities gave rise to the suburban boom and a larger middle class. Largely because of the booming economy, many families were having children which caused the “baby boom”. About 4 million babies were born each year during the 1950’s (The 1950’s, 2012.). It certainly was a time of wealth and prosperity. However there were issues during that decade that also brought about pain and strife for many. The Civil Rights Movement was in full swing with desegregation in progress in a number of schools. With the 1954 decision in Brown v. Brown by the Supreme Court that ruled that segregated public schools were unconstitutional, only a few schools would honor the court’s ruling initially. The black children who did go to the former all white schools were badly tortured for it by the other children while the adults for the most part stood by and watched (Graebner, W., Richards, L., 2005, p.319). There continued to be much resistance
The 1950’s and 1960’s
Tracy Ladner
Mississippi University for Women
History 110
RUNNING HEAD: THE 1950’s AND 1960’s 2
The 1950’s and ‘60’s was a time of great growth and change for America. Some called it “The Golden Age” (Brinkley, 2012, p.779). For the most part there was prosperity and advances in technology. Suburbia came into existence and changed the face of the typical family lifestyle. Attitudes and ideas were shifting. During both decades there was much to be thankful for, but in the lives of many there were conflicts happening and waiting to happen. At the end of WWII the nation waited with its breath held while anticipating another economic depression. But soon there would be a deep sigh of relief as the economy boomed in the post-war prosperity. The invention of suburbia with affordable “cookie-cutter” houses and more job opportunities gave rise to the suburban boom and a larger middle class. Largely because of the booming economy, many families were having children which caused the “baby boom”. About 4 million babies were born each year during the 1950’s (The 1950’s, 2012.). It certainly was a time of wealth and prosperity. However there were issues during that decade that also brought about pain and strife for many. The Civil Rights Movement was in full swing with desegregation in progress in a number of schools. With the 1954 decision in Brown v. Brown by the Supreme Court that ruled that segregated public schools were unconstitutional, only a few schools would honor the court’s ruling initially. The black children who did go to the former all white schools were badly tortured for it by the other children while the adults for the most part stood by and watched (Graebner, W., Richards, L., 2005, p.319). There continued to be much resistance
References: Brinkley, A. (2012). American History, Volume 2: From 1865. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill. Graebner, W., Richards, L. (2005). The American Record, Volume 2: since 1865. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill. The 1950s. (2012). The History Channel website. Retrieved 10:01, February 17, 2012, from http://www.history.com/topics/1950s. The 1960s. (2012). The History Channel website. Retrieved 6:49, February 17, 2012, from http://www.history.com/topics/1950s. Graebner, W., Richards, L. (2005). The American Record, Volume 2: since 1865. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill.