The Fifties was an unacknowledged decade of optimism and development; a black and white photograph of a victorious nation after winning World War II. After overcoming economic depression and shortage, the nation was eager for a full ration of prosperity.The idea of suburbia, many homes mass-produced targeting every type of American, became a huge success.Veterans immediately formed families, and they were accomadated by suburban homes.The economy flourished as this new generation of Americans designed and constructed their new lives. Many were living the American dream in a picture perfect society. However, much was stirring beneath the surface. The world was on the verge of nuclear warfare, while society continued to shelter themselves and the younger generation. Jack Kerouac, a beatnik poet reflecting on his own society, says:
"They dont even listen to me when/ I try to tell them they will die/ They say 'Of course I know/ I'll die, Why shd you mention/ It now? Why should I worry/ About it? It ll happen/ It llhappen?Now/ I want a good time? / Excuse me?/ It's a beautiful happy June/ Afternoon I want to walk in'.....No need, no words to/ describe/ The sound of ignorance?/ They are strolling to/ their death/ Watching the Pictures of Hell/ Eating Ice Cream/ of Ignorance/ On wood sticks"
Everyone rightfully
felt deserving of good times after making it through the Depression
and winning the War. Focusing on the booming economy and society, they
chose to disregard any imperfections.With a constant threat of nuclear
war, Eisenhower was elected and relied upon to deal with the problems of
the world so everyone could go on happily, without causing imbalance to
their monotonous lifestyles. Education became a priority, giving the younger
generation time to think about their lives. Some young adults questioned
the conformity of the society around them. They had never been through
the hard times that their parents had, and so they didn't appreciate the
fake optimism of their parents. Their voices were heard later in the movements
during the 1960s, although some, such as Jack Kerouac, were able to voice
their opinions in the late fifties.
The Fifties
left a lasting impact because it fermented the Sixties. Inventions and
discoveries like birth control, the Civil Rights movement, and the peace
sign. Because people in the Fifties avoided change, these ideas went unappreciated
until the Sixties.The Fifties began in 1946, with the return of the soldiers,
and partially ends in 1959, while certain aspects of the decade lasted
until 1963.The focus of the public shifted to teenagers as their ideas
were heard, beginning in the mid-fifties. One way of expressing this was
the rock and roll rebellion which went against the conformity of everyday
life. Rock and roll provided an escape from the lies they were surrounded
by, especially from television, which portrayed the picture of the "ideal"
life. Advertisements on television were also important because of their
message: You've worked so hard during the previous decades, you've earned
a big reward. The combination of both advertisements and family sitcoms
made it clear that they lived in a secure and perfect world, not dealing
with problems such as racism and womens rights. People were beginning to
recognize the reality and deception, and they were willing to aknowledge
the problems of life, a feeling carried out in the Sixties.
The mood of
the Fifties was one of false optimism; although one could argue that it
was an attempt by the adults to shelter the younger generation, it really
served the purpose of protecting themselves because they felt deserving
of a perfect world. The younger generation wasn't satisfyed with this cover,
and searched for the truth.
