1950's Culture

The 1950's reflected a period of extreme conformity. Businesses such as McDonald's developed into franchises and conglomerates. Society became standardized, and with it the work became standardized. Individuality was repressed in face of economic advancement.

Consumerism also experienced an increase. Material goods became equated with success, and people bought hundreds of new products. Recreational items such as televisions, tape recorders, and record players were also popular; many tasks were being completed by electrical household appliances and Americans founds themselves with more and more leisure time.

Household appliances were not the only ubiquitous products. Automobiles suddenly became and available commodity when the war ended. The abundance of petroleum led to inexpensive and plentiful fuel for consumers. Conforming, suburban residents found themselves in need of a car to drive to their jobs in the cities.

But not all aspects of society had the opportunity to live like this. The mass movement of white Americans from the cities to the suburbs took economic resources away with them. The rural poor were forced to migrate to the inner cities. Most of those who were affected were minority groups.

-Grace Mi