3. When we look back at the 1950s, life can
appear to be gloomy, dull and lacking
excitement.
This is partly due to photographs at this
time being black and white.
It’s also partly due to the fact that, like
many countries, England was still recovering
and rebuilding from the effects of World War
II, which ended in 1945.
4.
5. The 1950s were actually an exciting and influential time as we will
see over the coming weeks.
To understand a little more about what was happening in Britain
we need to look at two changes that were about to occur.
1. The end of National Service
2. The end of rationing
6. National Service came into force in
January 1949 and meant that all physically
fit males between the ages of 17 and 21
had to serve in one of the armed forces for
an 18-month period.
It was a grueling and life changing
experience which meant teenagers had to
grow up fast. The phrase ‘you go in a boy
and come out a lion’ is often used to
describe the experience.
National Service gradually ended from
1957, allowing teenagers to seek
employment rather than leave for National
Service.
7. In 1954 saw the end of rationing which
had started in 1940.
This now meant people were able to freely
buy meat and other food products and
were no longer limited to the clothing
they could buy.
It also put an end to the ‘make do and
mend’ scheme aimed at teaching people
how to mend their old clothing rather
than replace it.
8. We’ve seen what the 1950s
looked like, but what did it
sound like?
Well, we had Crooners and
Big Band Jazz, but what was
popular in Britain was
something called Skiffle.
Listen to Lonnie Donegan,
King of Skiffle…..
https://youtu.be/9QnJWO3_vBQ
9. With the ending of National Service and Rationing
working teens had money to spend.
The shape of teen fashion and culture was created
by the freedom to wear their hair and dress the
way they wanted. But it was also shaped in part by
a new style of music that was about to hit the UK.
