The document discusses 1950s American society and culture, including the rise of suburbs and conformity. It focuses on Levittown, the first large-scale planned suburb in the US. Levittown helped satisfy the demand for affordable housing following World War II. Over 17,000 houses were built there between 1947-1958 for returning GIs. The homes cost around $6,900 with $100 down. Suburbs like Levittown helped propagate cultural norms of the 1950s by encouraging conformity and traditional gender roles.

1. 1950's Society and Culture

2. The Cold War at Home psyche paranoia Duck and cover J. McCarthy Rosenbergs HUAC

4. 1950’s SOCIETY AND CULTURE

5. “ A cold war kid in McCarthy’s time…….” Leningrad by Billy Joel

13. WELCOME TO LEVITTOWN

18. 1950'S CULTURE MUSIC BABY BOOM WOMEN paranoia Duck and cover SUBURBS LITERATURE TV CONFORMITY

21. LEVITTOWN BABY Boom – 21 million babies GI bill 36 houses a day built in Levitt developments 17,000 houses total 1955 ¾ of houses built in US were like Levit’s suburbs

25. LEVITTOWN $6,900 $100 down

26. DUCK AND COVER

27. “ America’s first massed produced suburb…” How did Levitt’s homes benefit returning GI’s? What was the cost of a Levitt home What does a Levitt home list for today What percentage of Americans live in suburbs today How is a suburb different from a city? Summary Question: William Levitt said he wanted to make a profit and a difference. In what way did he end up doing both? “ Even the Sticks began to bustle” In what way was the growth of Colonie similar to the growth of Levittown? Think of: Affordability Who bought the homes and wh Growth

28. Let's Play House Answer the questions below based on the video “The Fifties .” Facts and figures: Number of marriages in 1946? How many babies were born between 1945 and 1950? Average age for marriage? Describe the expectations for women in the 1950’s. How did educational films reinforce theses expectations? What professions were open to women? Why did many women drop out of college. What indications were there that women were growing increasingly unhappy with their role as housewives? Why were many women concerned about being successful in college. 7. Explain the significance of Betty Freidan’s book The Feminine Mystique