1950s: Historical Context

1950s: Historical Context

By Paula Yurss Lasanta

Poll

Have you read Look Back in Anger?

• Yes

• I have started but I haven't finished yet

• No

Open Ended

What do you know about history of the 1950s?

Historical Context​

• After World War II, US power became strengthened. 

• India became independent in 1947 (Occupied since 1600).

• Britain lost influence in global politics.

• National Service (1945-1963). Military conscription →  Militarist and masculine values 

• Secondary school required for all. 

• No school fees could be charged in public schools. 

• State-aid scholarships to universities and drama schools. 

• Women started to benefit from these grants in 1962.

• Red-brick universities: founded in major English industrial cities (19th C, before WW1). Accepted men of all backgrounds and prepared them.

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​Education Act (1944)

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Open Ended

What do you know about pop culture in the 50s - 60s (music, movies...)?

• Rise of consumerism after the war (rationing ended in 1952)

• Generation gap

• Teen Idols

• Rock’n’roll

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Teenage Culture​

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1950s (US)​

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​1960s (UK)

• Jazz (Jimmy’s favourite)

• Gospel Music → Rosetta Tharpe: Rock and Roll pioneer

• Hillbilly- Rockabilly: Irish folk

​Origins of Rock'n'RoLL

Rebel without a Cause (1955)​

Open Ended

What do you know about technology?