1950s America

1950s American Pop Culture

Today, you will learn about Pop Culture during the 1950s. Specifically, you will learn about:
1) Impact TV had on American Culture.
2) The Beat Generation v.s. Rock N' Roll and their similarities.
3) Tennessee's impact on 50s Music.

Multiple Choice

Who did mainstream 1950s television mainly ignore?

• Minorities such as Hispanics, African Americans, etc.

• White Americans.

• Rich White Americans.

• Middle Class America.

Multiple Choice

“They danced down the streets like dingledodies, and I shambled after as I’ve been doing all my life after people who interest me, because the only people for me are the mad ones, the ones who are mad to live, mad to talk, mad to be saved, desirous of everything at the same time, the ones that never yawn or say a commonplace thing, but burn, burn, burn like fabulous yellow roman candles exploding like spiders across the stars. . . .” —Jack Kerouac

from On the Road

What is the main idea of the above quote?

• The main idea is that the speaker is attracted to people who are boring, unadventurous, and conventional.
• The main idea is that the speaker is attracted to people who are lazy, uninterested, and indifferent.
• The main idea is that the speaker is attracted to people who are calm, reserved, and predictable.
• The main idea is that the speaker is attracted to people who are passionate, adventurous, and unconventional.

Multiple Choice

What was the main idea of the Beatnics of the 1950s?

• To rebel against mainstream society and promote artistic expression.
• To focus on technological advancements and innovation
• To advocate for political activism and social change
• To promote traditional values and conformity

Multiple Choice

What did the writings of the Beat Generation (AKA Beatniks) and Rock n' Roll have in common?

• They were both forms of counterculture expression. Also, both embraced rebelliousness and rejected the conventions of the 1950s.

• They were both forms of ancient culture expression.
• They were both forms of mainstream culture expression.
• They were both forms of traditional culture expression.