The 1950s was a time of discovers, fears, and inequality. The 50s was filled with war and controversies due to fear of communist ideals and nuclear weapons that brought upon the early Cold War to the Korean War and the Red Scare, which was infiltrated by Joseph McCarthy. This time was also a time of separation and the fight of equality for African Americans that were the start of the early Civil Rights Movement, which was popularized by the advocating of Reverend Martin Luther King Jr. Indeed the 50s was also a time of new discoveries and trends that brought upon the start of teenage rebellion due to technological influences. President Harry S. Truman was man who leaf the country throughout early issues and events of the 1950s.
During the 1950s communism brought upon war and controversies. The early Cold War began when the Soviet Union exploded an H-bomb in 1952, which was a shock to the United States for they thought they were the only ones who possessed such a powerful weapon. The race was on for technological development. Tension grew between the two countries.
After World War II Korea was divided in half at the 38th parallel line north became communist under Soviet Union and the south was controlled by the United States. On June 25,1950 northern Koreans invaded south with aid of the Soviet Union, with tension already between the two nationals the Untied States went to war to help the southern Koreans. The Korean War lasted about three years and more then 100,000 American were wounded and more than 50,000 killed in war, which was difficult for the American soldiers as they weren’t just fought in environment that they weren’t accustomed to but as well as they fought soldiers that used guerilla tactics. The war ended when the Soviet Union signed the armistice in July 25,1953. Korea remained divided at the 38th parallel line.
During the same time a Senator Joseph McCarthy announced that he a list of communists working in the US. Government. This news brought media and other forms of communication, which infiltrated ideas to the public and cause many to start questioning their fellow friends, co-workers and neighbors fearing that they could be spies working for the Soviet Union to sabotage the government. Many people who were accused of being spies lost their jobs and others were arrested. This conflict was know to be the 2nd Red Scare or McCarthyism, after the man the start of such controversy which ended hurting many due to a list that never truly existed.
As communism and nuclear power grew many American feared of an unexpected nuclear bombing, for now the Soviet Union now had a bomb. Many American built bomb shelters under their homes in fear. In addition the whole nation practiced routine atomic drills, which of sirens went off notifying the people of the drill and people all over would take cover.
The 50s was also the beginning of the Civil Rights Movement was the movement for equality of Africans Americans. Who were being discriminated throughout the country. Many African Americans marched and protested against this injustice. For instances. Reverend Martin Luther King Jr. was one of the most popular figures of this movement, who lead many through his speeches and marches and was imprisoned at many times for his actions but never stopped him from advocating his beliefs.
The 50s was an era of new trends; Rock-n-Roll became popular and was being heard through the radio and the television as it became more accessible to American homes. Many teenagers were being influenced by both TV and radio this new style of music and rebellious shown with idols such as Marlon Brando, who portrayed a rebellious role. The American youth had changed from this point on due to the influences of the new entertainment.
The man who led the country through the early issues of this time was Harry S, Truman. A man who not only knew it was his duty to help others that were being subjugated by other armies, minorities, or powers. In addition, he also was the first president to be interested in the Civil Right Movement for he passed the Fair Employment Act, which was to limit discrimination against Americans during the war as well as other minorities. As well he felt it would be unjust to deport people who were accused of being spies. As you can see President Harry S. Truman was an important figure of the 1950s.
The 1950s weren’t just about war and trends but of time of new concepts and technology that brought new costumes to the American culture; from the Nuclear bombs and technologies such as television to new eras of music and the influences of Rock-n- Roll and the fight for equality. The 1950s was a turning point in American society.
Bibliography
Kallen, Stuart A. A Culture History of the United States: The 1950s.San Diego: Lucent Books. 1999
Feinstein, Stephen. The 1950s from the Korean War to Elvis. Berkely Heights: Enslow. 2000
Epstein, Dan. 20th Century Pop Culture: The 50s. Philadelphia: Chelsea House Publishers. 1999/2000
