The Role Of Conformity In The 1950s

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The United States had appeared to be dominated by consensus and conformity in the 1950s. The fifties were the decade of reform to the better led by president Eisenhower. The economy was booming. Further, there was a rise in consumerism which resulted in a domino effect on the economy. On the other hand, issues arose during that time as well, such as the fear of communism. Additionally, disagreements and rebellions. The 1950s was characterized as a prosperous and conformist for several reasons. For instance, the development of the suburbs. The fifties was a period of civil rights groups, feminism, and change. When it came to the fear of communism during the fifties the majority were in agreement. The Cold War escalated and shaped the 1950s societies. The Cold War has isolated and demonized communists in Americans’ eyes. J. Edgar Hoover, the first director of the FBI stated in a speech in 1947 that “Communism, in reality, is not a political party. It is a way of life-an evil and malignant way of life” (Document B). Brigadier General Frank T. Hines was also very vocal about his anti-communist sentiments. Further, during a speech in 1944 he …show more content…

Americans moved to suburbs to escape crime, racial diversity, pollution and to earn better education for their children. The Resolution of the State of South Carolina stated, “ … The right of each of the States to maintain at its own expense racially separate public schools for children of its citizens and other racially separate public facilities is not forbidden or limited by the language of the intent of the Fourteenth Amendment…” (Document F). Additionally, William Levitt provided these developing suburbs with his use of mass production techniques to build inexpensive houses to assist the postwar housing shortage. Further, “Levittown” was composed of several thousand two-bedroom Cape Cod-styled houses (Document