How Important Was Changes In Culture 1955-63 Flashcards
What significant event marked a new dimension of the SSR in 1961?
The launch of Sputnik
Sputnik was the first artificial Earth satellite, launched by the Soviet Union.
What technological advancements were prominent in the 1960s?
Non-stick coatings and computers
These advancements significantly influenced daily life and various industries.
What societal changes did the 1960s bring regarding teenagers?
Teenagers became a new consumer group with significant influence
This period saw the rise of youth culture and its impact on marketing and media.
What characterized the suburban lifestyle during the 1950s and 1960s?
Uniformity and lack of diversity
Suburbs were predominantly white, with limited representation of Black Americans.
What demographic trend occurred in the US after the economic depression and war?
The baby boom generation emerged
Young couples married and had children, leading to rapid population growth.
How was the ideal middle-class woman depicted in 1956 by Life magazine?
As 32 years old, pretty, popular, a mother of four, and married at 16
This portrayal emphasized traditional gender roles and domesticity.
What was the reception of suburban life in US films during the late 1950s?
Suburban life was largely unpopular and often flopped at the box office
Films like ‘No Down Payment’ failed to attract audiences.
Which film won the Oscar for Best Picture in 1958?
The Bridge on the River Kwai
This film depicted British troops in a Japanese prison camp.
What was the theme of the film ‘Rebel Without a Cause’?
The struggles of young people in 1950s suburbia
It was a significant film that resonated with the youth of the time.
What was a key feature of US television programming in the 1950s?
The situation comedy or ‘sitcom’
Sitcoms often depicted idealized suburban family life.
What were the two most popular sitcoms of the 1950s?
- I Love Lucy
- Father Knows Best
These shows reflected and reinforced suburban family ideals.
What was the premise of ‘Father Knows Best’?
Life in a new suburb centered around the Anderson family
The show depicted a typical middle-class family without political references.
What was the significance of ‘I Love Lucy’ in television history?
It featured one of the only starring roles for a woman in the 1950s
Lucille Ball’s character represented domestic life and humor.
What does the term ‘Counterculture’ refer to?
An alternative culture that criticized traditional American values
The US counterculture of the 1960s promoted new ideas in religion, music, and social norms.
What was the most popular game show from 1955 to 1992?
$64,000 Question, which began in June 1955.
Sponsored by cosmetic firm Revion.
Who was an early star contestant on the $64,000 Question?
Charles van Doren, who was initially perceived as a genius until it was revealed he had been given the questions beforehand.
What limited opportunities existed for black American actors in film and television during this period?
They often appeared in minor subservient roles, such as the butler Rochester in The Jack Benny Show.
Who was the first black American actor to win the Best Actor Academy Award?
Sidney Poitier, for his role in Lilies of the Field in 1963.
What was one of the USA’s most popular television shows from 1961 to 1966?
The Dick Van Dyke Show.
Who is the artist behind the song that became the first major hit number 1 on the US Billboard charts?
James Nas
The song is nicknamed ‘Rebel u’.
In what year did Elvis Presley become a major national popular music star?
1956
What cultural movement developed in the USA in 1958?
Beatnik culture
