Topic 7 - Popular Culture after the Second World War

Question 1

What happened to the American economy after the Second World War (post-1945)?

Answer 1

It continued to grow.

Question 2

What evidence is there that America’s economy continued to grow after the Second World War (post-1945)?

Answer 2

1. America was producing nearly half the world’s goods.

2. During the 1950s, America’s Gross National Product (the total value of all goods and services produced) doubled.

Question 3

How did the living standard of the average American compare to people in Britain after the Second World War?

Answer 3

In 1960, the living standard of the average American was three times that of the average British person.

Question 4

Identify two reasons which explain why the US economy continued to grow after the Second World war.

Answer 4

1. Military spending in the Cold War

2. The G.I. Bill

Question 5

What was the G.I. Bill?

Answer 5

It was a law passed in 1944 which gave range of benefits to those who had fought during the Second World War.

Question 6

What benefits did American veterans (ex-soldiers) receive as a result of the G.I. Bill?

Answer 6

1. The G. I. Bill paid for education or training for veterans.
2. The G.I. Bill offered veterans low-interest mortgages to buy a new home.

Question 7

By 1956, how many veterans had used the G. I. Bill to go to college or university, or to receive training?

Answer 7

7.8 million

Question 8

In total, how much did America spend during the years of the Cold War (1947-1989)?

Answer 8

$8 trillion

Question 9

Which facilities benefitted from the Cold War?

Answer 9

1. Nuclear research facilities (because of the nuclear arms race)
2. Space research facilities (because of the Space Race)

Question 10

How were people’s lives affected by the continued growth of the American economy after the Second World War?

Answer 10

Many Americans (particularly the middle-class) enjoyed a very comfortable lifestyle.

Question 11

What became a popular recreational activity in the 1950s and 1960s?

Answer 11

Shopping

Question 12

What encouraged Americans to buy consumer goods in the 1950s and 1960s?

Answer 12

1. Hire purchase (which allowed people to buy goods on credit and to pay for goods in regular monthly and weekly instalments)
2. Advertising in magazines, newspapers and on the television

Question 13

What did many Americans believe in after the Second World War?

Answer 13

Americans believed in the ‘American Dream’ – the idea that anyone could achieve prosperity (wealth) and success through hard work.

Question 14

Identify three appliances which became common in American homes.

Answer 14

Refrigerators, washing machines and televisions

Question 15

What proportion (%) of American people owned a TV by 1958 in comparison to a decade earlier in 1948?

Answer 15

1948: 0.4% of households owned a TV
1958: 83.2% of households owned a TV

Question 16

How did American businesses use the TV to increase their profits?

Answer 16

They used advertising on the TV to encourage spending (and the development of a consumer society).

Question 17

What emerged in America in 1940s and 1950s, affecting the youth?

Answer 17

The “teenager”

Question 18

Why did a “teenage culture” emerge in America after the Second World War?

Answer 18

1. Teenagers had more spending money in the wealthier society.
2. Teenagers had more leisure time.

Question 19

What did “teenagers” become associated with by the 1950s?

Answer 19

Rebellion against the expectations of their parents and society.

Question 20

Name two films which were based on the theme of the rebellious “teenager”.

Answer 20

1. ‘Rebel without a cause’ (starring James Dean)

2. The Wild One (starring Marlon Brando)

Question 21

What new music styles had emerged by the 1950s?

Answer 21

Rock and Roll

Question 22

Name a famous Rock and Roll artist in 1950s America.

Answer 22

Elvis Presley (he had at least 170 hit singles and over 80 top-selling albums).

Question 23

How did the older generations respond to the development of a new “teenage” culture?

Answer 23

They criticised the new culture. For example, singers such as Elvis Presley were criticised for their sexualised behaviour on stage.

Question 24

What TV shows grew in popularity in 1950s America?

Answer 24

1. Soap operas (such as ‘Search for Tomorrow’)
2. Game shows (such as ‘Make me Laugh’)
3. Sitcoms (such as ‘I love Lucy’)