What Part Did Popular Culture And News Media Play In Changing America? Flashcards

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1
Q

Radio 20s and 30s

A

Changed under Roosevelt: president was now responsible for decision making and legislation, on a more personal and immediate basis

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2
Q

Cinema in the 20s and 30s

A

1920s: non silent movies began
1927 ‘The Jazz Singer’ first ‘talkie’
Boomed following the war, became an evening out
1930s: each week change of ‘feature’ movie
Provided escapism and idolism

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3
Q

Studio system

A

1930s and 40s: 90% of films worldwide made in Hollywood
8 main companies: chose which movies were shown where and classified suitability
B movies and A movies

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4
Q

Stars and the studio system

A

Stars expected to behave similarly to their on screen persona
1930s Shirley Temple earned $5,000 a week
MGM $500,000 deal with Coca Cola- stars drank during breaks and interviews
If blacklisted (eg red scare) impossible to find work

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5
Q

Criticisms of movie industry

A

Many complaints of the industry towards the end of the 1920s
Opponents said female stars wore too little/ smoked or drank too much
Gangster genre accused of making crime/ violence attractive
Stars involved in scandals

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6
Q

Regulating the movies

A

Motion Picture Production Code (Hays Code) 1929-30
All movies had to conform 30-66, didn’t to driving idea of morality
‘No swearing, not even damn’ ‘no nudity’ ‘white slave trade could never be shown’ ‘morality clause’ for stars

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7
Q

Jazz and its impact on race relations

A

Many jazz and swing players were black eg Duke Ellington
Roots in black American music
More acceptance

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8
Q

‘Race records’

A

Specifically provide jazz and blues music by black performers

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9
Q

Controversial 1920s dance

A
Sexually suggestive 
Performers wore very little 
Development of 'flappers' 
Very dissimilar to more traditional and classic dances 
Liberation 
Charleston
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10
Q

Change of radio over time

A

Grew rapidly in 20s and 30s
Broadcast quicker than paper could print
Commercial and advertising: stations sponsored
Used by politicians and religious speakers
Radio Act of 1927: set up federal licensing of radio stations and shared out airwaves

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11
Q

Effect of radio on culture

A

Brought world to homes

Part of mass culture

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12
Q

War of The Worlds Incident

A

Dramatised novel on CBS, thought to be genuine ‘realism’- how much people relied and trusted the radio

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13
Q

Social impact of television from the 50s

A

Advertisement reflected an idealistic lifestyle rather than realism and promoted ideas of ‘The American Dream’
Something to aspire to
Popular activities such as bowling/ cinema were advertised

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14
Q

American TV

A

Featured very few black Americans
Baby boom: targeted children
Products related to series of TV
Created a national culture

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15
Q

Change in politic through TV

A

‘Air time’ fought for by politicians and TV used as an advertisement
Eisenhower and Kennedy: persuasive and good looking

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16
Q

Kennedy and Nixon

A

1960 debates
Kennedy appeared more confident and in control
Nixon: sweaty and less attractive on TV
Radio listener preferred Nixon

17
Q

Influence of TV advertising

A

Aired nationally- slogans spread
Post war boom and subsequent consumer culture
TV and advertising created a unified American culture
Revived the ‘American Dream ideology’

18
Q

Expansion of television

A

Recording techniques and special effects improved
More channels and shows
Pre recording allowed producers to shape the message of the programme
By 1970s: news and sport virtually only programmes shown live
Longer broadcasts and increased no of viewers

19
Q

Criticisms of the expansion of television

A

Many conservatives and religious people believed violence was glamorised
Criticised as manipulative: fixed quiz shows and decline in trust

20
Q

Non commercial TV

A

1967 Public Broadcasting Act set up
Govt funded
Established Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) in 1969

21
Q

Sesame Street

A

Promoted racial harmony
Racial tolerance and sharing
Children in white suburbs have a positive view of other races

22
Q

60s and 70s change in attitudes through TV

A

More informed due to documentaries and presidential debates- danger of slant
MAS*H drama set in Korean War: made a discussion point and contributes to popular anti war feeling
Growing acceptance of BA due to depiction of black family life
Political satire: saw politicians if a diff light, less respect and look for mistakes

23
Q

Influence of the broadcast news WWII

A
90% of news is about the war and 50million tune in nightly 
Walter Cronkite (respected TV journalist, shapes public opinion to be that the war can't be won): negotiations need to happen
24
Q

Influences of the newspaper and radio in 20s and 30s

A

Broadcast news quicker, more authorities voice
Newspapers have advantage of images, tabloid format emerges
Radios create panic during the depression and fuel fears of failing share prices: people panic and sell shares
Papers also full of stock market scares

25
Q

Change of radio under Roosevelt

A

Restores confidence and trust in banks

Radio reports WWII more thoroughly and quicker than movie news reels

26
Q

Influence of TV in the 50s

A

‘See It Now’ in 1954: exposed McCarthy as a liar and bully: shifts public opinion
TV news combines voice of the radio with advantage of images of the papers

27
Q

1960s and 70s TV

A

Lives news coverage of events such as the Viban Missile Crisis and Moon Landing
Tv news largely favoured over radio (advantage of images)
Politicians make decision on crisis from TV- part of the news
Coverage of watergate hearings in Senate: change public opinion
Jane Fonda visits communists North Vietnamese troops