The Growth of Popular Culture

Chapter 24

Section 2

Words to Know

• Consumer: A person who buys and uses products

• Generation gap: A large difference in taste and values between young people and their parents.

1950’s• Television began to affect

American life

• Brought the same message to all Americans

• T.V. created a popular American culture

• Teenagers and adults began to like different things

Television Changes Life• First t.v.’s sold in late 1940’s:

• Most families didn’t own one until 50’s

T.V.’s

Small boxes

Even smaller b+w screens

• T.V. was exciting

• People across the country could watch the same things

• By 1950: 4 million homes (t.v.’s)

• By 1960: most American families owned one

Before T.V.• Families made their own

fun:

• Read

• Sang

• Listened to the radio

• Played games

• Talked

• By 1956-many adults watched as much t.v. per week as they did work

• Children spent many hours in front of the t.v. as well

Chart pg. 456

• Homes in 1950:• 4 million

• Homes in 1956: • 35 million

• Homes in 1960:• 45 million

• When was the biggest increase:• 1950-1952

• What was the increase:• 11 million

Changing Politics1952 Presidential Race

Candidates made speeches on t.v.

Could speak to millions of people

Look and sounded (affected who won)

Candidates with more money=more ads on t.v.

• Most Americans get many of their political views from t.v.

Society of Consumers• Affected buying habits

of people

• Ads reached millions of people

People all over the U.S

Buying same food

Clothes

Washing machines

Etc….

• Companies spent millions on ads

• Ads all over to buy more…..

Ad Space

Newspapers

Magazines

Billboards

t.v.

Rock and Roll• Started in the late 40’s-50’s

• African Americans moved to North and brought music with them (rhythm and blues):

• Jazz/blues

• Radio stations in North started playing this music

• Alan Freed-disc jockey gave it the name rock ‘n’roll

Artists• African Americans were recording top selling

hits

• 1955-Elvis Presley:• Grew up in the South• Became a huge star

Elvis opens the door for others

Jerry Lee Lewis

Buddy Holly

Everly Brothers

• All southerners

• Chuck Berry-African American:• Wrote songs about problems of young

people• First great rock ‘n’ roll guitar player

Generation Gap• Many adults did not like the new music:

• Liked their own softer, gentler music

• Rock ‘n’ roll too loud and fast

• Lyrics about young people

• Bad role models for children

Generation Gap included

• Music

• Clothes

• Hairstyles

• Dances

• Movies

• Books

• ideas

Class WorkChapter 24 Section 2 Crossword