Chapter 28: Affluence and its Discontents 1953-1963

Chapter 28: Affluence and its Discontents 1953-1963

1. How could economic prosperity be seen as both an opportunity and a problem during the 1950s?

Economic prosperity during the 1950's brought back what was known as the golden age prior to the war. The gap between the wealthy and impoverished began to vanish and more Americans owned homes vehicles, and could afford luxurious amenities such as an entertainment center with a TV. However, it is believed that this growth in prosperity sparked the loss of individuality in the people as work and entertainment became the epicenter of American's daily life. The establishment of comic books and Rock 'n' Roll was believed to lead to juvenile delinquency.

2. How did the fight against discrimination raise new political issues during the 1950s and 1960s?

Racial discrimination blew up during the 1950's and 1960s. African Americans and other minorities no longer tolerated the unconstitutional segregation of public facilities and disintegration of schools and jobs. As a result, this brought issues of civil rights to play. During both Eisenhower's and Kennedy's presidency, the people fought for their right to vote and be treated equally.

3. What was the response of the Eisenhower and Kennedy Administrations to the Civil Rights movement?

Eisenhower and Kennedy had no choice, the Civil rights movement mobilized at a swift pace and expanded exponentially. Participants began to use civil disobedience and non-violent tactics to establish their message. Rosa Parks arrest lead to the Montgomery Bus Boycott which dropped the revenue of the transit companies dramatically, several citizens participated in sit in's, and demanded their right to vote. To avoid further action, the presidents sought to end discrimination and segregation with the establishment of the Civil Rights Act of 1947 granting the right to vote for African Americans.

Terms:

C. Wright Mills:

A sociologist of the mid 20th century who saw the affluent cultural climate as dulled down. He stated that much sought after American way of life consisted of increasingly scheduled work routines and pointless dissatisfying leisure activities.

'Buy American':

Blackboard Jungle:

A hit movie in 1955 about a group of mixed sexually active teens that mocked the authority of adults and terrorized teachers for fun. Epitomized the media of the mid 20th century and targeted teens as they were seen to be rebellious and delinquent.

Sun Records:

A record company that lacked capital and sold Presley's contract to RCA.

Brown vs. board of education:

The case handled by chief of justice Earl Warren regarding the separate but equal doctrine restricting and segregating minorities from public schools. Push the civil rights movement further and desegregated public schools, it also gave the motivation to the people to fight for their civil rights.

SCLC:

The Southern Christian Leadership Conference formed by Martin Luther King a several other black ministers. They demanded the desegregation of public facilities, organized sociopolitical movements for permanent change. MLK brought the SCLC to registering black voters and established the efficiency of civil disobedience.

Little Rock:

The events of Little Rock, Arkansas negating children of color from entry to their school obliged Eisenhower to enforce a federal court decree desegregating Central High School. Eisenhower sent Army troops to escort the kids into the school against the established National Guard. 

Civil Rights Act of 1957:

The first civil rights act following the Reconstruction, the Civil Rights Act, secured the right to vote for African Americans.

'Sit in':

A civil disobedience action during the Civil Rights movement toward the equality of service in public facilities that involved minorities to literally sit in public facilities until they received the service the whites received.

CORE:

The Congress of Racial Equality sought after new ways of opposing discrimination. One of their most effective tactics involved sitting in public facilities to integrate them.

SNCC:

Student Non violent Coordinating Committee fought for integration and equality. It was originally formed by young students who performed sit ins to get their message across.

March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom:

In an attempt to influence the Civil Rights Activists and prevent further demonstration, the White House banned racial discrimination in public facilities in housing, and protected voting rights. However it could not prevent the movement and later endorsed it.