Consensus and Conformity Essays

During the post WWII period in America, the face of the nation changed greatly under the presidency of Truman and Eisenhower. America underwent another era of good feelings as they thought themselves undefeatable and superior over the rest of the world. Communism was the American enemy and American sought to rid the world of it. Because of the extreme paranoia caused by Communism, conformity became an ideal way to distinguish American Culture from the rest. Conformity became a part of every American Life to a large extent. It became evident through the medium of culture, society and politics throughout the era of the 50s.

With the overwhelming amount of Levittown houses, the obsession to obtain the perfect American “ideal family” as seen on TV and the unspoken agreement to fear any and all foreign ideas and values, the 1950s were revealed to be a decade of prosperity, conformity and consensus. Just ten years later the atmosphere in America was shockingly different; the 1960s were a decade of turbulence, protest and disillusionment due to the ongoing struggle for civil rights, arising feminism, and the Vietnam War.

The 1950’s and 1960’s was a time for a much need changes in the United States. Many people were ready for equal treatment without judgement of race or gender. During the 50’s this was considered a rejuvenation of the civil rights movement. The United States had problems with hate crimes, racial profiling and voting rights for African Americans. Many African Americans endured harsh treatment and were discriminated again in many situations. With these problems the Civil rights movement was created to end racial discrimination and to create racial equality. Although this movement started in the early 19th century and it peaked between the 50’s and 60’s. This movement was to assure that African Americans had federal protection of their citizenship

The 1950’s and 1960’s was a time for change in the United States. Many people were ready for equal treatment without judgement of race or gender. During the 50’s this was considered a rejuvenation of the civil rights movement. The United States had problems with hate crimes racial profiling and voting rights for African Americans. Many African Americans endured harsh treatment and were discriminated again in many situations. With these problems the Civil rights movement was created to end racial discrimination and to create racial equality. Although this movement started in the early 19th century it peaked between the 50’s and 60’s. This movement was to assure that African Americans had federal protection of their citizenship rights and

They rebelled. There was increase in car theft, burglaries, and rapes. Thus, there was a large increase in teenagers charged with crimes. “The New York Daily News reported in 1954 that ‘rowdyism, riot, and revolt’ were the new three Rs in New York public schools.” (206). Rock and Roll at this time was becoming more and more popular. “Rock Around the Clock” was one of the biggest hits of the time. “In 951 a white disc jockey named Alan Freed began playing ‘race music’…” (207), and this is what broke the barrier between what was rock and roll and ‘race music’. A man named Sam Phillips saw this barrier being broken. His plan was to find a white individual with the singing capability and feel of an African American. Thus, he would be able to captivate an entire generation. This is where Elvis Aron Presley makes his claim to fame. Elvis had a humble childhood in Tupelo, Mississippi. “For his eleventh birthday, his mother gave him a $13 dollar guitar.” (208). This same guitar would help Elvis develop the skills to be one of the biggest stars of all time. He was known to be playing guitar throughout his entire

Elvis Presley’s effect on the world of music has been felt for more than 40 years after his death. Before his death he was ”the teen idol of his decade” (Britannica). He was widely known as the king of rock ‘n’ roll. He was always the “top attraction in the USA”(Britannica). Although he was popularly known for one genre of music he still inspired thousands of musicians to follow their love of music.

In 1956, he was the symbol for the youth culture in America, yet “his unique blending of white country and gospel music, black R&B and gospel, white pop music, his particular brand of charisma and talent, and the resulting success and controversy, have helped him ... a cycle of change in music and pop culture and the mores of American society” (Graceland The home of Elvis Presley). Elvis was the courage of youth teenagers, because they loved him the way he sang, dance, and changed music and rock and roll culture to a next

Regardless, Elvis kept playing his music, and ultimately brought rock and roll music into the mainstream listener base (US History for Dummies). In doing so, Elvis altered the course of music, injecting his own rock and roll techniques into the common musician’s repertoire. Paving the way for future musicians, Armstrong, Presley, and many more changed music despite of

The 1950s was a crucial time period when it comes to discussing racial topics because this was when a lot of civil rights movements began to take action and get the ball rolling on achieving equality between different races. There was a lot of tension between blacks and whites because although blacks were considered free they ran into a lot of problems with segregation and equality. For example, blacks weren’t allowed in certain restaurants, bathrooms, only allowed to use certain water fountains, etc. Also there was great deal of injustices when it came to dealing with the law. An example of one of the major civil rights movements that took place during this era was the Brown v. Board in 1954, which resulted in the removal of segregation in

The 1950s was an era of conflict and black segregation was at its ultimate limit. Many achievements for black people were in the 1950s but many racial acts took place every day. In the north, black people were trapped in the cycle of poverty as they lacked in opportunities for jobs and they also were excluded from higher education. However, in the south black people were living in the fear of violence and they were also disenfranchised from the enforced Jim Crow laws and the Ku Klux Klan (KKK).

Elvis’s music was so prodigious and powerful that it transformed the way teenager’s perceived music. Presley’s music formed a spur amongst teenagers and provided a method for the youth to go crazy and express themselves the way they desired, instead of being forced to act like how their parents thought was right for them. Because of Elvis’s music, teenagers started thinking differently from their parents’ generation and even started dressing differently and changing their life style to mimic the King of Rock. Males would try to imitate Elvis by wearing his hairstyle, growing side burns like him, and even dressing the way he did. Females drooled over Elvis for how handsome he was something that made many parents oppose Elvis’s music.

During the 1950’S the economy had grown by 37% and the average American family’s purchasing power had increased by 30%. President Eisenhower, although a Republican, expanded a number of social programs like social security and invested heavily in public projects like the Interstate Highway System.

The 1950s was a great decade for civil and human rights, a lot happened in this time era that changed the country for good and bad. In 1954 in the Brown v. Board of education the Supreme Court declared school segregation unconstitutional, which made it possible for integration in schools. Not everyone liked the ruling that was made especially the

During the 1950s, Eisenhower simultaneously developed public policy through control of military commitments abroad; for the individual, the ironic combination of consumer freedom, repressive social structures, and civil rights expansion; a protectionist stance on the economy coupled with a cautionary rejection of increased domestic spending; and the suffocation of political dissent with the blanket of patriotism. The 1950s serves as a point of restrictive reference, justifying its significance for past and future public policy.

Historically, genres of popular music have undergone dramatic changes due to changing technology, social relationships with historical events, ideas and practices and the changing demographics of listeners. For genres as diverse as country and rock ‘n’ roll, there have been many changes that were forced along with cultural movements of the times that influenced and encouraged young people to express themselves through music and through listening to music. Elvis and Johnny cash where two huge influences, halfway through Elvis’s 20 years of fame, with popularising rock music he opened a pathway for artists such as Johnny cash who bridged the gap between rock and country music to rise up and create a movement. Each artist had influenced movements, before Elvis was drafted to the army; he attracted females for his good looks and use of sexuality in some of his lyrics. After joining the army, he soon gathered a substantial amount of followers, not just by women but men as well. He gained male followers because he was seen as a war hero that risked his life for his