1950s Culture

Welcome to the 1950s! Through this webquest you will be exploring the culture and trends of the 1950s. Remember to record what you find on your worksheet.

1. Congratulations! You have just been married. Take a look at this Home Economics textbook to find some tips on how to be the perfect housewife.

2. Time to move to the suburbs! You and your spouse have decided to buy a house in Levittown, PA. Look at the four different models and decide which one fits your style and needs best.

3. You need a new car to park in your new garage. Check out these classic cars and choose one you would like to have.

4. To celebrate buying a new car you and your spouse decide to go to the drive-in for dinner and a movie. Click on the link above to read more about the drive-in.

5. You received a new tv as a wedding present. One of your favorite shows is I Love Lucy - you and your family never miss an episode! Watch the clip above from a classic episode, in this episode Lucy and Ethel have gone to charm school and change their appearance to try and impress their husbands and get their marriages out of a "rut".

6. Advertising is becoming more widespread through the use of tv. One commercial you often see while watching I Love Lucy is this ad from their sponsor, Philip Morris.

7. Variety shows were also popular during the 1950s and the Ed Sullivan Show was one of the best. Click on the link above to read more about the show. Elvis was a frequent guest on the Ed Sullivan Show. Click on this link to watch a clip of Elvis on the show. Not all teenagers were allowed to watch Elvis though and his performances were often censored. Click on the link above to read more about censorship in the 1950s.

8. When riding in your new car you love listening to the radio. One of your favorite artists is Johnny Cash. Go to YouTube and search for a Johnny Cash song to listen to. 

9. Fashion was an important part of the 1950s. Men click here to choose an outfit and women check out the many dresses the fifties had to offer.

10. For her birthday your daughter wants a hula hoop - a very popular toy at the time. Click on the link to read more about hula hoops.

11. For his birthday your son wants to go to a baseball game. Click here to read more about sports and leisure time in the 1950s.

12. As exciting as it was, not everyone wanted to conform to the mainstream culture. One outspoken group was the Beatniks. Click on the link to read more about where the word "beat" comes from. Also read a poem by Jack Kerouac, one of the most prominent members of the Beat Generation.

Congratulations!! You have completed the webquest - make sure to put your name on your worksheet.