Ch. 24 Discussion Forum: The 1950s: Consumerism and Conformity

Directions: Watch segments 1 through 7 of “Super Power: America- the Story of Us,” read Chapter 24 in Give Me Liberty!, and read the following documents from the Voices of Fredom
reader 162 (pg. 244: Nixon “What Freedom Means to Us,”; pg. 249, Doc.
163, Kerr “Industrialism and Industrial Man,” and pg. 259, Doc. 166,
Mills “Cheerful Robots.”)

In your original post, write a response to the following question:

The 1950s is typically dubbed a decade of conformity where a new
“American standard of living” became dominated by consumerism, suburban
living, and emphasis on democratic American values to oppose communism.
By the end of the decade, do you think conformity still dominated
American society? Why or why not? (Be sure to consider the new consumer
culture, suburban living, and anti-communist crusade. Also consider
social movements like the Beats and the beginning of the Civil Rights
movement.)

Be sure to cite course materials below in both posts as directed on the syllabus and ADD supporting examples!!

Foner, Eric. Give Me Liberty!. 4th ed. Vol. 2. New York: W.W.
Norton, 2014. Print.

Foner, Eric. Voices of Freedom. 4th ed. Vol. 2. New York: W.W.
Norton, 2014. Print.

In your reply, find a classmate that agrees with your original assessment and make a counter argument.