The 1950’s
By: Margaret Riedy,Kendra Laurens,Theo
Ferguson, & Connor Duffy.
Key People





Dwight D. Eisenhower- 34th of the United States. World War
2 war hero. His campaign slogan was “I like Ike.” Also
wanted to maintain world peace.
Martin Luther King- Remembered for his leadership. Civil
Rights activist. Did some work in the 50’s but his mo st
popular speeches and boycotts were in the 60’s.
Rosa Parks- Refused to give up her seat for a white man.
Later got arrested for breaking a Jim Crow Law.
Werhner Von Braun- Helped the United States get up to
par with the Soviet Union technology.
Joseph Stalin- Soviet Dictator. Died in 1953.
Dwight D. Eisenhower
Wernher Von Braun
Martin Luther King
Joseph Stalin
Rosa Parks
Key Events





The Korean War- North Korean Communist Troops crossed the
38th parallel into South Korea starting the Korean War in 1950. The
US sided with the South, and the Soviet Union sided with the
North. During the war, the US was able to contain communism.
Alaska and Hawaii- in 1959 Alaska and Hawaii became the 49th
and 50th states. This greatly increased US territory.
Montgomery Bus Boycott- In 1955, this boycott headed my
Martin Luther King, Jr. and Rosa Parks. It all began when Rosa
Parks was arrested for breaking a Jim Crow Law.
The Red Scare- This was the scare of communism in the US.
Senator McCarthy accused suspicious people of being
communists.
The Sending of Sputnik- Created by the Soviet Union, Sputnik (a
man made satellite) successfully orbited around earth in 1957.
Montgomery Bus Boycott.
The Korean War
Sputnik
Alaska and Hawaii
The Red Scare.
Technology/Inventions





Explorer I- The United States caught up with the Soviet Union in
technology through our artificial satellite “Explorer I.”
Saran Wrap- Saran wrap was created in 1953 to keep food
fresher for longer. It could also withstand extremely high
temperature without the food going bad.
Television- By the year 1950 millions of American’s had televisions
in their home for entertainment. The four major networks were
CBS, NBC, ABC & Dumont network.
Xerox Machine- The first xerox machine was created by a patent
holder by the name of Chester Carlson. It was designed in 1950.
He called it xerography.
Vaccination For Polio- Jonas Salk Created the vaccination for
polio 1953. The vaccine consisted of dead polio virus , which
can enable the body to create antibodies without risks of
infection.
Explorer 1
Saran Wrap
Xerox Machine
Television
Television
Fads & Fashion





Popular phrases included words like “the fuzz,” which means the
police; “Knuckle sandwich,” which means a punch in the face;
“Cat,” which means a cool guy; “chick,” which means a cool
girl; and “beatnik,” which means an extremly cool person who
lives spontaneously.
Girls fashion included a tight sweater, a poodle skirt with
sequined decoration, bobby socks, and saddle shoes.
Boys Fashion included faded and/or ripped jeans and a white
tee with a rock and roll symbol.
Girls played with the new found “Barbie Doll” designed and
released in 1959. Boys played with Davey Crockett and oy
Rogers toys.
Popular designers such as Dior, Chanel, and Givenchy were
copied in the US.
Coco Chanel
Girl’s Fashion
Barbie Doll
Boy’s Fashion
“The Fuzz”
Music & Entertainment





Elvis Presley- One of the most popular artists of not only the decade but of
the century. With hits like “Aint Nothin’ But a Hound Dog” and “Blue
Suede Shoes,” Elvis quickly became the first teen idol of the 1950’s. His
outragious clothes, hair, and dance moves made new fashion trends.
Drive in Theaters- The number of drive in theaters increased five times
from 1950- 1958. Cars were a sign of coolness. Drive ins increased in both
size and number.
Johnny Cash- When he first started his career in the music biz, he sang
mostly R&B and a little bit of rock. In ’56, he released his hit album, “I Walk
the Line.”
Bill Haley- He released his hit “Rock Around The Clock” in ’55. Rock and
Roll brought new dances and trends to the US.
Patsy Cline- A Country Singer, she came out with hits like Faded Love
and So Long. She was singed to a label in ’53.
Patsy Cline
Elvis Presley
Bill Haley
Drive in theater
Johnny Cash