American in the 50s - Essay Example

American in the 50s What were the most significant social and cultural changes taking place in the US following World War II and during the 1950s?There was a boom in the economy and young people started getting allowances from their parents and working only part time. Women also went back to work and started earning higher wages in better jobs than before. People according to Roark et al (2012) became socially conservative as a result of increase in religion but also materialistic. The population also increased drastically forcing people to move to cities and suburbs.

Culturally, there was an increase in the fashion trends, music and television also became of significance as well as other visual art movements. What were the causes of these changes?These changes in social interaction as well as culture were largely brought about by the increase in economic prosperity in the country. People were not struggling as much to get a job or earn a living giving hence leaving them free time to engage in other activities. The presence of peace after the war also led to people having the freedom to be creative in the entertainment arena and hence the cultural development alongside the social development.

How did the cold war effect these changes?The cold war made the US take sides with the anti-communists and this meant that it preferred capitalism. Capitalism led to the economic boom and the social changes that took place in the society as every person worked hard on their own initiative and interacted in trade hence creating bonds and friendships in the process. The cold war also created a political climate that was conservative and which did not agree much with direct confrontation that would lead to war.

The political climate that was present therefore set the atmosphere of increased productivity and creativity without any cause of alarm for future (Costigliola and Michael 61). Work CitedCostigliola, Frank and Michael Hogan. America in the World. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2013. Roark, James, et al. The American Promise, Volume I: To 1877: A History of the United States. New York: Bedford/St. Martin’s, 2012.