How Did The 1950's Influence On American Culture

Television influenced people’s lives like no other phenomenon of its time in the 1950’s. Culture and politics was effected by the 1950’s through television programming as shows changed how people viewed the world, commercials stimulated the growth of both new and old products and news could be seen and not just read in the newspapers. When television first came on the scene, it was considered a toy for the wealthy but by the 1950’s most homes had a television as their new form of entertainment. Families changed their routines so they could gather together to watch their favorite television program. As television brought information and entertainment into homes, the world became smaller as people watched the same programs at the same time

in different places.
In the 1950’s, dramas, situation comedies and variety shows brought Americans a different form of entertainment which they could watch in the comfort of their own home.

Sitcoms and Wild West shows presented the positive side of life giving Americans the feeling that everything was great and good always won in the end. These programs gave people unrealistic expectations of how life really was. Shows like Leave it to Beaver and Father Knows best created a perfect family life that was next to impossible to achieve. An article from U .S History. Org states that “Television's idea of a perfect family was a briefcase-toting professional father who left daily for work, and a pearls-wearing, nurturing housewife who raised their mischievous boys and obedient girls.” Variety shows bought a combination of classic entertainers and new and upcoming artists to living rooms through television which influenced how people felt about music and humor. Through dramas, sitcoms and variety shows,

American
Hartnett 2
culture was influenced and could be a witness to be feel a part of things outside their own backyard.
With more people owning televisions in the 1950’s, politician’s embraced the power of television commercials. They soon realized that a well-made, well placed television commercial could greatly affect their election outcome. John Green writes in his article for Demand Media “…political campaigns started resembling the era's commercial campaigns, with cartoon characters, catchy jingles and personal interaction with ordinary people.” Television could be a
double edged sword and Richard Nixon is the best example. Nixon was able to overcome a financial scandal in a well-received speech where he referenced his dog Checkers. However,
while debating John F Kennedy he came across as sweaty and mistrustful, against the handsome young JFK. Television not only changed how politicians were scene but also what they talked about injustices and civil rights began to come to light.
Television commercials of the 1950s were in some cases as entertaining as the show they were sponsoring.

Companies sponsoring television shows ranged from practically everything consumers were buying at the time. While watching a television show, viewers were exposed to advertisements for everything from automobiles, lightbulbs to cereal and soda with tobacco being the most advertised product. TV Dinners were introduced so meals could made quickly and eaten while watching a family’s favorite show. Catchy jingles would stay with watchers all the way to the grocery store as they opened their wallets to buy new products. U.S.History.org notes the “the adorable cartoon characters Snap, Crackle, and Pop leapt around and sang about the joys of eating Rice Krispies”. Often commercials would combine catchy tunes, cartoon characters and celebrity spokesman. People’s spending habits and how they regarded products were influenced by how well the commercial was presented and perhaps by how they felt about the celebrity endorsing the

product.
Television in the 1950’s had a tremendous impact on culture and politics in America. Numerous new products were introduced by program sponsors who entered people’s lives during the commercial break of their favorite program. Many of the programs had a “feel good” message which made audiences feel that good would win over evil and all was well in America. People felt connected to celebrities and politicians alike as they entered their homes each night via the television. Throughout the 1950s, communication through the television had a great impact on the culture and the political scene of America.

Hartnett 3

Works cited

"Land of Television." Ushistory