Snapshots: The Decades
Western Reserve Public Media
 

‘50s Template

Goal
Your goal is to identify the historical patterns in the domestic affairs of the United States during the 1950s. You need to give specific attention to these topics:

  • McCarthyism
  • The space race
  • Immigration patterns

 

Assignment
Your group will study one area and present your findings to the class. You will also make a timeline that includes the major events that your group finds in each of the areas listed above. Your presentation to the class can be in the form of PowerPoint, a skit, a TV news report, a commercial or public service announcement, a photo essay, a newspaper, a song, a poster or any other approach that your teacher approves. Circle the group on which you will be working.

The Political Group will find and present information about these subjects:

  • The initial policy of the United States with regard to the topics above
  • The public reaction to that policy
  • The government response to the public reaction

The Economic Group will find and present information about these subjects:

  • The economic policies of the government with regard to the topics above
  • The economic opportunities of the people (such as race, gender and social standing)
  • The economic atmosphere — what the reality of the economic condition was

The Social Group will find and present information about these subjects:

  • Consumerism — fashion, advertising, food, etc.
  • Entertainment — sports and music
  • Famous people
  • Civil rights

The Science/Technology Group will find and present information about these subjects:

  • Inventions from this era
  • Medicine
  • Technology

After the presentations have been made, you will write a report about the decade in which you would like to live, and why you made that choice.

‘50s Template (PDF File)
 
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