28 Wonderful Color Photographs Capture Everyday Life in the U.S From the 1950s
Life in the U.S during the 1950s was characterized by economic growth, social conservatism, and cultural change. The end of World War II in 1945 marked the beginning of a period of economic prosperity in the United States. The 1950s saw significant growth in the middle class, a rise in consumerism, and a surge in suburban development. Many Americans moved to suburban areas, spurred by affordable housing, the availability of the GI Bill for veterans, and the desire for a more comfortable lifestyle.
The 1950s witnessed the rise of suburban communities, such as Levittown, New York, which became a symbol of post-war suburban life. Suburbs were characterized by uniform houses, large lawns, and a sense of community.
The economic boom led to an increase in consumer spending. There was a surge in the purchase of automobiles, televisions, household appliances, and other consumer goods. Advertisements became more prevalent, and brands began to shape American culture. Shopping malls and fast-food chains, like McDonald’s, started to emerge.
Fashion in the 1950s was characterized by conservative styles. Men’s fashion included suits, hats, and polished shoes, while women’s fashion often featured full skirts, dresses, and modest blouses. The decade also saw the rise of youth culture, with teenagers embracing new styles, such as leather jackets and blue jeans, inspired by rock and roll.
Overall, life in the 1950s in the U.S was marked by a mix of economic prosperity, social conformity, cultural change, and the beginnings of social movements that would define the following decades.
Black and White Photos Show Life of an American Family in the 1950s
Life in the U.S during the 1950s was characterized by post-World War II prosperity, suburban growth, and cultural conformity. Economic growth led to increased consumerism, with many families buying homes, cars, and new household appliances. Suburban neighborhoods expanded rapidly, supported by the development of the interstate highway system.
The decade also saw the rise of the “nuclear family” model, with a focus on traditional gender roles: men were typically the breadwinners, and women were often homemakers. Popular culture flourished with the advent of television, rock ‘n’ roll music, and iconic figures like Elvis Presley and Marilyn Monroe.
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Despite the prosperity, the era was marked by social and political tensions. The Civil Rights Movement began to gain momentum, challenging racial segregation and discrimination. The Cold War fostered a climate of fear and suspicion, leading to events like the Red Scare and McCarthyism.
In summary, the 1950s in the U.S were a time of economic growth and cultural change, underpinned by underlying social and political challenges. These black and white photos were found by MartinJSnelling that show life of an American family in the 1950s.
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| Trunk Sitting, circa 1950s |
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| Best Outfits, circa 1950s |
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| Cake!, circa 1950s |
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| Connecticut Cleaners in East Hartford, Connecticut, circa 1950s |
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| Dad & Daughter, circa 1950s |
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| Family, circa 1950s |
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| First Christmas, circa 1950s |
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| Hood Ornament, circa 1950s |
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| Lady of the Lake, circa 1950s |
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| Laughing, circa 1950s |
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| Little Tryke, circa 1950s |
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| Lovely Lollypop, circa 1950s |
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| Me & My Monkey, circa 1950s |
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| New Shoes, circa 1950s |
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| On The Back Steps, circa 1950s |
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| Photobombed!, circa 1950s |
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| Playing in the Backyard, circa 1950s |
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| Proud Parent, circa 1950s |
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| Shadows, circa 1950s |
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| Sittin on Gramp’s Lap, circa 1950s |
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| Sittin Pretty, circa 1950s |
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| Sitting under the Xmas Tree, circa 1950s |
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| Smile Honey, circa 1950s |
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| Tea & Smokes in Hospital, circa 1950s |
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| The Car Sitters, circa 1950s |
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| The Ponteac & The Grandparents, circa 1950s |
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| What’s Cookin?, circa 1950s |
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| Young Love, circa 1950s |
Life of the U.S. in the 1950s and ’60s Through Fascinating Kodachrome Slides
The United States in the 1950s experienced marked economic growth – with an increase in manufacturing and home construction amongst a post–World War II economic expansion. The 1950s in the United States are generally considered both socially conservative and highly materialistic in nature. The 1950s are noted in United States history as a time of compliance, conformity and also, to a lesser extent, of rebellion.
The 1960s were one of the most tumultuous and divisive decades in world history, marked by the civil rights movement, the Vietnam War and antiwar protests, political assassinations and the emerging “generation gap.”
These fascinating Kodachrome slides were found by Bousquairol’s Gallery that show what life of the United States looked like in the 1950s and 1960s.
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| A beauty contest at Jantzen Beach, Portland, Oregon, circa 1950s |
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| Barefoot selfie, circa 1950s |
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| Baseball match, circa 1950s |
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| Boy on a red Triumph motorcycle, circa 1950s |
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| Harold’s club in Reno, Nevada, circa 1950s |
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| Motorway tollbooth, circa 1950s |
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| Pepsi-Cola, circa 1950s |
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| Sunbathing, circa 1950s |
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| Tennis woman, circa 1950s |
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| The attendant, circa 1950s |
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| L. Wetzel airport dedication, Curtis Municipal Airport, Nebraska, 9th September, 1951 |
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| A beautiful brunette, 1952 rodeo queen, Nebraska |
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| A Nash Ambassador car in Curtis, Nebraska, 1952 |
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| Four young guys in a green 1952 Chevrolet in Hawaii, circa 1952 |
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| Grocery store in Rosamond, California, July 1952 |
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| A man washing his white Pontiac Catalina car in Florida, 1953 |
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| Crazy Horse statue in the Black Hills area, Hill City, Dakota, August 1953 |
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| Surfcomber Hotel, Miami Beach, Florida, 1953 |
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| Three Nash Ambassador cars, Nebraska, August 1953 |
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| Lynda with a yellow dress, her friend and a dog, July 1954 |
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| E79 Street/Madison Avenue, New York, circa 1955 |
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| Pinup girl, circa 1955 |
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| Two women and a men at their trailer, 1958 |
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| A big trailer in San Francisco, California, June 1959 |
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| Boys in a Burger King restaurant, circa 1960s |
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| Garden of the Gods, Colorado Springs, Colorado, circa 1960s |
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| Hotel Sacaton, Casa Grande, Arizona (Former Greyhound bus terminal in the later years), circa 1960s |
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| Speed Limit 35, Lincoln, Nebraska, circa 1960 |
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| A car in front of the National Headquarters, The American Legion in Indianapolis, Indiana, August 1962 |
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| Lincoln street scenes, Nebraska, October 1962 |
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| Denver, Colorado, 1963 |
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| Larimer street, Denver, Colorado, 1963 |
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| Larimer street, Denver, Colorado, 1963 |
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| Red Oldsmobile Dynamic 88, December 1963 |
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| Son and father cleaning the window, November 1963 |
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| Standard Gas Station, Lincoln, Nebraska, January 1964 |
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| A man waiting the “Alcatraz Island Day Tour”, February 1965 |
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| Airstream in front of Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco, California, 1965 |
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| British racing green Austin Healey 3000, June 1965 |
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| Buick Wildcat coupe in Minnesota, April 1965 |
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| Grand Central Parkway (near Exit 9E), New York, June 1965 |
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| Hyde Street, San Francisco, California, February 1965 |
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| Sacramento Street, San Francisco, California, February 1965 |
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| San Francisco California 1 Shoreline Highway, February 1965 |
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| Along road at Saguaro Park, Arizona, June 14, 1967 |
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| Old Absinthe House Bar, 400 Bourbon street, New Orleans, Louisiana, August 1968 |
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| Two cars along a street in New Orleans area, Louisiana, August 1968 |
