(His-450) The Golden and Mystical 1950s Worksheet.docx -...

HIS-450 Topic 2
The Golden and Mystical 1950s Worksheet
Instructions: In 200-300 words, respond to the following prompts. Each prompt should be
supported with research.
1. What specific effects did Urban Sprawl have on U.S. society? Explain.
- During the 1950s, white, middle-class Americans primarily populated suburban areas. These
families moved out of cities to raise their children in safer and more spacious living
environments. These suburban areas were also known for their lower tax rates and better
education systems. The smaller business moved into these areas in order to take advantage of
the lower tax rates, higher profits, and better revenue (Everything Connects, 2017). These
areas, typically taking up the space in between cities, quickly began spreading across the
country. Despite their apparent positive effects, other specific impacts quickly also became
apparent. These impacts include higher water pollution due to more residential use, higher air
pollution due to the eventual excess use of automobiles, increasing traffic jams and facilities,
loss of land for agricultural use, and more pollutants in lakes and rivers as a result of sewage
runoff (Everything Connects, 2017). Aside from the impacts on the immediate area
surrounding the suburbs, these communities also had racial impacts. Given that many of
these areas catered to and were populated by white middle-class families, the separation
between races became much more apparent. This meant that while many Caucasian families
fled to the suburbs, many African American familial units remained in the deteriorating inner
cities where many of the urban riots took place in the 1960s (Moss & Thomas, 2013).
2. How did the advent of Rock and Roll and the “Teen Culture” impact U.S. society?
Explain.

- The development of Rock and Roll in the United States created a subculture never seen in
American society. This culture became known as “teen culture”. Individuals between the
ages of 15 and 19 were able to develop an identifying culture outside of the normative
culture of their immediate surroundings. The new culture sparked more creativity and
different innovative styles of music, fashion, trends, and art. This newly formed culture
sparked animosity in the older individuals who were more beholden to the ideals of hard
work and dedication of their youth. The teens of the day were known as carefree rebels”
by those not part of the teen culture (Moss & Thomas, 2013). Many of the older