The 1950s have been memorialized as a period of good times and widespread prosperity in the United States.

Unraveling the myth of the 50s

Nine of the Hollywood 10 charged with contempt of Congress 1947

“Nine of the Hollywood 10 charged with contempt of Congressopens in a new window” by Los Angeles Times photographic archive – Digital collections — UCLA Libraryopens in a new window Published caption SURRENDER — Charged with contempt of Congress, nine Hollywood men give themselves up to U.S. Marshal yesterday. From left, Robert Adrian Scott, Edward Dmytryk, Samuel Ornitz, Lester Cole, Herbert Biberman, Albert Maltz, Alvah Bessie, John Howard Lawson and Ring Lardner Jr. Topic Hollywood blacklistopens in a new window Publication Los Angeles Times. Licensed under Public Domain via Commonsopens in a new window.

The 1950s have been memorialized as a period of good times and widespread prosperity in the United States. However, as the readings in chapter 11 show, this iconic understanding of the 50s has been more myth than reality. For this discussion forum:

Create a post that looks at the “other side” of the 50s.

Document the grim realities that faced Americans during this decade.

Choose 1-3 readings from chapter 11 to support your posts.

As with the earlier discussions in this module, you might want to draw on your research-in-progress — both in putting together your initial posts and in commenting on your peers’ contributions. Feel free to share insights that you might be developing from your research projects with each other.