The 1950s became known as the “Golden Years ”. It is a decade of technological revolutions with evident social implications, especially when we consider the communicational point of view, as it is in this period that advertisements invade radio and the new arrival of television.
The United States becomes a model of prosperity and trust, as it develops very high levels of social well-being thanks to the best qualities of housing and telecommunications.
North Americans produce non-durable consumer goods. In Europe, the modernist style of the Bauhaus features a design aimed at the functionality of modern life and aims to manufacture durable goods.
Culture and Society in the 50s
Regarding the standard of beauty , the 50's is marked by squalid bodies, unlike that body of the previous decade - marked by the curves of Marilyn Monro e.
Now, the beauty standard to be achieved is that of Brigitte Bardot , until 1957. Note that the woman is increasingly independent, but in addition to being beautiful and well cared for, she also accumulates the role of housewife, wife and mother.
Photo by Brigitte Bardot
However, with the end of the post-war scarcity, beauty can be considered an important topic by the industry. So it was time to take care of your appearance in a sophisticated way. Unsurprisingly, it will be during the 50s, the haute couture and cosmetics industry will develop unprecedentedly. Hence, fashion schoolgirl, inspired by the sportswear look .
However, the highlight of this decade is the popularization of television. In Brazil, in September 1950, TV Tupi was inaugurated. , the first television channel in Latin America. The cinema, on the other hand, following the North American model, spreads the fashion of the rebellious boy, represented by James Dean; the most popular films are Cinderella (1950) and Peter Pan (1953).
Now, all the themes of the time stem from science fiction and space travel. Even American cars will be inspired by space technology (big, low and long, luxurious and comfortable), including the various home appliances created, such as the washing machine and the vacuum cleaner.
Insport , Uruguay is World Cup champion for the second time in Brazil, in 1950. In 1954, West Germany wins the World Trophy for the 1st time and, in 1958, it is the turn of the Brazilian team to win the title, in Sweden.
As forscientific advances , we can highlight the first organ transplant, in 1954; the development of the first polio vaccine in 1955.
In 1957, the launch of the spacecraft Sputnik I takes place, as well as the first living being in Earth orbit (the dog Laika) aboard Sputnik II.
Finally, it is in this decade that rock'n'roll in the United States. The worldwide repercussion was in the voices of singers like Elvis Presley , which began to be successful in 1956 and others, such as Chuck Berry , Chubby Checker and Bill Haley .
In Brazil, in addition to the introduction of the Rock movement, a unique style of music emerged:Bossa Nova, sung in the voices of Tom Jobim, Vinícius de Morais and João Gilberto.
Also read: MPB - Popular Brazilian Music
Politics in the 50s
Politics in the 1950s is marked by conflicts between the capitalist and socialist blocs. Examples are the Cold War (1947-1991), the Vietnam War (1955-1975) and, at the end of the decade, the Cuban Revolution (1959).
The space race is a true symbol of the tug of war between the United States and the then Soviet Union for leadership in space exploration.
In Brazil, we have the continuity of the developmentalism of Getúlio Vargas. The government of Juscelino Kubitschek (between 1956 and 1960) presents a Plan of Goals for the country's economic development, whose motto is "50 years in 5" .
Economics in the 50s
In the 1950s, the most important event on the economic front was the signing of the Treaty of Rome in 1957, which established the European Economic Community (EEC), forerunner of the European Union.
In Brazil, the outstanding event is the creation of the state-owned company Petrobras, in 1953, still in the Vargas period. It is also an era of search for foreign capital, when multinationals will spread their production chain around the world and throughout Brazil.
You might also be interested in The 60's and 70's.