You 1950s became known as the “Golden years”. It's a decade of technological revolutions with obvious social implications, especially when we consider the communicational point of view, as it is during this period that advertisements invade the radio and the new arrival television.
The United States becomes a model of prosperity and confidence as it develops very high levels of social welfare thanks to the best quality of housing and telecommunications.
Americans produce non-durable consumer goods. In Europe, the modernist style of Bauhaus features a design focused on the functionality of modern life and aims to manufacture durable goods.
Culture and Society in the 50s
With regard to the beauty pattern, the 50s is marked by squalid bodies, unlike that of the previous decade - marked by the curves of marilynMonroand.
Now, the standard of beauty to be reached is that of Brigittebardot, until 1957. Note that the woman is increasingly independent, but in addition to being beautiful and well cared for, she still accumulates the functions of housewife, wife and mother.
Photo by Brigitte Bardot
Nevertheless, with the end of the post-war scarcity, beauty can be considered an important theme by the industry. So it was time to take care of her appearance in a sophisticated way. Unsurprisingly, it will be during the 50's, haute couture and the cosmetics industry will develop without precedent. Hence, the fashion high school, inspired by the look sportswear.
However, the highlight of this decade is the popularization of television. In Brazil, in September 1950, the Tupi TV, the first television channel in Latin America. Cinema, on the other hand, following the North American model, spreads the rebel boy fashion, represented by JamesDean; 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, short and long, luxurious and comfortable), including the various household appliances created, such as the washing machine and the vacuum of powder.
At the sport, Uruguay is World Soccer 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 for the scientific advances, we can highlight the first organ transplant, in 1954; the development of the first vaccine of polio, in 1955.
In 1957 the launch of the spacecraft Sputnik I takes place, as well as the first living being in Earth orbit (the bitch Laika) aboard the Sputnik II.
Finally, it is in this decade that the rock n Roll in the United States. The worldwide repercussion was in the voices of singers like Elvispresley, which began to be successful in 1956 and others, such as Chuck Berry, chubbychecker and billHaley.
In Brazil, in addition to the introduction of the Rock movement, a unique style of music emerges: Bossa Nova, sung in the voices of Tom Jobim, Vinícius de Morais and João Gilberto.
Read too: MPB - Brazilian Popular Music
Politics in the 1950s
Politics in the 1950s was marked by conflicts between the capitalist and socialist blocs. Examples are: a 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 their 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 Goals plan for the country's economic development, whose motto is "50years oldin5".
Economy in the 50s
In the 1950s, the most important economic event was the signing of the Treaty of Rome in 1957, according to which the European Economic Community (EEC), forerunner of the European Union.
In Brazil, the landmark event is the creation of the state 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 throughout the world and in Brazil.
You may also be interested in 60's and The 70's.
