The 50's

Politics

Korean War (1950–1953) – The war, which lasted from June 25, 1950 until the signing of the Korea Armistice Agreement on July 27, 1953, started as a civil war between North Korea and the Republic of Korea (South Korea). When it began, North and South Korea existed as provisional governments competing for control over the Korean peninsula, due to the division of Korea by outside powers. While originally a civil war, it quickly escalated into a war between the western powers under the United Nations Command led by the United States and its allies and the communist powers of the People's Republic of China and the Soviet Union. The North Korean army collapsed, and within a few days, MacArthur's army retook Seoul (South Korea's capital). He then pushed north, capturing Pyongyang in October. Chinese intervention the following month drove UN forces south again.

Music

The American folk music revival became a phenomenon in the United States in the 1950s to mid-1960s with the initial success of the Weavers who popularized the genre. Their sound, and their broad repertoire of traditional folk material and topical songs inspired other groups such as the Kingston Trio, the Chad Mitchell Trio, The New Christy Minstrels, and the "collegiate folk" groups such as The Brothers Four, The Four Freshmen, The Four Preps, and The Highwaymen. All featured tight vocal harmonies and a repertoire at least initially rooted in folk music and topical songs.

Cinema

The Thing from Another World (1951)

The first SciFi horror movie about an alien spacecraft discovered buried in the Arctic. After recovering the occupant the arctic base is victim to The Thing's terror. The film reveals only glimpses of The Thing riveting audiences in suspense. Directed by Howard Hawks and Christian Nyby released through RKO Radio Pictures Inc. "The Thing" is a precursor to "Alien" and future SciFi horror movies.

Society

The 1950's were a time of revolution for the social culture of the United States. Certain ideals and stereotypes were  dropped as well as the introduction of new forms of Art and Expression. Rock Music came into popularity with the new artists of the time and Technology surfaced to become a part of American Culture.

Teenagers started their own culteral and social category among American Citizens. Eager to excercise their freedom and values, they would test the boundaries of sexuality and consumerism. The explosive economy of the 1950's gave way for the Teenagers of the 1950's to spend like no other generation before it. Teenagers began to flout authroity and challenge the social environment. They were not trusted by the majority of their parents who believed they had it "easy" after the war.