Explaining the 1950s

In this episode of History 102, 'WhatIfAltHist' creator Rudyard Lynch and co-host Austin Padgett analyze the 1950s challenges common narratives, exploring how post-WWII trauma, technological advancement, and social transformation shaped modern Western society. Through detailed historical analysis, they deconstruct popular misconceptions about the era's conservatism, examining its complex relationship with materialism, bureaucracy, and cultural change. -- 📰 Be notified early when Turpentine's drops new publication: https://www.turpentine.co/exclusiveaccess -- SPONSOR: NETSUITE | SHOPIFY | ORACLE More than 40,000 businesses have already upgraded to NetSuite by Oracle, the #1 cloud financial system bringing accounting, financial management, inventory, HR, into ONE proven platform. If you're looking for an ERP platform, get a one-of-a-kind flexible financing program on NetSuite: https://netsuite.com/zen - Download your free CFO's guide to AI and machine learning. Shopify is the world's leading e-commerce platform, offering a market-leading checkout system Shoppay and exclusive AI apps. Nobody does selling better than Shopify. Get a $1 per month trial at https://shopify.com/momentofzen Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI): Oracle's next-generation cloud platform delivers blazing-fast AI and ML performance with 50% less for compute and 80% less for outbound networking compared to other cloud providers. OCI powers industry leaders like Vodafone and Thomson Reuters with secure infrastructure and application development capabilities. New U.S. customers can get their cloud bill cut in half by switching to OCI before March 31, 2024 at https://oracle.com/cognitive -- RECOMMENDED PODCAST: Second Opinion Join Christina Farr, Ash Zenooz and Luba Greenwood as they bring influential entrepreneurs, experts and investors into the ring for candid conversations at the frontlines of healthcare and digital health every week. Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0A8NwQE976s32zdBbZw6bv Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/second-opinion-with-christina-farr-ash-zenooz-md-luba/id1759267211 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SecondOpinionwithChristinaFarr -- FOLLOW ON X: @whatifalthist (Rudyard) @LudwigNverMises (Austin) @TurpentineMedia -- HIGHLIGHTS: Post-WWII Society & Psychology The 1950s represented profound psychological changes after WWII trauma The WWII generation coddled their children (the boomers) to shield them from hardship Society had unprecedented prosperity but underlying nihilism Nuclear warfare anxiety significantly shaped the era's mindset Government & Institution Changes Massive expansion of state power and bureaucracy Creation of key federal institutions (FBI, CIA) High tax rates (90% top rate, though with many loopholes) Shift in executive branch power due to nuclear age requirements Cultural Identity Not as traditionally conservative as commonly portrayed More materialistic and state-oriented than previous eras Marked the beginning of "blue pill" era - a society based on platitudes Women's roles were uniquely constrained compared to previous eras Global Context America became the dominant global cultural force Western Europe's decline as a cultural power Formation of the European Union under American influence Beginning of decolonization movements Social Structure Highest standard of living in human history to that point Strong social mobility and relative equality Unprecedented urban population shift Cultural standardization through television and mass media Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices