8. American Character/Popular Culture
THE AMERICAN CHARACTER
LEISURE, POPULAR CULTURE AND THE ARTS
In this unit, you will review 19th and 20th century U.S. History by trying to define the American character: what it is and how has it changed over time. How did popular culture figures as well as politicians define themselves in a way that helped define us as a country?
In each time period, people were caught between the roots of tradition and the wings of modernity. Those who supported individualism, freedom and independence contested people who held traditional family and community values. Traditionalists saw peer entertainment in dance halls and amusement parks, people living outside of families, and new fashions and morality as tearing at the fabric of what makes us American. Modernists moved away from communal values and placed more stock in materialism, new consumer products, and individualism. By the 1950s and 60s, non-conformity becomes part of modern ideal as well.
We will also be reviewing for the A.P. exam.
READINGS: Test on April 29 including Cold War and Vietnam
4/23 Earth Day
The AP Exam multiple choice Review 2006 exam Read article “Four Views on the End of the Cold War,” and answer the question What ended the Cold War?
4/24 End of the Cold War
4/25 Iraq and Afghanistan
4/26 Test on Diplomacy and war1945 to present – multiple choice The Age of the City, 483-93; urbanization – urban landscape; wealthy housing; poor housing; transportation; skyscraper; urban poverty; crime; fear of city; machine and the boss;
4/27
Strains of Urban Life, Rise of Mass Consumption, Leisure in Consumer Society, 493-505; mass consumption – chain stores, mail order; dept stores; pop culture – Coney Island; spectator sports; music; George M. Cohan; movies; mass communication
4/28-9 High Culture in the Urban Age, 505-13, Chap 24, The New Era (1920s) The New Economy, The New Culture, 627-638
4/30 economics; 20s culture, consumerism; advertising; movies; women; disenchanted; conflict of culture, A Conflict of Cultures, 639-647
5/1 The Affluent Society, The Economic Miracle, The Explosion of Science and Technology, 779-89
5/2 People of Plenty 789-99
5/3 “The Crisis of Authority,” Youth Culture,842-852;
5/4 The New Feminism, Environmentalism in a turbulent society, 852-60 A changing society, Contested Culture 929-41
5/7 DBQ and multiple choice
5/8 review
5/3 review
5/2 Review
5/4 Review
5/11 AP EXAM 7:30 – 12
“Was Eisenhower a Do-Nothing President,” 181-7; “Has Excessive Violence Characterized . . .” 239-42; and
“American Character in the Nuclear Age,” 263-5;
You may prepare an outline for each of the following questions for the test on May 4 and bring them to the test. I will choose one of the questions for you to write. There will also be a multiple-choice portion to the test.
1. The 1890s were a period of tension between new and changing attitudes on the one hand and traditional values and nostalgia on the other. What led to the tension between old and new AND in what ways was the tension manifested? (1986)
2. The 1920’s were periods of tension between new and changing attitudes on the one hand and traditional values and nostalgia on the other. What led to the tension between old and new AND in what ways was the tension manifested? (1986)
3. Compare and contrast United States society in the 1920s and the 1950s with respect to TWO of the following: race relations, role of women, consumerism.
5/11 AP US History Exam, 7:30-11
I will hold review sessions after school on the following days for about 45 minutes each day:
Monday, April 23 your questions
Tuesday, April 24 your questions
Thursday, April 26 The economy
Mon, April 30 your questions
Tues, May 1 your questions
Thurs, May 5 laws and Supreme Court Cases -
Monday May 7 your questions
