The document provides context about key events and social issues in the United States during the 1850s and 1950s. In the 1850s, Abraham Lincoln's "House Divided" speech highlighted rising sectional tensions. Pro-slavery and abolitionist groups clashed over the issue of slavery. The women's rights movement also gained momentum during this period. In the 1950s, the country experienced an economic boom following World War 2. However, tensions remained over issues like racial segregation, communism, and the role of religion in society. Music helped connect youth across racial and cultural divides during this period.

2. What happened in the
1850’s?
•Lincoln makes
speech “A house
divided against itself
cannot stand”
•Ad in paper reads,
“Cheap wives for poor The atmosphere was not female and
deserving young African American friendly
men”

3. Societies beliefs were primitive to say the
least. For example, burying a person with
a shovel or pickaxe just in case they were
in a coma and not actually dead. Proof of
a underdeveloped country with potential
and a great imagination.

4. Pro-slavery and abolitionists groups
clashed while the women’s rights
movement was not to be ignored.
Sojourner Truth's "Ain't I A Woman?" given
at the 1851 Women's Rights convention in
Akron, added fuel to the fight.

5. Migration created a mixture of people and
a mixture of loyalty and customs were
created. Religion became a serious issue
which intertwined with politics causing
eyebrow raising and moral questioning.
VS

6. Immigration caused by unjust foreign
governments pushed 4.2 million immigrants
to enter the United States during the period
of Old Immigration (1840’s and 1850’s).
Hope for a better life and labor was
motivation enough. This motivation was
also the root of the
division/diversity of the
United States.

8. Immigration brought cultural and religious
differences. Islamic mosques, Buddhist
and Hindu temples are seen throughout
the country. In 2000, 800 Chinese Protestant
churches were counted in the United States.
We were and are divided by our loyalty to
whom and whatever we believed in. The Pledge
of Allegiance was a way to unite the divided
people. The plan was for the people to pledge there
allegiance to where they are now considered part of
the same nation, one nation under God. Was it a form
of conformity? Were we all considered part of this great
nation?

10. What does Nationalism mean?

11. Nationalism is a political ideology that involves a
strong identification of a group of individuals with a
political entity defined in national terms, i.e. a nation. In
the 'modernist' image of the nation, it is nationalism that
creates national identity. There are various definitions for
what constitutes a nation. It can be a belief that
citizenship in a state should be limited to one ethnic,
cultural, religious, or identity group, or that multi
nationality in a single state should necessarily comprise
the right to express and exercise national identity even
by minorities.

12. It can also include the belief that the
state is of primary importance, or the
belief that one state is naturally superior
to all other states. It is also used to
describe a movement to establish or
protect a 'homeland' (usually an
autonomous state) for an ethnic group.
In some cases the identification of a
national culture is combined with a
negative view of other races or cultures.

13. Conversely, nationalism might also be
portrayed as collective identities toward
imagined communities which are not
naturally expressed in language, race or
religion but rather socially constructed
by the very individuals that belong to a
given nation.

14. Nationalism is sometimes
reactionary, calling for a return to a
national past, and sometimes for the
expulsion of foreigners. Other forms of
nationalism are revolutionary, calling for
the establishment of an independent
state as a homeland for an ethnic
underclass.

15.  Nationalism emphasizes collective identity -
a 'people' must be autonomous, united,
and express a single national culture.[7]
Integral nationalism is a belief that a nation
is an organic unit, with a social hierarchy,
co-operation between the different social
classes and common political goals.
However, liberal nationalists stress
individualism as an important part of their
own national identity.

16. What is your definition of
Nationalism?

17. During the 1950’s communism and
capitalism was a heated conversation
piece. The Korean War (1950-1953) and
the launch of Sputnik 1 was not far from
mind. Let’s not forget the decolonization
of Africa and Asia, the attempted
assassination of Harry S. Truman, and racial
issues. Emotions ran high
during the 1950’s.

18. When the war ended a lot of the
servicemen made there way back to
America to create a new life, new
families and new jobs. They brought
back with them the potential to
“BOOM”. The industries were booming
with new material not available
during the war and the
babies were booming!

19. Important Historic and Cultural Events
1950 - Pres. Harry Truman ( 'til 1952) approves production
of the hydrogen bomb and sends air force and navy to
Korea in June.
1951 - Transcontinental television begins with a speech by
Pres. Truman.
1953 - 1961 Dwight D. Eisenhower is president.
1952 - The Immigration and Naturalization Act of 1952
removes racial and ethnic barriers to becoming a U.S.
citizen.
1953 - Julius and Ethel Rosenberg are electrocuted for
their part in W.W.II espionage.
1953 - Fighting ends in Korea.
1954 - U. S. Senator Joseph McCarthy begins televised
hearings into alleged Communists in the army.
1954 - Racial segregation is ruled unconstitutional in public
schools by the U.S. Supreme Court.

20. Conservatism and Anticommunism

21. With wars beginning and ending, natural
disasters like Hurricane Diane in 1955 that
devastated the northeastern United
States and Hurricane Audrey that beat
down Cameron, LA the people needed
to have something in common and that
was that they were apart of the same
great nation whom they should pledge
there allegiance to.

22. A plan to unify a country divided by race,
religion, politics and war was in need of a
transformation. The Pledge of Allegiance
was to bring people to common ground.
It was a plan to reduce the tension of just
how different we all are and to keep the
Nation from turning on itself.

23. Rock and Roll seemed to rule
the 50’s as far as cultural
connections. Music was not
black or white it was just music.
From Sam Cooke and Little
Richard to Elvis Presley to Jerry
Lee Lewis music seemed to
connect the youth. It still does.

24. To each his/her own. Immigration in
the 40’s prepared us for the different
religious groups. Perhaps one of the
things which most characterizes the
1950's was the strong element of
conservatism and anticommunist
feeling which ran throughout much of
society. One of the best indicators of
the conservative frame of mind was
the addition of the phrase "under
God” to the Pledge of Allegiance.
Religion was seen as an indicator of
anti-communism.

25.  A House bill that excludes parochial schools from education funding is rejected
by the Education and Labor Committee.
 In May, two Southern Baptist seminaries are recognized, one at Berkeley,
California, the other at Wake Forest, North Carolina.
 On May 22, the American Baptist Convention extends an invitation to all
organized Baptist Conventions (including Southern Baptists and two African-
American Conferences) to join the National Baptist Convention.
 The Supreme Court assumes the right to review cases of state interference in
religious freedom.
 The Supreme Court agrees to review the constitutional status of released-time
programs for religious study in public schools in New York City.
 Because of the fighting in Korea, American missionaries are no longer accepted
in China.
 Several Jewish synagogues are bombed in Miami, Florida.

26. Throughout the 1950s both
unemployment and inflation
remained low. At this time, though
the war was over, many women
kept their careers. This is evident by
the constant increase in the
female employment data
compiled in the Economic Report
of the President. From 1950 to 1959,
the total number of females
employed increased by 18%. The
standard of living during the fifties
also steadily rose. Most people
expected to own a car and a
house, and believed that life for
their children would be even
better.

27. Although the early development of our
nation did not encompass everyone, it was
the foundation for our laws and rights for
today. Diversity is alive and well and the
majority is slowly becoming the minority.
Under God we are all the same and a
nation of Humankind.