What impact did television have on 1950's politics?

Answer 1

There are some who say that television had a negative impact on 1950s culture. They say it turned people in to passive consumers and ruined how people socialized. Families watching television together became a favorite activity in the 1950s. It was a free activity for everyone to enjoy.

Answer 2

Television had a large impact on the culture of the 1950's since many people started to have television sets in their homes. Media was beginning to have an influence on the culture as people were viewing ads and programs that had new music at the time.

Answer 3

Americans were now able to be more easily informed and aware of the politics in Washington. News broadcasts covered political activity, and campaign speechs by nominees were being broadcast, as well as political ads. The first presidential campaign to place ads on TV was that of Dwight D. Eisenhower, in 1952.

Answer 4

First, television was NOT an invention of the 1950s. It was available, if not widely (due to cost) in the UK and USA before WW2. However, it was one of the entertainments society began to enjoy after the war, ie the 50s.

Second, the sorts of innovations that took off after the war were called "labour saving devices", such a washing machines, mix masters (blenders), irons and toasters plus vacuum cleaners.

What happened to the female labour force that had had jobs during the war but had now lost those jobs to returning men? What were those women "supposed" to do?

The vision of the ideal life permeated popular culture. Back to the Future (the original) features some images of this.

TV began to influence public knowledge and public opinion the way Radio had during the war as the primary medium of communication.

Another key factor is the car -- as a status symbol, as a means of getting around (and therefore, urban design) and holidaying. Add the caravan as well?

Answer 5

Television brought politics into the living room. From the McCarthy hearings to presidential campaigning to to the political ads in presidential politics, everyone with a TV began to follow politics. An offshoot to TV was the rise to prominence of the political commentators, which such respected journalists as Walter Cronkite and Huntley-Brinkley explaining during the national campaigns how presidents and others were elected.