THE FIRST MODERN DECADE

The 1950’s

The Growth of a Nation

Under the leadership of Joey Smallwood, Newfoundland joins confederation

It is the last province to join Canada

1949, Canada’s borders grow to their current size

1950s Economy

Very similar to the 1920s

Post-war economic boom

Massive increases in Immigration because of so many jobs

Mostly construction and manufacturing work

Canada and the USA

Canada and the USA develop a tight friendship during WWII

We join NATO and NORAD with the USA

US invests billions of dollars in the Canadian Economy and becomes our largest trading partner

US money helps build and modernize the Canadian economy

However, the USA develops great influence over Canada because the control thousands of jobs

Canada becomes a “Branch Plant” economy

The Baby Boom

Good jobs and lonely soldiers creates an immense amount of children in the 50’s.

Massive increases in population

Education across Canada is expanded to make room for all the kids

The Baby Boom generation is the largest age group in Canada and have made a special impact on Canadian society.

For example, retirement planning and health care are huge issues in Canada because the baby boomers are reaching their 60s and 70s

1950s Culture

Television invented – newest and most popular form of entertainment

Cars benefited from WWII technology – far more reliable and powerful

The Car became the symbol of the 50s and the ultimate status symbol – in the 50s everything was done in cars

Cities expanded as the first Subdivisions were builtFast food chains were first developedRock and Roll Music exploded in the 50s – adapted from

“Rhythm and Blues” It was loved by kids and hated by adults – considered devil

musicElvis Presley was the “King of Rock and Roll” Canadian Paul Anka was the first teenage heart throb.

The Teenager

The 1950s saw the introduction of mandatory high school

In the past, teenagers were expected act like adults - most people were married and had full time jobs in their late teens and early 20s.

Now, teenagers stayed in school and could still act like kids

Teens had money and extra time – they rebelled against society and developed their own sub-culture (music, fashion, language and value system)

The beginning of the generation gap as parents and children could not understand each other

Key Points

Newfoundland joins CanadaEconomic boom in the 50sCanada becomes a “branch plant” of the USABaby Boom generation in bornFirst subdivisions are created50s culture – TVs, Cars, Fast Food, Rock and

RollModern teenagers are created because of

mandatory high school