The documents in section 27 express views on a number of issues such as McCarthyism, President Eisenhower’s fears, as well as the growing conformity in America. However, each contains some criticism of a postwar American society. Overall, the issues that were addressed in these documents support the idea that the 1950s was an era of consensus and conformity.

There were points of criticism made on the issues displayed in each document. For example, in President Eisenhower’s farewell address, he announced his fear of the military industry becoming too powerful in the United States. This could be traced back as a result of the Cold War, because it had caused the growing need for military supplies from the industry. Another issue that provides criticism of a postwar American society is McCarthyism. In Joseph McCarthy’s speech in 1950, he brought up the idea of communist threats within America’s State Department. He tried to make citizens believe his ideas by using unsupported accusations. The documents also support the idea that the 1950s was an era of conformity and consensus. Take for example the song “Little Boxes”. The song suggests that the middle class, such as schools and home builders, has been molding the American society into conformity. The song gives evidence by saying “the people in the houses all went to the university…and they came out all the same” (Doc D 592).

The documents in this chapter display some of the major issues and views of the 1950s. It includes the ideas of McCarthyism, President Eisenhower’s fear of the military industry complex, and the growing conformity in America caused by the middle class. Each document expressed some criticism of a post war society in America, as well as suggested that the 1950s was an era in which conformity was growing in America.

Work Cited: Newman, John. U.S. History: AP. Amsco, N.Y. 2007