The 1950s were a decade marked by the post-World War II boom, the dawn of the Cold War and the Civil Rights movement in the United States. The United States was the world’s strongest military power. Its economy was booming, and the fruits of this prosperity–new cars, suburban houses and other consumer goods–were available to more people than ever before.
While the white working class saw their wages and status improve, blacks were largely excluded from the prosperity of the 1950s. Segregation in housing and education made for some serious inequality for African Americans.
A growing group of Americans spoke out against inequality and injustice during the 1950s. African Americans had been fighting against racial discrimination for centuries; during the 1950s, however, the struggle against racism and segregation entered the mainstream of American life.
These amazing color photos were found by Vieilles Annonces that show what life of African-Americans looked like in the 1950s.
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| Some girls just can't leave those cheerleading days behind |
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| Frolicking in the park |
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| Ain't love grand |
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| All the good magazines like Seventeen and Ebony |
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| And Baby Makes Three |
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| C'mon, don't be shy, let's jitterbug |
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| Christmastime is here |
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| Do you have to have your hand behind you while cutting the cake |
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| Everyone's welcome when taking pictures |
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| Getting a glimpse at the gifts |
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| Hate to mention that the crowd looks skeptical |
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| Having fun at the park |
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| Having seconds or is it thirds |
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| Here comes the bride |
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| I don't know honey, I sort of prefer the dog |
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| I hate being photographed |
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| I love the landline telephone cord in the corner |
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| In deep concentration during Thanksgiving dinner |
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| Kids being kids at the kids' table during Thanksgiving dinner |
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| Man, I take a little nap, and mommy hands me off to just anybody |
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| Moments at Thanksgiving |
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| Mother holding her kid |
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| Papaw's little peach |
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| Relaxing on the couch |
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| Relaxing on the couch |
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| Scenes from Christmas dinner |
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| Scenes from the wedding |
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| Stop playing photographer so we can eat |
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| The blissful bride and groom |
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| The ever present car shot |
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| The first lady looks oh so enthused |
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| The important part of Thanksgiving dinner |
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| The newlyweds and the bride's parents |
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| The party begins when the hooch flows |
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| The relatives |
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| The remnants of the Christmas dinner |
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| There's the money shot |
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| Those crazy teens, they prefer the dog too |
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| Your jokes are so stupid I need a drink to laugh |