Homogenizing conformism characterized the 1950s. After the Great Depression of the 1930s and the end of World War II, war-weary Americans wanted stability and prosperity above all else. The exodus of middle-class citizens from cities, the growth of suburbs, the popularity of television, the Cold War, and communist paranoia all contributed to the overwhelming need to conform during this era. At times, however, growing social unrest threatened to betray this superficial veneer of normality and ultimately culminated in the beginnings of the civil rights movement and the rise of Beat culture. Although the decade of the 1950s was predominantly conformist, some aspects betrayed a fundamental rejection of this society that would continue in the following decades. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay The need for conformity pervaded nearly every aspect of American life. The Cold War sparked a deep and deep-rooted fear of a perceived communist threat. The duality of this conflict polarized the population and established an “us” versus “them” mentality. Mainly, Americans pursued consensus. Those who failed to follow, or differed in any way, from social norms were considered dangerous and a threat to society. Senator Joseph McCarthy's vehement political attacks on alleged communists, while mostly unfounded, fostered a cultural climate in which any evidence against capitalism was unacceptable and aberrations from "normal" society were communist-inspired. At the height of the Second Red Scare, Communist Party members Julius and Ethel Rosenberg were convicted of espionage and executed, although the evidence for their involvement in transmitting atomic secrets was weak at best (Linder). Even a hint of communism-related activity was cause for suspicion; many organizations, such as trade unions, received the reputation of communist fronts. Extensive press coverage that incited fear, combined with the threat of neighbors' gossip, at best, or their betrayal, at worst, forced many to comply. The Cold War spawned an era of paranoia that drove those who wished to integrate into mainstream life into conformity. The ubiquity of television and the increase in advertising have only strengthened this homogeneity. The media has exposed Americans to the same ideals and accepted the same social standards; Hollywood has portrayed typical citizens as middle-class suburban whites with distinct gender roles, as in Father Knows Best or Leave it to Beaver. Advertising agencies also supported the lifestyles and values ​​of white Americans, fueled by the consumerism of the decade. Legislation such as the Servicemen's Readjustment Act allowed veterans to purchase a home in the suburbs with no down payment, which caused many to move away from urban areas in search of cheaper property and better living conditions ("Suburbs"). Other laws, such as the Federal Aid Highway Act of 1956, allowed the construction of 40,000 miles of highways and further contributed to suburban expansion. However, wage earners continued to commute to the cities, and many were dissatisfied with the uniformity and bureaucracy of their work. Man in the Gray Flannel Suit by writer Sloan Wilson describes a man's disenchantment with the material culture and conformity of his workplace. However, strenuous efforts to establish a consensus belied the elements of.