■ COMPARATIVE QUESTIONS ■

1. Question

   Both Kefauver and Goodman diagnosed the problem of youth in the 1950s. How do their assessments compare? Do they define the problem in similar or dissimilar ways? How do you account for the differences you see?

2. Question

   To what extent would the teenage culture highlighted by the soda fountain photograph have confirmed Goodman’s general criticism about contemporary consumer culture? What similarities do you see between Goodman and Graham in their critiques of modern America?

3. Question

   Based on your analysis and evaluation of the historical evidence presented in this chapter, what conclusion could you make about the significance of middle-class values to Cold War America?

4. Question

   Explain and evaluate the 1950s and the 1920s as two eras of cultural conservatism. To what degree do you see these periods as conservative? What apparent social norms lead you to this conclusion?

5. Question

   Compare Cold War evangelicalism with earlier periods of religious enthusiasm by identifying similarities and differences in the perspectives of Graham, Billy Sunday (Document 22-4), and W. B. Riley (Document P7-4). Did these three evangelists identify a common foe to American religiosity? If so, what was it?