SC+P1+2013+New+Orleans+1940-+1950

AIM- Nick Horn

During the 1940’s through the 50’s New Orleans was growing because the second world war was just ending and soldier were flooding back to the states looking for work. Life was great for a white male however the story is not the same for an African- American. After much research about the history from the 1950’s, Blake Pontchartrain said, “Law segregated the city, schools and public buildings were separated by race” (Pontchartrain). Segregation was not only in New Orleans but for African Americans New Orleans was ideal at the time because it was more of an Urban Community. When describing the diversity of New Orleans, author Peirce F. Lewis said, “Likewise African-Americans were not the only ones to relocate to New Orleans, immigrants were everywhere in the city making the city extremely diverse” (Lewis). Because of all the diversity, New Orleans already stood out and the city wanted to make a bang. By the 1950’s the goal for the city was to grow, change and be bountiful for its citizens. Likewise change was a major component for the growth of the city as it is for any city trying to expand. For example moving away from street cars to more cost effective buses. New Orleans was a bustling city, filled with culture and heritage stretching and growing, reaching for a better life.

Pontchartrain, Blake. "What Was Life like in New Orleans in the

1950s? ." //Gambit//. N.p., n.d. Web. 29 Apr. 2013.

Lewis, Peirce F., //New Orleans: The Making of an Urban Landscape// (NM: University of

Virginia Press, 2003), 45, 62-70.

AUDIENCE: Lauren Lamm

During this time, New Orleans was experiencing a new wave of immigration. The places that immigrants settled were dictated by shifting physical and social geographies and the unique qualities of New Orleans. People looked for the best places that were available, affordable and that were near jobs. New Orleans mirrored national trends of urbanization and also strayed from them. It expanded, it filled with immigrants, and it experienced clumped settling patterns. Although people tended to gravitate towards others of their same ethnicity, New Orleans was unique in that it remained very intermixed and multicultural. Its reputation of being more accepting and diverse drew immigrants in and made New Orleans one of the oldest multicultural cities in the nation.

"History Engine: Tools for Collaborative Education and Research | Episodes."//Historyengine.richmond.edu//. N.p., 2007. Web. 30 Apr. 2013.

"African Americans in New Orleans: Making a Living." //African Americans in New Orleans: Making a Living//. N.p., n.d. Web. 30 Apr. 2013.

CULTURAL: Alyssa Kruszewski

During the 1940s, New Orleans was a popular spot for immigrants to settle. There were immigrants from all over Europe along with some from Africa. New Orleans was a place that was affordable for those new to the country and also provided jobs to help them to get started in this new place. It was an appealing place to those looking for new start. All of the immigrants shared different customs and traditions that they brought into the New Orleans area. As a result of this, it created a culture where all of these lifestyles became combined because they “melted” together in a way. It “welcomed people from many different countries, races, and religions, all hoping to find freedom, new opportunities, and a better way of life” (Cultural Savvy). The immigrants and new customs created in the New Orleans area played into the “melting pot” custom which explains the melting of new customs between immigrants.

"Culturalsavvy.com | Understanding American Culture - From Melting Pot to SalaD Bowl." //Culturalsavvy.com | Understanding American Culture - From Melting Pot to Salad Bowl//. N.p., 1999. Web. 30 Apr. 2013.

"History Engine: Tools for Collaborative Education and Research | Episodes." //History Engine: Tools for Collaborative Education and Research | Episodes//. N.p., n.d. Web. 30 Apr. 2013.

HISTORICAL: Cortney Williams

The history of New Orleans from 1940-1950 was centered around jazz music. There were many jazz clubs that were opened in the public. Only men played in these clubs around this time. Immigration was also a big thing around this time. “It did not matter whether they were white or black, men would come together to make good music” (New Orleans Jazz Clubs). Later in history these jazz places were sold to boutiques and disco clubs. Whoever was able to play in these jazz clubs were very lucky.

"New Orleans Jazz Clubs of the 1940's - 1950's." New Orleans Jazz Clubs of the 1940's - 1950's. N.p., 1997. Web. 30 Apr. 2013.