To understand the history of America firstly you have to travel back before West Side Story to unravel the series of events. During the 1920's America was fairly young, and was a hub of transformation especially regarding mass production from the invention of the radio,chewing gum, to jazz. At a very technological time these formative years were definitely the year of development from Ford the car giant to colour TV. America hadn't yet started trading abroad and were 50% below the poverty line which was a huge struggle not to mention the total lack of equality not just in the South but everywhere with WASPS (White Anglo Saxon Protestants) controlling everything, times were tough but this was the start.
From 1939-1945 for America WW2 had begun and by 1945, American was out for primacy through a mixture of economy,power,technology,and weaponry which in being up and coming America had. American now had enough money to loan to Europe in the Marshall Plan of $16 billion dollars, as Britain,Russia, and Germany were all bankrupted from two world wars. America started to worm their way to the top through the medium of soft power which was a quick leap to dominance, like a virus spreading themselves quickly and efficiently, through branding KFC,APPLE,MCDONALDS and more were soon everywhere as much of the world became "Americanised". Popular Culture in the 50's can be captured in just a few words which speak volumes. "The Cold War", "Baby Boomers" , "Korea" , which contributed to overcrowding,less jobs and recession. This was the decade where people built Bomb Shelters, had babies and the news was filled with what the reds were doing or going to do. Another other important change was in how teenagers were perceived up until the 50's when teenagers were just children and were treated as such. As the future decades changed that was when teenagers became an important section of society when politicians and others had realised that teenagers would very quickly become voters and consumers and a new generation of pop stars including Elvis Presley.
Before WW2 the popular and talented people from the world were the Picasso's and Monet, and Ballet Russe, but as soon as America started its bid for primacy, The American Dream looked very fetching to everyone, which was endorsed by public figures such as Elvis.This is where countries like Russia come into play being communist trying to block out this American Dream and idolising of America. At this time politically America was a dangerous place to challenge authority following lots of assassinations and the WASPS. Eisenhower was the 34th President of the United States from 1953 until 1961. He was a five-star general in the United States Army during World War II and served as Supreme Commander of the Allied Forces in Europe, Eisenhower entered the 1952 presidential race as a Republican to crusade against "Communism, Korea and corruption". After Eisenhower,
John F Kennedy (JFK) was the next American President where such a contrast in leadership resulted in a culturally changed America as an American politician who served as the 35th President of the United States from January 1961 until his assassination in November 1963. significant events that occurred during his presidency included the Cuban Missile Crisis, the Space Race—by initiating Project Apollo, the building of the Berlin Wall, the African-American Civil Rights Movement. JFK was a catholic man, all for equal rights and equality for America which helped solidify the Civil Rights Movement, and the JFK Foundation which supported and funded projects from the "black and other overlooked races" giving them an opportunity to be free, and do what they love from art to dance and literacy skills. This was probably to the angered and frustrated the WASP's as the colonised nations of America spread the news about escaping colonialism, and hardship and the ability of being accepted slowly but surely. All this change was even more significant when Kennedy was assassinated in 1963 as part of a conspiracy.
How did the Puerto Rican's end up in America?
The answer is 'The Great Migration'. In 1917 the United States Congregation approved 'The Jones Act' permitting citizenship for Puerto Rican's wanting to live in America. By 1920 roughly 5'000 Puerto Rican's were living in the USA , but post war over 58'500 more had migrated. The migration was sparked by mainly economic factors as "The American Dream" was very prominent as the urge came for a fulfilment of a better life. The new use of air travel was also very handy as this meant that it was much quicker to get to America rather than the ferry which took days. Spanish Harlem/East Harlem were very popular places to settle for Puerto Rican's although with more than 4 people per apartment, poverty,racism, and discrimination Puerto Rican's still flocked in their huge families to fulfil a better life. After a successful yet difficult migration Puerto Rican's would move to populated places like the Bronx which was a city moving up the social ladder from poorer neighbour hoods due to the housing scheme which was introduced at the time.
As the Puerto Rican's arrived they were not met kindly by the New Yorkers which is shown throughout West Side Story, especially in the 'Prologue' where after a fight erupts Lieutenant Schrank and Officer Krupke arrive and break it up, the authority are definitely not very unwelcoming to the Puerto Rican's and this summarises how the Puerto Ricans are treated generally, he says “Get your friends out of here, Bernardo, and stay out!...Please! Boy, oh, boy…As if this neighbourhood wasn't crummy enough." In addition, the gang’s name (Sharks) is a metaphor for bloodthirsty fish with large teeth, also known as ugly filth, and menaces of the sea (or streets in this case). They are also treated as criminals because they are never given warnings but taken to jail right away if they “break the law”. Racism and discrimination were a daily struggle for Puerto Rican's let alone the language barrier, the Puerto Rican's were at the bottom of the chain.
There is no specific morale that one can gather from both stories on love and relationships. Both stories seek to portray the chaos and obstacles that surround passion and love.
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