Copyright © by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company Next Previous The Americans Chapter The Impact of the GI Bill a GI Bill of Rights eases veterans’ return to civilian life b. Pays partial tuition, unemployment benefits; provides loans A. Readjustment and Recovery I. Postwar America Continued… 2. Housing Crisis a. 10 million returning veterans face housing shortage b. Developers use assembly-line methods to mass-produce houses c. Build suburbs—small residential communities around cities

Copyright © by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company Next Previous The Americans Chapter Redefining the Family a. Tensions from changed gender roles during war increase divorce rate 4. Economic Readjustment a. Over 1 million defense workers laid off; wages drop for many workers b. Price controls end; 25% increase in cost of scarce consumer goods c. Congress reestablishes price, wage, rent controls 5. Remarkable Recovery a. People have savings, service pay, war bonds; buy goods long missed b. Cold War keeps defense spending up; foreign aid creates markets

Copyright © by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company Next Previous The Americans Chapter President Truman’s Inheritance a. Harry S. Truman can make difficult decisions, take responsibility 2. Truman Faces Strikes a. 1946, higher prices, lower wages lead 4.5 million to strike b. Truman seizes mines, threatens to take over railroads c. Threatens to draft workers; unions give in Section 1 B. Meeting Economic Challenges 3. “Had Enough?” a. Republicans win Senate, House; ignore Truman’s domestic policy b. Congress passes Taft-Hartley Act, overturns many union rights

Copyright © by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company Next Previous The Americans Chapter 27 Section 1 C. Social Unrest Persists 1. Truman Supports Civil Rights a. African Americans, especially veterans, demand rights as citizens b. Think measures violate respect for personal rights, property — integrates armed forces; ends discrimination in government hiring Continued… 2. The 1948 Election a. Southern Democrats—Dixiecrats—protest civil rights, form own party b. Truman calls special session; asks Congress for social legislation c. Congress refuses; Truman goes on “whistlestop campaign”

Copyright © by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company Next Previous The Americans Chapter Stunning Upset a. Truman defeats Thomas E. Dewey in close political upset b. Democrats regain control of Congress, lose some Southern states Section 1 Continued… 4. The Fair Deal a. Truman’s Fair Deal is ambitious economic program, includes: — higher minimum wage, flood control projects, low-income housing b. Congress passes parts of Fair Deal

Copyright © by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company Next Previous The Americans Chapter 27 Section 1 D. Republicans Take the Middle Road 1. I Like Ike! a. Truman’s approval rating drops over Korean War, McCarthyism — decides not to run for reelection b. Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower runs against IL governor Adlai Stevenson c. Newspapers accuse VP candidate Richard M. Nixon of corruption — defends self in televised “Checkers speech” d. Eisenhower wins; Republicans narrowly take Congress Continued…

Copyright © by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company Next Previous The Americans Chapter 27 Section 1 2. Walking the Middle of the Road a. Eisenhower conservative about money, liberal on social issues b. Ike tries to avoid civil rights movement, which is gaining strength c. On economy, works for balanced budget, tax cut d. Pushes social legislation, new Dept. of Health, Education, Welfare e. Popularity soars; is reelected in 1956

Copyright © by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company Next Previous The Americans Chapter Employment in the U.S. a. By 1956, majority of Americans not in blue-collar (industrial) jobs b. More in higher-paying, white-collar (office, professional) positions c. Many in services, like sales, advertising, insurance, communications A. The Organization and the Organization Man II. The American Dream in the Fifties 2. Conglomerates a. Conglomerates—corporation that owns smaller, unrelated companies b. Diversify to protect from downturns in individual industries Continued…

Copyright © by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company Next Previous The Americans Chapter Franchises a. Franchise—company offers similar products, services in many places — also the right to use company name and system b. Fast-food restaurants among first, most successful franchises Section 2 4. Social Conformity a. Many employees with well-paid, secure jobs lose individuality b. Personality tests see if job candidates fit in company culture c. Companies reward teamwork, loyalty, encourage conformity

Copyright © by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company Next Previous The Americans Chapter 27 Section-2 1. The Baby Boom a. 1950s, 85% of new homes built in suburbs b. 1945–1965 baby boom—soaring birth rate after soldiers return B. The Suburban Lifestyle 2. Advances in Medicine and Childcare a. New drugs fight, prevent childhood diseases b. Dr. Jonas Salk develops vaccine for poliomyelitis c. Pediatrician Dr. Benjamin Spock writes popular guide for parents d. Baby boom impacts economy, educational system Continued…

Copyright © by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company Next Previous The Americans Chapter Women’s Roles a. Magazines, TV, movies glorify role of homemaker, mother b. Over 1/5 of suburban wives dissatisfied with their lives c. 1960, 40% mothers work; limited opportunities, less pay than men Section-2 4. Leisure in the Fifties a. Shorter work week, paid vacation, labor-saving devices free up time b. People have time for recreational activities, spectator sports c. Book, magazine, comic book sales climb rapidly

Copyright © by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company Next Previous The Americans Chapter 27 Section-2 2. The Interstate Highway System a. Local, state roads link cities, suburbs to schools, shops, work b. Interstate Highway Act—nationwide highway network unites country c. Highways enable long-haul trucking, new towns, family vacations d. Towns near highways prosper; those near older, smaller roads decline C. The Automobile Culture 1. Automania a. Cheap, plentiful gas, easy credit, advertising increase car sales b. No public transit in suburbs; cars necessary Continued…

Copyright © by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company Next Previous The Americans Chapter 27 Section-2 3. Mobility Takes Its Toll a. Auto boom stimulates new businesses—e.g. drive-in movies b. Cars create social, environmental problems—e.g. accidents, pollution c. Upper-, middle-class whites leave cities; jobs, businesses follow d. Economic gulf widens between suburban and urban — also widens gap between middle class and the poor

Copyright © by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company Next Previous The Americans Chapter 27 Section-2 2. Planned Obsolescence a. Planned obsolescence—making products that get outdated, wear out — makes consumers buy or want to buy new ones D. Consumerism Unbound 1. New Products a. 60% of Americans in middle class; twice as many as before WW II b. Consumerism (buying material goods) equated with success c. Numerous new products appear on market in response to demand Continued…

Copyright © by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company Next Previous The Americans Chapter 27 Section-2 4. The Advertising Age a. Most people have satisfied basic needs; ads encourage extra spending b. Psychological appeals in ads lure consumers to particular products c. Ads appear in all media; television emerges as powerful new tool 3. Buy Now, Pay Later a. Credit purchases, credit cards, installments extend payment period b. Private debt grows; consumers confident of future prosperity

Copyright © by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company Next Previous The Americans Chapter The Rise of Television a. Mass media—means of communication that reach large audiences b. TV first widely available 1948; in almost 90% of homes in 1960 c. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) regulates communications d. By 1956, FCC allows 500 stations to broadcast e. Programs: comedies, news, dramas, variety shows, children’s shows f. Lifestyle changes: TV Guide is popular magazine; TV dinners A. New Era of the Mass Media Section-3 III. Popular Culture Continued…

Copyright © by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company Next Previous The Americans Chapter 27 Section-3 2. Stereotypes and Gunslingers a. Women, minorities on TV are stereotypes; few blacks, Latinos b. Westerns glorify historical frontier conflicts c. Raise concerns about effect of violence on children 3. Radio and Movies a. Television cuts into radio, movie markets b. Radio turns to local news, weather, music, community affairs c. Movies capitalize on size, color, sound advantages; try gimmicks

Copyright © by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company Next Previous The Americans Chapter 27 Section-3 1. The Beat Movement a. Beat movement—writers, artists express social, literary nonconformity b. Poets, writers use free, open form; read works aloud in coffeehouses c. Beatnik attitudes, way of life attract media attention, students B. A Subculture Emerges

Copyright © by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company Next Previous The Americans Chapter 27 Section-3 C. African Americans and Rock ‘n’ Roll 1. Rock ‘n’ Roll a. Black musicians add electric instruments to blues—rhythm and blues b. Rock ‘n’ roll—mix of rhythm and blues, country, pop c. Has heavy rhythm, simple melodies, lyrics about teenage concerns d. Music appeals to newly affluent teens who can buy records e. Many adults concerned music will lead to delinquency, immorality Continued…

Copyright © by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company Next Previous The Americans Chapter 27 Section-3 2. The Racial Gap a. African-American singers like Nat “King” Cole, Lena Horne popular b. Many black artists play jazz, music characterized by improvisation c. African-American shows mostly broadcast on black radio stations — content, advertising target black audiences d. Important to black audiences with fewer TV sets, no presence on TV

Copyright © by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company Next Previous The Americans Chapter White Flight a. 1962, 25% of Americans below poverty level b. Post WW II–1960, 5 million blacks go from rural South to urban North c. White flight results in loss of businesses, tax payers to cities d. Cities can no longer afford to maintain or improve: — schools, public transportation, police and fire departments A. The Urban Poor Section-4 IV. The Other America Continued…

Copyright © by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company Next Previous The Americans Chapter 27 Section-4 2. The Inner Cities a. Poverty grows rapidly in decaying inner cities b. Poor economic conditions lead to illness and terrible conditions 3. Urban Renewal a. Urban renewal—replace rundown buildings with new low-income housing b. Housing and Urban Development Dept. created to improve conditions c. Not enough housing built for displaced people

Copyright © by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company Next Previous The Americans Chapter Mexicans Seek Employment a. Many Southwest Mexicans become U.S. citizens after Mexican War b. 1942–47, Mexican braceros, hired hands, allowed into U.S. to work c. After war, many remain illegally; many others enter to look for work Section-4 2. The Longoria Incident a. Undertaker refuses funeral services to Felix Longoria, WW II veteran b. Outraged Mexican-American veterans organize G.I. Forum c. Unity League of CA registers voters, promotes responsive candidates B. Poverty Leads to Activism Continued…

Copyright © by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company Next Previous The Americans Chapter Native Americans Continue their Struggle a. During Depression, U.S. policy of Native American autonomy b. National Congress of American Indians: civil rights, maintain customs c. U.S. stops family allotments, wages; outsiders take tribal lands Section-4 4. The Termination Policy a. Termination policy cuts economic support, gives land to individuals b. Bureau of Indian Affairs helps resettlement in cities c. Termination policy is a failure; abandoned in 1963