Chapter 19 Section 4 Notes The “Other” America

Poverty in the 1950s 1 out of 4 people lived below poverty level Most from urban areas single moms Children Minorities Rarely saw any of this reported by media

The Govt. Begins to Respond National Housing Act of 1949 Goal = tear down old, run – down housing, replace with new (+) Govt. built about a million units of housing in cities Provide loans to people who qualify (-) Much of land torn down used for commercial or industrial purposes (-) Low income people can’t afford new housing had nowhere to go, turn to shelters Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Cabinet position created to improve inner cities

What made the problem worse? White Flight White middle class moves from cities to suburbs Nicer homes, better technology Better cars with roads make this possible Self segregate children from blacks in school Direct impact on cities Less tax $ for governments From housing and businesses Results in lower quality services Cities begin falling apart faster

Death of an American City Detroit Death of an American City To run down abandoned houses From a bustling metropolis

In 1950, Detroit’s population was close to 2 million people. The comparison on the left was taken from around 2000. Nowadays, Detroit’s population is less than 650,000 people The sq. mile area of Detroit is still the same. How can the city government maintain that much area with that many less people paying for the maintenance? Who knows… maybe Detroit will experience a Renaissance? I don’t see it happening given its current size.

Poverty in Cities Leads to Activism Minorities begin to speak out about poor conditions Combines with Civil Rights Movement More in Chp 21.

Mexican – Americans in the 1940s and 1950s Many come into U.S. as Braceros Migrant farm workers. Enter during WWII We needed help with crops! Expected to leave after the war Some didn’t do this Others enter illegally due to poor conditions in Mexico. Suffered discrimination Higher rates of poverty The Longoria Incident WWII hero killed in action (1945) Body wasn’t returned to family for 4 years Funeral home in small TX town wouldn’t provide services due to his race GI Forum Formed to bring attention to this injustice Worked with TX Senator (LBJ) Unsuccessful Got Buried in Wash DC instead Did get Hispanic Veterans = Treatment over time Unity League Founded by Ignacio Lopez Forms in California to get Hispanics equality in society Encourages Political Participation

Native – Americans in the 1940s and 1950s Many Serve in WWII with honor Termination Policy Become full citizens Pay taxes Recognize all laws Tribal govts lose power Ending federal economic support for Native Americans No more reservations Land went to each family Result Mostly a Failure Want to stay in tribes! Some find work in cities with govt. help Discriminated against Don’t have training to do “white man’s work” Reservations back by mid 1960s Native Tribes begin to be very active in influencing govt (more in chpt 23)