Postwar America, 1946-1960 Subtitle

I. The Great Compression

The Great Compression describes . . . The downward redistribution of wealth in America Wealth was more evenly distributed The rich got “poorer,” the working class got “richer” Starts during the New Deal (1933) Begins to reverse in the 1970s

Downward redistribution of wealth made possible by . . . World War II Strong Unions Immigration policies Government taxing and spending policies

The G.I. Bill, 1944 The Servicemen’s Readjustment Act A government program that provided veterans with low-interest mortgages, loans to start businesses, and/or money for college tuition. It contributed to the downward redistribution of wealth and revolutionized higher education in America.

The first “middle-class” nation in history 1955 -- 60% of Americans were “middle class” 1946 -- average American earns $1,262 annually $653 – Great Britain $45 – India US produced 50% of the world’s goods White collar workers outnumber blue collar workers Standard work week -- 5 days Fewer people were self-employed More people worked for organizations w/500+ employees

Conformity and consumption Men & women observed strict gender roles Ideal woman – housewife and mother Conformity encouraged people to consume Shopping as a recreational activity Politicians are packaged and “sold” From citizens to consumers Americans borrowed a lot and save very little Diners Club (1950)

Prosperity of the 1950s was widespread ALL social classes enjoyed an improved living standard of living Working class families could afford houses, vacations, cars, etc. . . . Average kid could hope to go to college

II. The Baby Boom

Between 1945-1960, US population grew by about 40 million Significant increase in the birth rate Large families were back in style 1965 -- ½ of all Americans were 25 years old or younger Created a great demand for a wide array of goods and services

III. The Suburbs

By 1970, most Americans lived in the suburbs William and Alfred Levitt Homebuilders Levittown on Long Island– 1947 Small, affordable house Constructing entire towns

Americans on the move Northeast -- most densely populated People moving to the “Sunbelt” Home air conditioning Jobs in defense and aerospace New highways provide access

Car culture Car ownership by families 1947 = 54% 1960 = 77% 1970 = 82% The automobile fundamentally changed America

The Interstate Highway System, 1956 The National System of Interstate & Defense Highways Act The most important piece of domestic legislation passed in the 1950s The largest public works project during Eisenhower’s presidency Urban sprawl White flight Urban decay Black cities, white suburbs

IV. Popular Culture

Some pop culture was conformist and conservative Television 1946 – 7,000 1960 – 50 million Transforms social & cultural life Religion – increased church membership 1940 – 64 million 1960 – 114 million 1954 “Under God” to the Pledge of Allegiance 1956 – “In God We Trust” official national motto

Some pop culture challenges conformity Anti-hero movie stars James Dean Marlon Brando Rock and Roll Elvis Presley Chuck Berry Beat poets Jack Kerouac Cultural critics

V. Domestic Politics

The Liberal Consensus A bipartisan acceptance of . . . 1. Keynesian economics 2. Harmony between labor & management 3. New Deal social welfare programs 4. Containment The End of Ideology? The Judeo-Christian Heritage

Republican President Dwight Eisenhower, 1953-1961 “A conservative when it comes to money matters and a liberal when it comes to human beings." “Dynamic Conservatism”

Anti-communism in domestic politics Fear of communism High-profile espionage cases Alger Hiss Ethel and Julius Rosenberg The Second “Red Scare”

Searching for domestic communists The Loyalty Review Board The House Un-American Activities Committee Scientists -- Black activists -- Hollywood writers, actors, producers, and directors

McCarthyism – 1940s and 1950s Senator Joseph R. McCarthy Republican from Wisconsin The Term used to describe the intense, often paranoid hunt for "communist subversives" living and working in America. By equating dissent with disloyalty, McCarthy drastically narrowed the spectrum of acceptable political debate and helped to usher in one of the most repressive times in American politics