Postwar America 1946-1960

GI BILL HELPS RETURNING VETS To help returning servicemen ease back into civilian life, Congress passed the Servicemen’s Readjustment Act (GI Bill of Rights) The act provided tuition as well home & business loans

Economic Reconversion When wartime controls were removed, inflation soared, wages dropped, and strikes were frequent In 1947, Congress passed the Taft Hartley Act which limited unions rights

The Civil Rights Movement Begins Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier in baseball Truman desegregated the military

Truman’s Fair Deal Won a close re-election in 1948 Truman raised the minimum wage and S.S. benefits & proposed federal health insurance

Dwight D. Eisenhower WWII hero Elected in 1952 Conservative Republican

Interstate Highway Act 1956 41,000 miles of highway built Encouraged the growth of suburbs and businesses away from city centers

1950s Affluent Society 60% of Americans were middle class Higher standard of living led to a consumer culture

Popular Culture of the 50s Television reached 90% of homes Programs and ads created conservative stereotypes Father Knows Best

Subculture of the 50s The beat movement poets challenged conformity Rock n’ roll combined R&B with pop—appealed to teens Elvis Presley

Medical Breakthroughs Dr. Jonas Salk developed a vaccine for polio

50s Consumerism Buying material goods was equated with success Advertising on television, radio, and magazines

The Creation of Suburbia 10 million homes built in the 50s Emphasis on family life The baby boom! Epitomized the American Dream