Chapter 25 Section 2 A time of Prosperity en.wikipedia.org http://blog.hemmings.com/index.php/2012/03/13/hemmings-find-of-the-day-1956-chrysler-new-yorker-2/ Section 2 A time of Prosperity en.wikipedia.org timefliesmaltshop.com
Vocab Exceed- to go beyond Negative- in opposition to an idea or not positive Closed shop- a work place where only union member can be hired Productivity- worker were able to work more efficiently and produce more goods Standard of living- measure of how good life is for a person, group, or country Baby boom- the increased birth rate Rock-and-Roll- blend of black rhythm and blues and country music Elvis Presley- the most popular rock-and-roll singer of his time Inner cities- centers of older cities
Adjusting to Peacetime At the end of the war Americans faced important economic challenges including, defense industries had closed. Congress had passed an act in 1944 which is GI Bill of Rights which stands for government issue In WWII consumer goods were short in supply. By the end of the war Americans were ready and Eager to buy. Prices rose workers demanded higher pay
Inflation Employers refused to give workers larger pay so strikes began to sweep the nation President Truman was for labor but feared increasing pay would also increase prices Truman ended a United Mine Workers strike by taking over mines Later rose salaries and resulted in inflation Congress passed the Taft-Hartley Act allowed government to delay a strike for 80 day if it threatens public safety, forbade unions to contribute to political campaigns, and banned the closed shop Truman had vetoed the Taft-Hartley Act but congress over rode the veto
Harry S. Truman Thomas Dewey New York governor Did not campaign hard People expected Dewey’s victory Truman beat him by a narrow margin Had very slim chance of wining Campaigned tirelessly Approved of a few New Deal programs The Election of 1948 usgovinfo.about.com en.wikipedia.org
Eisenhower’s middle way en.wikipedia.org Truman decide not to run again Eisenhower won in a landslide victory He thought that the federal government should play smaller role in the economy Followed middle of the road policy Served 2 terms Running on a record of peace progress and prosperity Greatest achievement Interstate Highway act of 1956
A Changing Society Inflation slowed and employment soared www.plan59.com Inflation slowed and employment soared Increase in productivity Now could buy cars, furniture, clothing, freezers, televisions, and air conditioners New Standard of Living By the end of the decade, 6 out of 10 people had homes. United States of America was in midst of change photography.nationalgeographic.com
The Baby Boom Increased birth rate www.technotrigger.com - eswalls.com - The Baby Boom Increased birth rate In postwar years, Americans married earlier than their parents had, resulting in bigger families People were living longer thanks to new medicine New vaccine stopped Polio www.sheknows.com www.wallpick.com -
Escaping the City Americans bought automobiles as fast as companies made them. In the 50’s the number of Americans living in suburbs grew by 50%. Grew around cities throughout the US. blog.hemmings.com grist.org
Television The most impact on American life in the 1950s kennethauthor.com Television The most impact on American life in the 1950s In 1946, 8,000 homes had a television set and by the mid-1950s, 3 out of 4 homes had a television set Early programs included sitcoms about the ideal middle-class family life Families ended up spending too much time watching television in fact as much time they spend at work Created frozen meals or “ TV DINNERS” www.mysocalledcraftylife.com
Rock and Roll Television helped make rock and roll Blend of black rhythm-and-blues and country music Elvis Presley was most popular Adults were shocked by music. www.reddit.com www.picstopin.com
Signs of trouble Not everyone enjoyed this time Cities lost important tax money Inner cities became homes for poor Crime rose William H. Wright wrote The Organization Man in 1956 http://coworld.org/ walkoverstates.wordpress.com
New Things for the world thehistorytavern.blogspot.com www.picstopin.com www.sitcomsonline.com - www.rollingstone.com fontmeme.com madmargaret.wordpress.com forums.watchuseek.com
By Alex W and Kaylea G