THE 1950s: The Economy

The Economy in the 50s Economic boom began because after 17 years of depression and war shortages, Americans rushed out to buy consumer goods Unemployment low Plenty of goods to buy

The G.I. Bill fuels the economy Provided money to veterans to start business, buy homes, & go to college Home loans helped suburbs grow

Unions in the 1950s Conservatives limit power of unions Taft-Hartley Act: 1. Right-to-work laws: outlawed making workers join unions 2. Outlawed closed shop: which forced businesses to hire only union workers

Truman’s Economic Program (1946-1952) The Fair Deal: Every segment of population (workers, businesses, consumers) had right to be treated equal by government 1. Increased social security benefits 2. Raised minimum wage 3. More low income housing

Eisenhower’s Economic Program (1952-1960) Conservative Program that… Cut funding of schools and public housing Modest tax cuts Great-Lakes-St. Lawrence Seaway Connected Midwest to Atlantic Ocean Federal Highway Act Improved transportation accross country Largest public works program in American history

Social and Cultural Factors of the 1950s

1957  1 baby born every 7 seconds Baby Boom It seems to me that every other young housewife I see is pregnant. -- British visitor to America, 1958 1957  1 baby born every 7 seconds

Baby Boom Increased the need for public schools and education resources

Suburban Living Levittown: Symbolized “The American Dream” with mass produced suburbs $7,990 or $60/month with no down payment. 1949  William Levitt produced 150 houses per week.

Suburban Living: The New “American Dream” 1 story high 12’x19’ living room 2 bedrooms tiled bathroom garage small backyard front lawn By 1960  1/3 of the U. S. population in the suburbs.

Suburban Living: The Typical TV Suburban Families The Donna Reed Show 1958-1966 Leave It to Beaver 1957-1963 Father Knows Best 1954-1958 The Ozzie & Harriet Show 1952-1966

Television 1946  7,000 TV sets in the U. S. 1950  50,000,000 TV sets in the U. S. Mass Audience  TV celebrated traditional American values. ii > Became a predominant source of news and entertainment in America Truth, Justice, and the American way!

Teen Culture 1951  Dominant music emerges “ROCK ‘N ROLL” In the 1950s  the word “teenager” entered the American language. By 1956  13 mil. teens with $7 bil. to spend a year. 1951  Dominant music emerges “ROCK ‘N ROLL” Elvis Presley  “The King”

Teen Culture The Generation Gap: The rise of an independent youth culture separate from the adult culture: 1. Have money to spend 2. Influenced by mass media James Dean in Rebel Without a Cause (1955) Marlon Brando in The Wild One (1953) “Dream as if you will live forever. Live as if you will die today.”