American Prosperity Lecture 5
Standard 11.9.3 Trace the origins and geopolitical consequences of the Cold War Essential Question: What is Prosperity and how was it seen in the US after WWII?
$$$ a short economic downturn after WWII led to fears of new Great Depression Congress cuts taxes America wealthiest civilization on Earth 6% of world’s population control 40% of wealth
GI Bill of Rights GI Bill of Rights, 1944 $14.5 billion for veterans to go to school, or use for farms or small businesses helped vets get started after the war
Taft-Hartley Act Taft-Hartley Act, 1947 made unions liable for damages union leaders had to take noncommunist oath AFL and CIO merged in 1955 as a result of weakening unions
Interstate Highway Act largest and most expensive public works act in U.S. history 41,000 miles of road Primarily for military???
McDonalds McDonalds, 1953 est. in San Bernardino, CA in 1940 began franchising in 1953 every restaurant made the same food and looked the same 15¢ hamburgers made under Speedee Service System Roy Kroc bought the company in 1955 31,000 stores in 119 countries 47 million customers per day 1.5 million employees $2 billion a year in advertising
The Original Ronald McDonald
Disneyland Disneyland, 1955 cost $17 million to build prosperity = leisure and entertainment Disney World opened in 1971
Suburbia Suburbia Levittown, NY was the first large-scale planned community (17,000+ homes) white flight: middle-class moved to suburban areas escape urban problems
Society on the Move Frostbelt to Sunbelt Americans moved to the South and West retirement communities grew in California, Arizona, Texas, Florida
The Collars Blue Collar to White Collar labor the number of middle-class families doubled average income increased from $3,000-$10,000 60% middle class and owned home 90% owned a television most families owned a car
Service Sector service sector fewer Americans worked on farms or in factories serving rather than producing McDonalds, accountants, retail
Master Plan California Master Plan, 1960 set up the current system of higher education in California Top 12.5% guaranteed spot in UC Top 33% guaranteed spot in CSU Everyone guaranteed spot in JCs
Quizzy Quiz: Disney Style What is the name of the baboon in Lion King? Who is the man that wants to marry Belle in Beauty and the Beast? In the movie Toy Story, who owns Woody? What animal does Pinocchio turn into? What are Cinderella’s slippers made out of? Who is the villain in Sleeping Beauty? What movie’s theme song is “You’ll be in my heart? Who is the object of Mulan’s affection? Finish this song lyric, “You think you own whatever land you land on…” What was Aladdin’s first wish?