Turn to page 5 in handout, “What statistics stand out to you?” ** Handout, “1950’s America”

1950’s American Prosperity 97% of eligible people for marriage were married 90% of Americans owned refrigerators, and 3/4 had washing machines, telephones, and vacuum cleaners U.S. owned 80% of the world’s electrical goods U.S. produced 40% of world’s electricity, 60% of its oil, and 66% of its steel

1950’s American Prosperity Average American ate 50% more food than the Average European U.S. population, 5% of world’s population had more wealth than rest of world 2/3’s of the world’s productive capacity From 1940 to 1955, average American incomes tripled