The 1950’s America During the 1950’s

Economic Growth Government spending on the Defense Department increased From 1947-1957 the U.S. spent billions of dollars on the military Why? The Cold War

The GI Bill Government program created in 1944 that provided billions of dollars in loans to returning WWII soldiers so they could attend college, receive job training, setup businesses, or buy homes Helped guide America from a wartime economy to a peacetime economy

Economic Growth Productivity increased Consumer spending increased New technologies Computers, televisions*, consumer goods Money spent on technological development increased the strength of the economy

Economic Growth Higher Wages Average income increased 46% Americans had the highest standard of living in the world

The Baby Boom Increased birth rate During the 1950’s, the population rose from 150 million to 179 million Higher incomes allowed people to afford to care for children Led to increase need for schools and products serving children More women left the workforce to raise kids

Growth of the Suburbs Many Americans left the cities for areas outside the city Suburbs offered: Privacy Lower crime rate Space

Growth of the Suburbs William Levitt Introduced mass produced housing Started 1st suburban development Levittown Long Island, NY. 17,000 identical houses

The Federal Highway Act Law passed in 1956 which funded the construction of more than 40,000 miles of highways that connected the nation Strengthened the nation’s economy Automobile and Oil Industry Largest publics works project in the history of the country provided many jobs Improved military mobility in the event of a Soviet attack

The Automobile Suburban America was automobile centered The Automobile culture develops Drive ins Fast Food Movies Motels/Hotels for travelers Industries servicing Automobiles

American Culture The Television During the 1950’s, Americans bought 6-7 million Televisions per year Became main source of entertainment Important source of news Advertising Increased consumer demand for products

American Culture Rock and Roll Music

American Culture The Beat Movement A group of American writers who challenged the conformity and materialism of the 1950’s Allen Ginsburg William Burroughs Jack Kerouac Neil Cassidy These were the forefathers of the Hippie Movement of the 1960’s