The Post War Years at Home CH 20

In the post war years the American economy prospers, the average annual income per person, nearly doubled from In the post war years the American economy prospers, the average annual income per person, nearly doubled from Fast-food restaurants, clothing stores, and other franchises began popping up all over the country. Fast-food restaurants, clothing stores, and other franchises began popping up all over the country. First Fast Food restauran t located in Wichita Kansas

Advances in technology, such as television, computers, transistors, and nuclear power also spurred industrial growth as business met demands for new technologies. Advances in technology, such as television, computers, transistors, and nuclear power also spurred industrial growth as business met demands for new technologies.

Dr. Jonas Salk discovered a vaccine for polio, a disease claiming more than 20,000 lives a year. Dr. Jonas Salk discovered a vaccine for polio, a disease claiming more than 20,000 lives a year.

A growing economy and more affluence helped increase the birthrate, causing a baby boom in the 1950’s; with growing incomes many families leave the cities for the suburbs. A growing economy and more affluence helped increase the birthrate, causing a baby boom in the 1950’s; with growing incomes many families leave the cities for the suburbs  1 baby born every 7 seconds

Families bought homes and cars to carry them to jobs in the cities and new suburban shopping centers. Families bought homes and cars to carry them to jobs in the cities and new suburban shopping centers. The New “American Dream”

The GI Bill of Rights gave veterans low- interest loans so that they could purchase homes and provided educational stipends to attend college or graduate school. The GI Bill of Rights gave veterans low- interest loans so that they could purchase homes and provided educational stipends to attend college or graduate school. FDR signs GI Bill of Rights in 1944

The government encouraged these changes by building new and better highways across the nation. The government encouraged these changes by building new and better highways across the nation. Consumer credit, and debt, started to grow as lending agencies offered credit cards. Consumer credit, and debt, started to grow as lending agencies offered credit cards.

Section 2 The Mood of the 1950’s

During the late 1950s many Americans lived comfortable lives, after depression and war citizens wanted security and comfort over individuality. During the late 1950s many Americans lived comfortable lives, after depression and war citizens wanted security and comfort over individuality. (wanted to be like families on TV) (wanted to be like families on TV) Father Knows Best Leave it to Beaver

Many young people called “the silent generation,” were content to enjoy their parents’ affluence rather than become involved in the outside world. Many young people called “the silent generation,” were content to enjoy their parents’ affluence rather than become involved in the outside world.

Americans also showed a renewed interest in religion in response to the struggle against “godless communism.” Americans also showed a renewed interest in religion in response to the struggle against “godless communism.” Rev. Billy Graham Hollywood gets in on Religious craze with “The Ten Commandments” 1956

Men worked in the public arena, women worked at home or as secretaries, teachers, nurses, and sales clerks, and not in professions such as medicine or law, which were reserved for men. Men worked in the public arena, women worked at home or as secretaries, teachers, nurses, and sales clerks, and not in professions such as medicine or law, which were reserved for men.

Many turned to music, becoming fans of rock and roll especially Elvis Presley, many adults saw this scene as a cause of immorality. Many turned to music, becoming fans of rock and roll especially Elvis Presley, many adults saw this scene as a cause of immorality. The King The Beatles

The “Beat Generation” or beatniks. Beatniks consisted of artists and writers that challenged traditional patterns of responsibility and shocked Americans with their open sexuality and drug use. The “Beat Generation” or beatniks. Beatniks consisted of artists and writers that challenged traditional patterns of responsibility and shocked Americans with their open sexuality and drug use. Beat Generation writer Jack Kerouac Beatnik Clean Teen

Sec. 3 Domestic Politics and Policy

President Harry Truman faced challenge of reconversion, transition from wartime to a peacetime economy. President Harry Truman faced challenge of reconversion, transition from wartime to a peacetime economy. Truman proposed the Fair Deal which included more benefits for workers, national health insurance and control over atomic energy. Truman proposed the Fair Deal which included more benefits for workers, national health insurance and control over atomic energy.

Truman moved to increase Civil Rights for African Americans by ordering the armed forces to integregate. Truman moved to increase Civil Rights for African Americans by ordering the armed forces to integregate.

Republicans elect Dwight D. Eisenhower in 1952, promoted Modern Republicanism, goal of slowing federal government growth and limiting presidential power. Republicans elect Dwight D. Eisenhower in 1952, promoted Modern Republicanism, goal of slowing federal government growth and limiting presidential power.

Eisenhower helped establish the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), an agency for space exploration and the National Defense Education Act, which gave money to improve science and mathematics education. Eisenhower helped establish the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), an agency for space exploration and the National Defense Education Act, which gave money to improve science and mathematics education.