The Affluent Society

 Truman and Eisenhower’s domestic policies allowed for an “economy of abundance”  More goods and services were being produced than ever before  Income increased  Home ownership increased  White collar jobs increased

The Affluent Society  With increased money came increased spending  People now had a desire to buy the “luxury” items  Advertising became an extremely important and influential position  Suburban Life became more popular  Levittown

The 1950’s family  hanges also caused a change in the “typical 50s family”  All these changes also caused a change in the “typical 50s family”  Baby Boom  million babies were born  Women  The role of “homemaker” was more emphasized  Despite this, more women were working in the 50s   Had to support luxurious lifestyles

Technological Breakthroughs   Transistors made small radios and calculators possible.   The earliest computers built.   ENIAC and UNIVAC   Medical advances   Polio vaccine   Salk, Sabin   U.S. launched a satellite   commercial jets available for travel.

Other Side  Not everyone was benefiting from the affluent society  African Americans  Discrimination  Urban Renewal Programs  Hispanic Americans  Bracero program  Poverty

Other Side  Native Americans  Termination Policy  Appalachian region  Poverty

Assignment  Create a travel Brochure for the 1950s  Highlight all the areas that would make people want to live in the 50s  Technology, higher wages, better family life, etc.  Brochure must include  5 pieces of information about the 50s  5 pictures with color