Baltimore Polytechnic Institute April 28, 2011 U.S. History Mr. Green
The students will describe the suburban lifestyle of the 1950’s by explaining the increase in consumerism in the 1950’s Announcement: Chapter 18/19 Test May 6 Drill: Examine the pictures on pages and answer ONE of the following: 1. Write a paragraph that describes the central theme expressed by the pictures. 2. Write a paragraph based on these images that discusses how America has changed since the 1950’s. Motivation: What is the American Dream? Describe what you think the American Dream is to you.
Truman’s approval rating hit 23% in 1951 Causes: Korean Conflict, McCarthyism I like Ike Campaign Issues: communism at home and abroad-China and eastern Europe growing federal government Korean Conflict, rising inflation Checkers Speech Walking the middle of the road Ike governed with “dynamic conservatism” conservative with money/liberal with people Brown v. Board (1954) Ike enforced desegregation in Little Rock, AR Alaska/Hawaii became states
By 1956, a majority of Americans held white- collar jobs-sales, advertising, insurance, communications Conglomerates Major corporation that includes a number of smaller companies in unrelated industries Franchises McDonald’s-Fast Food-Assembly line techniques San Bernardino, CA
Social Conformity Companies wanted “Company Men” Do not rock the boat, used personality tests to identify the right people Conformity v. individuality
The Baby Boom Between 1946 and 1964 Contributing factors: reunion of families after WWII, decreasing marriage age, large families, continued economic prosperity, advances in medicine Dr. Spock’s Babies Book on how to raise children, no spanking, and letting kids express themselves Pay mothers to stay home Impacts on the economy/education
Women’s Roles The media portrayed the mother at home Women continued to work outside the home in the 1950’s Leisure in the 50’s 40 hour weeks, several weeks of vacation Fishing, hunting, bowling, boating, golf Pro sports on TV Youth Activities-scouts, Little League baseball
Cheap gas after WWII Needed a car to live in suburbia The Interstate highway system The roads took many businesses from the cities
New Products Teflon, washing machines, dryers, blenders, freezers, TV, tape recorders, Hi-Fi’s Planned obsolescence make goods to purposely wear out Buy now, pay later Credit Cards-American Express 1958 Diners Club in 1950 Advertising boomed encouraged people to buy things they did not need
Complete the Guided Reading sheet and submit prior to the end of class.
Summarize the events of the postwar period that contributed to social unrest in the United States.
1. Read Chapter 19 Section 2