The 1950’s America Transforms

The Truman Years – GI Bill of Rights – gave pensions and loans to veterans so they could start businesses, or buys homes, or go to college. Employment Act – created to ensure people had jobs after WW2. Civil Rights Beginnings: Committee on Civil Rights – investigated racial issues in the U.S. They wrote a report on their findings. After reading the report Truman desegregated the military, tried to pass an anti-lynching law, and get rid of poll taxes. This angered the South a lot! Culture During the late 40’s and early 50’s

The Truman Years Continued Truman is re-elected in 1948 and continues to work for civil rights and to pass FDR’s New Deal Programs. Promised a Fair Deal – focused on employment, higher minimum wage, national health insurance, affordable housing, aid to farmers, and expanding the welfare system. It was only partly successful.

The Eisenhower Era Dwight D. Eisenhower “Ike” comes into office in 1953 Dwight D. Eisenhower “Ike” comes into office in 1953 America is in a huge economic “upswing” America is in a huge economic “upswing” Ike cuts the size of the Federal Govt – cuts thousands of Govt jobs Ike cuts the size of the Federal Govt – cuts thousands of Govt jobs He turns over large sections of Federal coastal lands to be developed He turns over large sections of Federal coastal lands to be developed Establishes “Modern Republicanism”, fiscally conservative & socially liberal Establishes “Modern Republicanism”, fiscally conservative & socially liberal Establishes 3 cabinet positions: Depts. of Health, Education, & Welfare Establishes 3 cabinet positions: Depts. of Health, Education, & Welfare Unemployment & inflation were low Unemployment & inflation were low The rise of the Middle Class grew quickly: 60% of the American population The rise of the Middle Class grew quickly: 60% of the American population An average household earned between $3,000 to $10,000 annually An average household earned between $3,000 to $10,000 annually Interstate Highway system: Links the country together Interstate Highway system: Links the country together

Eisenhower’s Interstate System

Changes in the Workplace Changes in industry caused huge profits to occur Changes in industry caused huge profits to occur Some 5,000 companies merged to make larger ones Some 5,000 companies merged to make larger ones Automation in industry makes production faster & more efficient than human workers Automation in industry makes production faster & more efficient than human workers # of “Blue Collar” jobs fell, “White Collar” jobs rose # of “Blue Collar” jobs fell, “White Collar” jobs rose Women made up 1/3 of the work force, working in “Pink Collar” jobs, (teaching, nursing, low level clerks, & retail sales) Women made up 1/3 of the work force, working in “Pink Collar” jobs, (teaching, nursing, low level clerks, & retail sales)

Suburban Migration Workforce & income changes allowed young couples to move away from the cities Workforce & income changes allowed young couples to move away from the cities Affordable housing is provided in “Planned Communities” Affordable housing is provided in “Planned Communities” Most neighborhoods had a single floor plan from which to choose from Most neighborhoods had a single floor plan from which to choose from The best known suburban development was “Levittown” built by the Levitt Company The best known suburban development was “Levittown” built by the Levitt Company These communities grew so fast, that they became small cities themselves These communities grew so fast, that they became small cities themselves William Levitt

Suburban Life The baby boom takes off The baby boom takes off During the Depression & WW2, many put off marriage During the Depression & WW2, many put off marriage After the WW2 the largest # of marriages occurred, as well as births – birthrate shot up 90%, an increase of approx. 30 million people After the WW2 the largest # of marriages occurred, as well as births – birthrate shot up 90%, an increase of approx. 30 million people The # of working mothers increased in the 1950s The # of working mothers increased in the 1950s Many families needed 2 paychecks to stay in the middle class Many families needed 2 paychecks to stay in the middle class

Suburban Life Families in the suburbs did many things together (couples) Families in the suburbs did many things together (couples) Many of the families were of the same age & income class Many of the families were of the same age & income class Image was everything! Image was everything! “Keeping up w/ the Jones” was where families tried to out do each other for the “latest” & “greatest” gadgets “Keeping up w/ the Jones” was where families tried to out do each other for the “latest” & “greatest” gadgets PTA’s, Scouting, church going, etc. were activities where everyone joined in & were “seen” PTA’s, Scouting, church going, etc. were activities where everyone joined in & were “seen”

The Golden Age of Television Televisions slowly made their way into homes across the country Televisions slowly made their way into homes across the country By the end of the 1950’s over 46 Million homes had a set By the end of the 1950’s over 46 Million homes had a set Viewers could choose from sporting events (world series) to situation comedies (sitcoms) like the “Honeymooners” or “I Love Lucy” Viewers could choose from sporting events (world series) to situation comedies (sitcoms) like the “Honeymooners” or “I Love Lucy” Quiz shows & variety shows were popular w/ all audiences Quiz shows & variety shows were popular w/ all audiences

Teenagers & Popular Culture Teenagers found themselves w/ more free time & spending more $ than ever before Teenagers found themselves w/ more free time & spending more $ than ever before They began to spend their time in activities that glamorized “rebellion” to the conformity of the suburbs They began to spend their time in activities that glamorized “rebellion” to the conformity of the suburbs America’s first teenage serial killer arises: Charles Starkweather in Lincoln, NE America’s first teenage serial killer arises: Charles Starkweather in Lincoln, NE Killed 11 people in a week’s time Killed 11 people in a week’s time

Rock & Roll Music Cleveland DJ Alan Freed first used the term Cleveland DJ Alan Freed first used the term Came from Rhythm & Blues, called “Black Music” Came from Rhythm & Blues, called “Black Music” Many stations would not play due to racial & “suggestive” roots…devil’s music Many stations would not play due to racial & “suggestive” roots…devil’s music Elvis Presley became the Rock & Roll icon of the period along w/ Buddy Holly Elvis Presley became the Rock & Roll icon of the period along w/ Buddy Holly Bill Haley’s “Rock Around the Clock” from the movie “Blackboard Jungle” first real hit Bill Haley’s “Rock Around the Clock” from the movie “Blackboard Jungle” first real hit Dick Clark’s American Bandstand: top teenage TV show Dick Clark’s American Bandstand: top teenage TV show