1. US History: Spiconardi
Life in the 1950s
US History: Spiconardi

2. Consumer Spending
After World War II, Americans were ready, able, & willing to spend their money
Factories had converted from producing military supplies to consumer goods
Many had saved up from wartime jobs

3. Consumer Spending

4. Consumer Spending

5. Suburbanization
Thanks to “baby boom” & GI Bill there was a rise in new homes
Building outside of major cities begins
Levittowns  nearly identical homes built on treeless lots; mass production of houses
Impact
Decline of the Cities
Fewer taxpayers  not enough funds for services
Greater concentration of poor in the cities puts a strain on cities due to demand for social services

6. Suburbanization

7. Automobile
Cars made growth of suburbs possible and in turn caused greater demand for cars
Helped steel, rubber, & glass industries
Caused America’s dependence on oil & pollution

8. Automobile Federal Highway Act of 1956
Largest public works program in US History
$31 billion dollars to construct over 40,000 miles of roadways
Intended to facilitate commerce & allow military to move about the country
Helped integrated South into national economy
Expands metropolitan areas (suburbanization)

9. Television Impact Education/News Homogenized culture
Increases consumerism via advertising
Alters sense of reality?
Less socialization?
Hurt movie industry?

10. Rock-n-Roll Seen as the music of the devil
Associated with rebellious teens
Led to moral depravity (Elvis hip swivel)

11. Education
After Sputnik, US makes education a matter of national security
National Defense Education Act (1958)
Funded programs in math, science, and foreign language

12. Bomb Shelters & Air Raid Drills

13. Bomb Shelters & Air Raid Drills