1. 17.1 An Economic Boom

2. Worrying About Communists at Home
The Nation Recovers from War
Washington D.C. gives the order to stop wartime production
Truman begins Demobilization
Demobilization is the bringing home of army members
The GI Bill Aids Returning Soldiers
GI Bill of Rights – Granted veterans benefits such as, unemployment compensation, financial aid for college, and govt. loans to build homes and start businesses
Increases in homebuilding and education.
Baby Boom Fills Classrooms
People had put off having families due to the depression and WWII
After the soldiers came back from war they were ready to have families, confident that the worst is behind them
This was known as the Baby Boom

3. Continuation… Converting From a Wartime Economy
The government stopped rationing and regulating prices of goods
This led to a very high increase in prices, also known as inflation
The U.S. Dominates the World Economy
Due to the depression and wartime restrictions Americans were limited on the goods they could purchase
After the war demand increased so much that businesses needed to hire more employees to keep up
The more employees hired the more it contributed to the economy.
The U.S. produced 50%of the World’s output while only having 6% of the world’s population

4. Continuation… Technological Progress Boosts Productivity
Increase in the use of computers
Worker Productivity Increased because of new technology
The rate at which goods are produced or services are performed
Government Spending Supports Growth
The Korean War led to new technological advances which were needed for the military
The Marshall Plan also required the need for U.S. products abroad

5. Truman Overcomes Huge Obstacles
Grappling with Congress and Labor
Congress passed the Taft-Hartley Act
Taft- Hartley Act – Made it illegal for a workplace to only hire union members
Truman vetoed this but was overruled by Congress
Angering Segregationists
Established a committee on civil rights
All the recommendations of the committee were rejected by Congress
Truman fully desegregated the armed forces by executive order
Truman Upsets Dewey
Truman was facing opposition from both Republicans and Southern Democrats
But ends up winning the election over Republican Thomas Dewey
Truman Proposes the Fair Deal
Fair Deal – Purposes was to strengthen New Deal programs and to start new programs such as, national Health insurance

6. Eisenhower Charts a Middle Path
Eisenhower was widely popular among both democrats and Republicans
Most Americans believed that Eisenhower would chart a middle path for the nation, and they were right
Eisenhower will go on to be one of the most peaceful, and most prosperous Presidents in the 20th century.

7. 17.2 A Society on the Move

8. Americans Move to the Suburbs
Suburbs Attract Young Americans
People went to the suburbs due to the shortage in urban housing
Homes in the suburbs were less expensive
State and Federal government created highways to the suburbs
Home buyers benefited from government programs like the GI Bill and Federal Housing Administration (FHA)
The “Car Culture” Takes Over
The rise of suburbs made Americans more dependent on the Automobile
Automobile makers came up with new technology like power steering, power brakes, and automatic transmission
New businesses began to rise because of the new car culture such as drive-in theatres, and shopping malls

9. Eisenhower Interstate Highway System
Eisenhower authorized the first funding of the interstate system
Congress passed the Interstate Highway Act
Interstate Highway Act – Authorized funds to build 41,000 miles of multilane highways connecting major cities.
Purposes was to ease the commute from the suburbs
Migrating to the Sunbelt
People began migrating towards the Sunbelt
Sunbelt – Southern states and western states
Seeking the Benefits of the Sunbelt
The weather of southern and western states were appealing
The invention of air conditioning made it easier to live in hotter climates
Immigrants also contributed to the population of southern states (ex. Cubans in the 1960’s fleeing the Castro regime)
Impact of Migration
Those in the suburbs gained more political representation

10. The American Economy Changes Focus
More people found work during this time in the Service Sector
Or the first time in history the service sector outgrew the manufacturing sector
The Service Sector Grows
There was a new workforce in the Information Industries
Information Industries – Are those that worked in the development and operation of the first computer.
Businesses began to use the first computers to automate work
Women in the workforce doubled between 1940 and 1960
Most women still only worked part-time and were still underpaid
Farmers continued to see a decline in Agriculture
Entrepreneurs Start Businesses
The beginning of the Franchise Business
Franchise Business allows a company to distribute its services or products through retail outlets owned by independent operators (Ex. McDonald’s, Holiday Inn, Burger King etc.)

11. Continuation… American Corporations Go Multinational
Multinational Corporations – Companies that produced and sold their goods and services all over the world and establish branches in other countries.
Unions Consolidate Their Gains
Two major unions that split during the 1930’s joined together in the 1950’s
AFL-CIO
Unions enjoyed political cover due to the Democratic Party

12. Educational Opportunities Expand
Government Provides Funding for Education
Due to the Baby-Boomers more money was needed for education
Most of the money was put forth by State and Local govt.
However, after the launch of Sputnik 1 by the USSR the U.S. approved the National Defense Education Act
National Defense Education Act - Was aimed at producing more scientists and science teachers
Education is “Democratized”
Brown v Board of Education – Outlawed segregated schools
There was more emphasis on making education more accessible
California Master Plan – Developed three levels of public universities: Research Universities, State Colleges, and community colleges

13. 17.3 Mass Culture and Family Life

14. The Culture of Consumerism
Consumerism- Buying as much as one could, much of it on credit
Spending is Easy
Income had sharply risen during the 1950’s
Companies thought of clever ways to let people buy on credit
The Diner’s Club introduced the first credit card
Buying New Conveniences
Home appliances were among the most popular products aimed at easing housework
With easy credit, more money and more new products shopping became a hobby for some Americans

15. Family Life in the Fifties
Portraying the “Ideal Family”
Men were seen as the “breadwinners” and women were expected to maintain the house and children
This emphasis was seen in the Nuclear Family
Nuclear Family – A household consisting of a mother , a father, and their children, as the basis for American society
Television shows and movies often portrayed this ideal lifestyle.
Children are the Focus
During the 1950’s life revolved around the child or the children
People read books on how to properly raise their children
Dr. Benjamin Spock was a popular author on this subject

16. Continuation… Celebrating a Religious Revival
During the 1950’s the U.S. saw a revival in religion
More Americans attended church
Congress approved the phrase “In God We Trust” on the dollar bill and “Under God” in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Improved Healthcare for Baby Boomers
There were various advancements in the field of Medicine
The first vaccines were created to combat polio
Antibiotics, like penicillin, were being used to fight tuberculosis
Doctors began to understand the importance of diet in children
Baby Boomers enjoyed a longer life expectancy

17. Television Takes Center Stage
Americans bought Televisions at a faster pace than they bought radios and cars during the 1920’s
Children began to rush home to watch shows like the Mickey Mouse Club or the Lone Ranger
Westerns were the most popular genre of the time
Television portrayed the ideal American Family and did not show real life type problems
Television changed the political campaigning
Now the candidate with more money can buy more advertising time

18. Rock and Roll Shakes the Nation
Drawing on African American Roots
Rock originated from rhythm and blues traditions of African Americans
When African Americans migrated north they brought with them this type of music
Attracting a Wider Audience
Elvis Presley - Was one of the most famous rock and roll artists of the 1950’s
Many people viewed his dancing and singing as very provocative and some television shows refused to show anything below his waist
This was due to his dance moves and tight fitting pants.

19. 17.4 Dissent and Discontent

20. Critics Reject the Fifties Culture
Object to Conformity
Many people believed that Americans had given up their individualism simply to “fit-in”
They also criticized the power of advertising to mold public tastes
The Beats Reject Middle-Class Life
Beatniks or Beats - A group of writer and artists who refused to conform to accepted ways of dressing, thinking, and acting.

21. Rural and Urban Poverty
Cities Suffer a Decline
After WWII as African Americans and other minorities moved into cities, white Americans were moving into the suburbs
This affected cities because white Americans payed most of the taxes, and with them moving it meant that cities had less political representation.
Inner City – The older, central part of the city with crowded neighborhoods, where usually low-income and minority, groups live.
Federal and State Govt.’s tried to address this trend through Urban Renewal Projects
Urban Renewal Projects – Involved the govt. clearing out old housing and building freeways and developments in the hope s of improving these areas
The Rural Poor Also Suffer
Companies and large farm owners dominated the farming industry
Small farmers could not compete, ultimately falling into poverty and many ended up moving into the cities.

22. “Other Americans” Face Injustice
Puerto Ricans
Flooded some of the poorest areas of cities
Faced formal and informal instances of discrimination in employment opportunities
Had little to know political power
Almost no government help or services
Mexicans
Most Mexican farmers were exploited
Native Americans
Termination policy – The law sought to end tribal govt. and relocate Native Americans to the cities.