1. The Cold War and the American Dream (1945-1960) Chapter 28, Section 3
The 1950’s
The Cold War and the
American Dream
( )
Chapter 28, Section 3

2. Essential Questions:
Is money the root of all evil?

3. LaVern Baker 1950’s Rock n’ Roll Artist: “Tweedlee Dee” “Jim Dandy”
“See See Rider”
White Artists Copied Her Songs in the 1950’s
Radio Stations (Controlled by Whites) Played the White Artists Songs ($$$)
What Does This STILL Tell You About Society in the 1950’s?

4. 1950’s Boom? Really? The 1950’s is Known as a time of Great Prosperity
However, 1 out of 5 Americans Lived in Poverty (20%)
Most Poor Americans Lived in the Cities
Many Poor Americans were Minorities

5. The Suburbs
As Many American Businesses Prospered, Many Americans Moved to the Suburbs
Towns Outside of Cities Prospered
Fewer Middle and Upper Class Americans Lived in the Cities:
Less Taxes Collected
Schools Got Less $$$
Less $$$ to Pay for City Needs (Fire/Police/Garbage)
Cities Across America Began Urban Decay
Scarsdale vs. Valhalla

8. Mexican Immigration During WWII
During WWII, the U.S. Government Encouraged Mexican Immigration!
During WWII, Shortage of Farm Workers (The Draft)
U.S. Created the Bracero Program
Over 120,000 Mexicans Were Part of the Bracero Program

9. Struggling Minorities
During the 1950’s, Most African Americans, Latinos & Mexicans Did Not Experience a “Boom”
During the Bracero Program (WWII) Mexicans were Paid Poorly & Had Hard Living/Working Conditions
When the Bracero Program Ended, Many Mexicans Stayed Illegally
Why Don’t Illegal Immigrants Protest Low Pay, Poor Working & Living Conditions?

12. Accomplishments of “Ike”
President Dwight D. Eisenhower’s Major Accomplishments:
Kept Most New Deal Programs
Expanded Social Security
Increased Minimum Wage for Workers
Created the Department of:
Health
Education
Welfare

13. The Highway Act of 1956 In 1956, Congress Passed the Highway Act
The U.S. Spent $32 Billion Dollars to Build Over 41,000 Miles of Highway
Created Jobs
Why are Highways Essential for ANY Economy?

18. The Baby “Boom” After WWII, Many Americans Began Having Families
Due to the 1950’s Economic Boom, Many Americans Had More Than 2 Children
The U.S. Grew by Over 30 Million
The “Baby Boomer” Generation Had a Huge Impact on the Economy

19. Impact of the Baby Boom:
Americans Wanted Houses in the Suburbs for their Kids to Grow Up In
Businesses Spread to the Suburbs to Sell to the Growing Population
Needed a Car in the Suburbs to Get Around:
Car Sales Increased
The Economy GREW!

20. The Baby Boomers

22. The Sunbelt States
During the 1950’s, Many Americans Moved to the South and Southwestern Part of the U.S.
The “Sunbelt” States
California Became the Most Populated State in U.S.
The U.S. Economy Continued to Grow

23. The “American Dream”
During the 1950’s, the “American Dream” Was Defined As:
Life in the Suburbs
Your Own House
Good Schools
Shopping Malls
Safe Place to Raise Your Kids
Has the “American Dream” Changed Today?

25. Women of the 1950’s
Women During the 1950’s were Promoted as the “Keepers of the Suburban Dream”
Job Opportunities for Women Were Limited:
Nurses
Teachers
Secretaries

26. 1950’s Economic Boom
During the 1950’s, American Businesses Were Making All Sorts of Goods Needed for the Home
Baby Boom Generation Spurred the Growth
Advertising on Television Became Huge

27. Television During the 1950’s, Television was Invented
By 1960, 9 out of 10 Homes Had a TV
The Movie Industry Started Losing $$$
Why is the Movie Industry Losing $$$ Today?

29. Who Am I?

30. Rock n’ Roll The Founders of Rock n’ Roll: Bill Haley and the Comets
Chuck Berry
Little Richard
Fats Domino
Jerry Lee Lewis
Elvis Presley, “The King” of Rock n’ Roll
Who is “The King” of Pop?

31. 1960 Presidential Election
John F. Kennedy (Democratic) vs. Richard Nixon (Republican)
1960 Election is One of the Closest in U.S. History
JFK Won the Election
JFK Became the Youngest President Ever to Serve (43 Years Old)

32. 1960 Televised Debate 1st Presidential Debate Ever Televised
How Did Television Actually Help JFK to Win the Debate and the Election?

35. Essential Questions:
Is money the root of all evil?