1. Eisenhower’s Domestic Policies Aim: How did life in the US change in the 1950’s? Do Now: List three things that were happening in the US in the 1950’s.

2. Eisenhower’s Economic Policies First Republican President since Hoover Disliked strong central government His policies supported big business Cut back on federal government size and power Reduced spending for defense and foreign aid Extended social programs begun under the new deal –Social security expanded –New cabinet post: Department of Health, Education and Welfare

3. Farm Problem Farm production increasing and prices declining Needed to increase programs for farmers 1956 Congress approved a new program to pay farmers for not planting crops Subsidies- direct payments by a government to private individuals

4. “Eisenhower’s Prosperity” and Consumer Spending 1950’s prosperous time –During WWII, Americans worked hard and enjoyed good wages –Due to rationing and shortages, people only spent money on necessities –Saved wealth- can now spend on consumer goods –Factories began producing consumer goods after the war

5. New Homes Baby boom Growth of family size Accumulation of capital Availability of government loans to veterans Caused a rapid increase in building of homes

6. Suburbs Areas surrounding major cities Limited jobs and services offered Most worked in the city Levittown, NY Suburbanization By the 1960’s, almost a third of all Americans lived in suburbs Decline of cities –Less people to pay taxes –Poorer people in need of social services

7. Automobiles Cars helped the growth of suburbs Suburbs increased demand for cars New industries helped to make the car –Factories made steel, glass and rubber –Refineries produced oil and gas that powered them Federal Highway Act of 1956 –Funding for interstate highways

8. Americans on the Move Not just to suburbs; new areas of the country Sun Belt –States of South and West- Florida, Texas, Arizona, California –Retirees and businesses that wanted to relocate Rust Belt –Job loss –Northeast (New York and Massachusetts) –Midwest (Ohio and Michigan)

9. Television National broadcasting in 1946 Leading form of popular entertainment Amusement and a source of education

10. Examine the advertisement and then answer the questions What product is the advertisement promoting? Who is the advertisement targeting? What clues lead you to this conclusion? What does the advertisement suggest about the US economy at the time? How is the advertisement similar to the ads you see today? How is it different?