postwar america at home, 1945 1960
TRANSCRIPT
![Page 1: Postwar America at Home, 1945 1960](https://reader035.vdocument.in/reader035/viewer/2022062319/557c6138d8b42a64778b4e05/html5/thumbnails/1.jpg)
1950S: AMERICA AT HOME
United States Studies
![Page 2: Postwar America at Home, 1945 1960](https://reader035.vdocument.in/reader035/viewer/2022062319/557c6138d8b42a64778b4e05/html5/thumbnails/2.jpg)
The Ideal wife???
![Page 3: Postwar America at Home, 1945 1960](https://reader035.vdocument.in/reader035/viewer/2022062319/557c6138d8b42a64778b4e05/html5/thumbnails/3.jpg)
Economic BoomEconomic Boom
![Page 4: Postwar America at Home, 1945 1960](https://reader035.vdocument.in/reader035/viewer/2022062319/557c6138d8b42a64778b4e05/html5/thumbnails/4.jpg)
The Thriving Peacetime The Thriving Peacetime EconomyEconomy
1950s—one of the longest sustained economic expansions in US history (no war depression—many entered Middle Class)
G.I. Bill helped ($500/year for college; low-interest home loans)
Car industry played a key role: many produced; interstate system built
![Page 5: Postwar America at Home, 1945 1960](https://reader035.vdocument.in/reader035/viewer/2022062319/557c6138d8b42a64778b4e05/html5/thumbnails/5.jpg)
![Page 6: Postwar America at Home, 1945 1960](https://reader035.vdocument.in/reader035/viewer/2022062319/557c6138d8b42a64778b4e05/html5/thumbnails/6.jpg)
Car CultureCar Culture
1945-60: From 26 to 60 million cars
Led to: Suburbs Drive-In Movies Car Hops Malls
![Page 7: Postwar America at Home, 1945 1960](https://reader035.vdocument.in/reader035/viewer/2022062319/557c6138d8b42a64778b4e05/html5/thumbnails/7.jpg)
![Page 8: Postwar America at Home, 1945 1960](https://reader035.vdocument.in/reader035/viewer/2022062319/557c6138d8b42a64778b4e05/html5/thumbnails/8.jpg)
Changing Work Changing Work PatternsPatterns
United States stopped being primarily a goods producer and began a new path as a service provider (examples)
People enjoyed the leisure resulting from work which was characterized by conformity and “belongingness.”
White-collar and blue-collar workers enjoyed a higher standard of living than ever before
![Page 9: Postwar America at Home, 1945 1960](https://reader035.vdocument.in/reader035/viewer/2022062319/557c6138d8b42a64778b4e05/html5/thumbnails/9.jpg)
![Page 10: Postwar America at Home, 1945 1960](https://reader035.vdocument.in/reader035/viewer/2022062319/557c6138d8b42a64778b4e05/html5/thumbnails/10.jpg)
FranchisesFranchises
Franchise: Company distributes a business model through local retailers owned by independent operators
![Page 11: Postwar America at Home, 1945 1960](https://reader035.vdocument.in/reader035/viewer/2022062319/557c6138d8b42a64778b4e05/html5/thumbnails/11.jpg)
Failed McDonald’s Failed McDonald’s Menu ItemsMenu Items The Arch Deluxe: supposed to appeal to
adult tastes with a secret mustard-mayonnaise sauce
![Page 12: Postwar America at Home, 1945 1960](https://reader035.vdocument.in/reader035/viewer/2022062319/557c6138d8b42a64778b4e05/html5/thumbnails/12.jpg)
Failed McDonald’s Failed McDonald’s Menu ItemsMenu Items The “McLean Deluxe“: Designed for
people watching their weight. It contained Seaweed and water as a replacement for the fat content
![Page 13: Postwar America at Home, 1945 1960](https://reader035.vdocument.in/reader035/viewer/2022062319/557c6138d8b42a64778b4e05/html5/thumbnails/13.jpg)
Failed McDonald’s Failed McDonald’s Menu ItemsMenu Items McPizza
![Page 14: Postwar America at Home, 1945 1960](https://reader035.vdocument.in/reader035/viewer/2022062319/557c6138d8b42a64778b4e05/html5/thumbnails/14.jpg)
Failed McDonald’s Failed McDonald’s Menu ItemsMenu Items The “Hula Burger" -- grilled pineapple
with cheese on a bun
![Page 15: Postwar America at Home, 1945 1960](https://reader035.vdocument.in/reader035/viewer/2022062319/557c6138d8b42a64778b4e05/html5/thumbnails/15.jpg)
Demographic & Demographic & Technology ShiftsTechnology Shifts
![Page 16: Postwar America at Home, 1945 1960](https://reader035.vdocument.in/reader035/viewer/2022062319/557c6138d8b42a64778b4e05/html5/thumbnails/16.jpg)
Population GrowthPopulation Growth During the Great Depression, the
birthrate had dropped to an all-time low The birth rate exploded as millions of
postwar Americans began families (Baby Boom—peak: baby born every 7 seconds)
From 1940 to 1955: U.S. population went from 130 to 165 million
The death rate was also declining due to peacetime and new medical breakthroughs (Dr. Salk—polio vaccine)
![Page 17: Postwar America at Home, 1945 1960](https://reader035.vdocument.in/reader035/viewer/2022062319/557c6138d8b42a64778b4e05/html5/thumbnails/17.jpg)
![Page 18: Postwar America at Home, 1945 1960](https://reader035.vdocument.in/reader035/viewer/2022062319/557c6138d8b42a64778b4e05/html5/thumbnails/18.jpg)
Movement WestMovement West More mobile than ever before; most
headed west and south Cities throughout the Sunbelt South and
West coast saw enormous growth. Air conditioning allowed living in these
areas. Areas are still growing today Population also shifted away from the
traditional city centers to outlying suburbs where housing was cheaper
![Page 19: Postwar America at Home, 1945 1960](https://reader035.vdocument.in/reader035/viewer/2022062319/557c6138d8b42a64778b4e05/html5/thumbnails/19.jpg)
![Page 20: Postwar America at Home, 1945 1960](https://reader035.vdocument.in/reader035/viewer/2022062319/557c6138d8b42a64778b4e05/html5/thumbnails/20.jpg)
![Page 21: Postwar America at Home, 1945 1960](https://reader035.vdocument.in/reader035/viewer/2022062319/557c6138d8b42a64778b4e05/html5/thumbnails/21.jpg)
![Page 22: Postwar America at Home, 1945 1960](https://reader035.vdocument.in/reader035/viewer/2022062319/557c6138d8b42a64778b4e05/html5/thumbnails/22.jpg)
Suburbs—Why?Suburbs—Why?
Urban housing shortage
Cities became crowded
Cheaper, mass-produced housing (Levittown: $52.00 month
FHA Loans Interstates—could
live farther away from work
![Page 23: Postwar America at Home, 1945 1960](https://reader035.vdocument.in/reader035/viewer/2022062319/557c6138d8b42a64778b4e05/html5/thumbnails/23.jpg)
LevittownLevittown
![Page 24: Postwar America at Home, 1945 1960](https://reader035.vdocument.in/reader035/viewer/2022062319/557c6138d8b42a64778b4e05/html5/thumbnails/24.jpg)
American DreamAmerican Dream
![Page 25: Postwar America at Home, 1945 1960](https://reader035.vdocument.in/reader035/viewer/2022062319/557c6138d8b42a64778b4e05/html5/thumbnails/25.jpg)
TechnologyTechnology
The WWII research efforts of the Atomic Commission turned to creating consumer goods (improve transportation, satellites, radios, TVs)
New field of computers also reflected the technology of the era; tiny transistors would help miniaturize computers for use in many items from ovens to vacuum cleaners
![Page 26: Postwar America at Home, 1945 1960](https://reader035.vdocument.in/reader035/viewer/2022062319/557c6138d8b42a64778b4e05/html5/thumbnails/26.jpg)
![Page 27: Postwar America at Home, 1945 1960](https://reader035.vdocument.in/reader035/viewer/2022062319/557c6138d8b42a64778b4e05/html5/thumbnails/27.jpg)
Consensus and Consensus and ConformityConformity
![Page 28: Postwar America at Home, 1945 1960](https://reader035.vdocument.in/reader035/viewer/2022062319/557c6138d8b42a64778b4e05/html5/thumbnails/28.jpg)
Traditional Roles for Men Traditional Roles for Men &Women&Women The necessities of World War II had
interrupted the natural progression of social roles for men and women
Postwar, men and women had different expectations: education and business for men and homemaking and childrearing for women
Slow change during the decade reestablished the working patterns of the war: women found more entry points into corporate America
![Page 29: Postwar America at Home, 1945 1960](https://reader035.vdocument.in/reader035/viewer/2022062319/557c6138d8b42a64778b4e05/html5/thumbnails/29.jpg)
Youth Culture
![Page 30: Postwar America at Home, 1945 1960](https://reader035.vdocument.in/reader035/viewer/2022062319/557c6138d8b42a64778b4e05/html5/thumbnails/30.jpg)
TeenagersTeenagers
A new concept No longer have to work High school became the norm Youth “culture” develops Media targeted to teens Music:
Old New: Elvis New: Ray Charles
![Page 31: Postwar America at Home, 1945 1960](https://reader035.vdocument.in/reader035/viewer/2022062319/557c6138d8b42a64778b4e05/html5/thumbnails/31.jpg)
Politics
![Page 32: Postwar America at Home, 1945 1960](https://reader035.vdocument.in/reader035/viewer/2022062319/557c6138d8b42a64778b4e05/html5/thumbnails/32.jpg)
Truman’s PresidencyTruman’s Presidency Lots of strikes (RR strike—
seized them; threatened to draft workers)
Taft-Hartley Act (outlawed closed shop—Truman veto)
Integrated military—helped Civil Rights Movement
Fair Deal (extension of New Deal—not passed because of Republican Congress)
![Page 33: Postwar America at Home, 1945 1960](https://reader035.vdocument.in/reader035/viewer/2022062319/557c6138d8b42a64778b4e05/html5/thumbnails/33.jpg)
Eisenhower Eisenhower AdministrationAdministration
Courted by both Dems & Reps
Was a moderate (neither Liberal or Conservative)
Interstate Highway System
1957 Civil Rights Act
Little Rock 9