American Economy and Ideals: The 1950’s and 60’s

U.S. History 11

Video Clips

“I Love Lucy” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HFfvvSi1gLc

“Leave it to Beaver” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sam9wP_uMEA

“The Brady Bunch” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mgb9B3-N8Cc

Post-War Booms

“Baby Boom”- began in 1946 a record number of babies (3.4 million)

were born in the U.S. ~ 4 million babies were born each year

during the 1950s By the time the boom finally slowed in

1964, there were almost 77 million “baby boomers.”

Post-War Booms

Growing Economy: From 1945 to 1960, the GNP more than

doubled—growing from $200 billion to more than $500 billion

Due to: construction of interstate highways and schools, the distribution of veterans’ benefits and the increase in military spending▪ Spending on goods like airplanes and computers

Less factory jobs, more service jobs leads to a rising middle class

Turn to a Neighbor and discuss:

Why didn’t the military industry fall, as it did after WWI?

Post-War Booms

Economy and Consumerism Unemployment and inflation were low Wages were high Middle-class people had more money to

spend and had more things to buy! Also have the creation of the

International Monetary Fund and the World Bank▪ these institutions were to ensure an open,

capitalist international economy

America at Rest

Americans spread out, migrating more evenly across the country

Business sector shifts to more information and service industries

Work days average 8 hours Educational opportunities expand All impacts more opportunities for

leisure activities

America at Rest

Leisure Amusement parks Bicycling and tennis Spectator sports Public libraries and museums Shopping! ▪ Department and chain stores▪ Increased advertising ▪ Mail order catalogues

Suburbia

Developers began buying land on the outskirts of cities Used mass production techniques to

build modest, inexpensive homes The G.I. Bill subsidized low-cost

mortgages for returning soldiers Creation of the “Nuclear Family”

Typically envisioned as the Mom, Dad, Son, and Daughter living in a single family (suburban) home

The “Car Culture”

Car ownership jumped to 60 million registered vehicles by 1960

With the suburban commute, people became more dependent on their cars

Also aided by the creation of the Interstate Highway System Interstate Highway Act of 1956 Dwight D. Eisenhower Created 41,000 miles of highway

In the margins of your notes:

Why would people be motivated to buy and move outside the city if jobs were still located in the city?

Women’s Roles

Glorified the role of homemaker and mother

Many were dissatisfied with their lives

During this time the number of women working outside the home begins to steadily increase By 1960, 40%

Dissent and Discontent

Although materialism has increased, quality of life hasn’t really changed

Minority groups are excluded and suffer Beatniks reject middle-class life Despite affluence, ¼ of Americans lived

in poverty Cities suffer economically, crime

increases- “inner city” Rural areas suffer-small farms and

businesses can’t compete with corporations and large farm owners

Dissent and Discontent

“Other Americans” Puerto Ricans- American, but discriminated

against▪ No political power, clustered in poor areas, poor

education and job opportunities Mexican Americans- exploited and cheated

through the Braceros program▪ “Legalized slavery”

Native Americans- Termination policy in 1953▪ End tribal government and relocate tribes to cities▪ End federal health and welfare aid▪ Encouraged assimilation

1960’s Preview

Remember, at this time a lot is going on that still affects the economy:

Civil Rights becomes a more solidified and expansive movement

Presidential impacts of Eisenhower, JFK, and LBJ

Vietnam War begins The Radical 60’s takes off with the

resurgence of ideas of feminism and a new “hippie” culture

1960’s

Possibility of “The Golden Age” JFK becomes president, with ideas of the

“New Frontier” a package of laws and reforms that sought to

eliminate injustice and inequality in the U.S. LBJ takes office four years later with

similar ideals: “The Great Society” In which poverty and racial injustice had no

place Both hoped to continue the trend of

economic growth