American Life & Culture in the 50’s

US History

Review: What do we know about the American economy during WWII?

Conversion from a wartime to peacetime economy took its toll ◦ Many people working in war industries were laid off. This, coupled with the return of millions of veterans,

caused the unemployment rate to rise. ◦ Inflation also occurred because the price controls instituted during the war were allowed to expire in the

summer of 1946. ◦ Divorce rates soared as well, as many women resented relinquishing the independence they had gained

GI Bill of Rights (1944)◦ Subsidized veterans’ tuition, offered low-interest, federally-backed loans, and provided unemployment benefits

Strong consumer demand mitigated the impact of economic readjustment◦ Americans had $135 billion in savings from war bonds, service pay, and defense work◦ After being deprived of goods due to shortages, Americans were ready to spend and bought rampantly (cars,

houses) rise of suburbs ◦ Led to the 50’s economic boom and a higher standard of living ◦ Cold War’s positive impact on the economy: high gov’t spending

Postwar America

4.5 million workers, mostly steelworkers, coalminers, and railroad workers went on strike in 1946, protesting higher prices and lower wages◦ Truman threatened to draft the strikers into the army, which caused them to back down

Violence in the South increased following WWII◦ Review: What do we know about life in the South for African-Americans?◦ African-Americans, especially those who had served in the war, demanded their full rights as

citizens ◦ Truman created a President’s Commission on Civil Rights (1946) asked Congress to pass a

federal anti-lynching law, a ban on the poll tax, and a permanent civil rights commission◦ Congress refused to support any of these measures◦ In 1948, Truman issued an executive order calling for the integration of the army and an end to

discriminatory practices in hiring gov’t employees

Southern Democrats created the States’ Rights Party in protest and became known as “Dixiecrats”

Social Unrest

As the 50’s dawned, the economy was thriving and Americans enjoyed the highest standard of living in the world◦ Shift from blue to white-collar jobs ◦ Growth of franchises, such McDonald’s ◦ Increased leisure time to spend on activities, such as attending sporting events and watching

television/movies

Increased wealth led to an unprecedented population explosion, known as the baby boom

Postwar Boom

Suburbanization During the late 40’s and continuing into the 50’s Americans

moved to homes in planned communities outside of cities known as suburbs

Suburbanization led to a dramatic increase in automobile purchases, as they were necessary for transportation to jobs in the city

Interstate Highway Act (1956)◦ Signed by Eisenhower, it created a 41,000 mile network of expressways stretching across the

nation◦ Made trucking a viable means of transporting goods decline of the commercial use of railways◦ Increased suburbanization, as wealthy citizens left cities growing income gap between cities

and suburbs

The ideal woman during this time was a homemaker who did her household duties with a smile◦ Many women felt unfulfilled with this role, however

Advertising & Consumerism Americans’ affluence led to growing consumerism, the buying of

material goods◦ New products: washing machines, dryers, dishwashers, TVs, lawn mowers…etc◦ Planned obsolescence - constantly introducing new products to make old ones

irrelevant

Advertising exploded with the proliferation of new media, such as television ◦ Ad executives appealed to Americans’ desire for belongingness and status

The Arts Popularity of TV

◦ “I Love Lucy,” “Father Knows Best,” “Leave It to Beaver”◦ Most shows portrayed women in stereotypical roles African Americans, Latinos and

other minorities were barely depicted at all

Rise of divergent sub-culture◦ “Beat Movement” in literature Jack Kerouac, Allen Ginsberg, William S. Burroughs◦ Emergence of rock ‘n’ roll Chuck Berry, Elvis Presley, Little Richard, Buddy Holly