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

U.S. History 11. American Economy and Ideals: The 1950’s and 60’s. 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.

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

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  1. U.S. History 11 American Economy and Ideals: The 1950’s and 60’s

  2. 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

  3. 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.”

  4. 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

  5. Turn to a Neighbor and discuss: • Why didn’t the military industry fall, as it did after WWI?

  6. 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

  7. 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

  8. 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

  9. 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

  10. 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

  11. 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?

  12. 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%

  13. 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

  14. 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

  15. 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

  16. 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

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