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19.2 The American Dream in the Fifties

19.2 The American Dream in the Fifties. Niki , Brad, Christine Period 5 8 May 2008. The Rise of Big Buisness. Organization and the Organization of Man-

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19.2 The American Dream in the Fifties

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  1. 19.2 The American Dream in the Fifties Niki, Brad, Christine Period 5 8 May 2008

  2. The Rise of Big Buisness Organization and the Organization of Man- • During the 1950’s, businesses expanded rapidly. By the mid 1950’s, people who used to hold blue collar industrial jobs were now being drawn to white collar managerial jobs. • During the 1950’s, The United States’ economy changed from a focus on agriculture and industry to a nation of business. Conglomerates- • A conglomerate is a major corporation that includes a number of smaller companies in unrelated industries. • Throughout the United States new businesses were being created. Businesses that did well expanded their customers to nations outside the United States. These companies were conglomerates; superpower businesses that could profit over a million dollars a year.

  3. The Suburban Life The Baby Boom • Baby boom- the largest generation in the nation’s history • The Baby Boom was a population explosion as soldiers returned from WWII and settled into family life • In 1957 a total of 4,308,000 infants were born. Advances in Medicine in Childcare • Dr. Jonas Salk developed a vaccine for polio myelities-polio • Many parents raised their kids according to Common Sense Book of Baby and Childcare • The sharp increase in elementary school enrollment caused overcrowding and teacher shortages.

  4. Women’s Roles • During the 50s homemakers and mothers were glorified in the media • However 1/5 of women felt isolated, board, and unfulfilled • Number of women working outside the house rose: -Career opportunities were limited to nursing, teaching, office support, and less official and low paying jobs Leisure in the Fifties • With little work hours and labor saving devices people had more time than ever • Fortune Magazine reported that in 1953, Americans spent more than 30 billion on leisure goods and activates • Popular activates were; fishing, boating, golf and attending baseball and football

  5. The Automobile CultureAfter the war, however, an abundance of both imported and domestically produced petroleum-the raw material from which gasoline is made-led to inexpensive, plentiful fuel for consumers. Auto mania • Many suburban homes were not within walking distance of work or schools and required cars for transportation. The Interstate Highway • President Eisenhower authorized the building of a nationwide highway network in 1956 - 41,000 miles of expressways • Gave Americans opportunities to travel the country and united the nation on a mental level -Disneyland attracted 3 million visitors the next year Mobility Takes Its Toll • Automobile industry provided jobs -drive-in movies, restaurants, etc. • Accidents occur, stress levels rise from traffic jams, noise and exhaust pollution • Public transportation declined, and poor people in the inner cities were often left without jobs and vital services.

  6. Consumerism Unbound Consumerism- buying material goods New Products • Appliances- washing machines, dryers, blenders, freezers became the common necessity • People invested in recreational items- TV's, record players, etc. Planned Obsolescence • In order to encourageconsumers to purchase more goods, manufacturers purposely designed products to become obsolete- that is, to wear out or become outdated in a short time • Becoming a “throw-away” society Buy Now, Pay Later • The First credit card was made in 1950 and consumers bought purchases on credit - American Express was made in 1958 • During the decade, the total private debt grew from $73 billion to $179 billion • Americans overly confident in prosperity and spent more than saving

  7. Continued… The Advertising Age • Capitalist society encourages advertising • Ads for products could be found anywhere-billboards • Advertisers spent about $6 billion in 1950; by 1955 the figure was up to $9 billion • Ad executives targeted psychology to get people to buy things that they did notneed • Television commercials were popular for advertising -first commercial in 1941 cost $9 - 2001, 30 second commercial cost $2.2 million • Television had become not only the medium for mass transmission of cultural values, but a symbol of popular culture itself

  8. Questions • The largest generation in the nation’s history are the The millennials The baby boomers The pre WWI generation The late 19th century generation • What were some of the job opportunities avablible to women? Office support Nursing Teaching All of the above • What development saved millions of life from a crippiling disease in the 50s? The automobile The game of golf The polio vaccine Kitchen appliances

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