1950’s Culture

1. 1950’s Culture

2. Vocabulary Words and Phrases GI Bill of Rights – eased the return of World War II veterans by providing education and employment aid baby boom – increase in births between 1945 and 1964 Taft-Hartley Act – a law that restricted the power of labor unions; outlawed the closed shop, a workplace in which only union members can be hired Fair Deal – President Truman’s program to expand New Deal reforms

3. Vocabulary Words and Phrases Interstate Highway Act – 1956 law that authorized the spending of $32 billion to build 41,000 miles of highway franchise business – to allow a company to distribute its products or services through retail outlets owned by independent operators multinational corporation – companies that produce and sell their goods and services all over the world consumerism − large-scale buying, much of it on credit

4. Vocabulary Words and Phrases median family income − measure of average family income nuclear family − ideal or typical household with a father, mother, and children rock-and-roll − music originated in the gospel and blues traditions of African Americans Elvis Presley − iconic American singer whose success sparked the popularity of rock-and-roll music in the 1950s

5. Vocabulary Words and Phrases • beatniks − small group of writers and artists, in the 1950s and early 1960s, who were critical of American society • inner city − the older, central part of a city with crowded neighborhoods in which low-income, usually minority, groups live • urban renewal − government programs for redevelopment of urban areas • termination policy− ended all programs monitored by the Bureau of Indian Affairs; ended federal responsibility for the health and welfare of Native Americans

6. 1950s Edition

7. Rules and Objectives: • Just like the real game you will face a series of choices throughout the game. • The Object of the game is to make the best choices and build wealth (use prior knowledge and intuition of the era to help you). • I am the bank and you can take out loans/credit • Everyone starts with $300 • Added bonuses for answering questions (at my discretion) #1 I need Volunteers #2 I need everyone to right down a number between 1-99

8. President Truman has begun the process of demobilization. • Millions of Americans would be looking to reintegrate into society • Many Americans worry about what this will mean for the country and the Economy.

9. After World War II, many citizens and economists feared the country would fall into a widespread depression. • Contracts to produce military goods were cancelled and millions of defense workers lost their jobs. • An end to rationing and price controls – plus a demand for goods – fueled inflation. Stock option A Stock option B

10. To help veterans, the federal government enacted the GI Bill of Rights. Volunteers earned $2,000 throughout WWII Drafted earned $500 Both Groups now have access to the GI Bill throughout the rest of the game (Cheaper college tuition, VA home loan).

11. Get Back to Work! • America’s Economy is now shifting back to a peace time economy and consumer goods. • Time to pick a job: • 1) Manufacturing/Agriculture sector • 2) Service sector • 3)Information sector

12. Worker productivity continued to improve, largely because of new technology. During the postwar period, the U.S. economy benefitted from technological advances, such as atomic power, computers, and plastics. The economy also got a boost from federal defense spending for the Korean War and from foreign demand for U.S. goods caused by the Marshall Plan.

13. For the first time in American history, more people found employment in the service sectorthan in the manufacturing sector. Manufacturing sector jobs will make $80 a week Service sector jobs will make $200 a week

14. The new white-collar workforce included many who worked in information industries. • The information industries often used computers. • By the 1960s, the government and private industry had found many uses for the computer. Information sector will make $300 a week

15. Other Changes in the Economy Payday

16. President Harry Truman had to preside over one of the more difficult times in American history. The most painful was skyrocketing prices. The post-war U.S. did not experience unemployment or a renewed depression, but it did have serious economic problems. Prices rose about 18 percent in 1946, and the prices of some products doubled. • The Cold War was beginning and there were communist takeovers in Europe and Asia. • The U.S. faced inflation and labor unrest at home. Payday

17. Employers refused to meet labor’s demands. Trade unionists demanded pay increases to keep up with inflation. Millions of steel, coal, railroad, and automotive workers went on strike, prompting Congress to enact the Taft-Hartley Act over Truman’s veto. Payday

18. Truman established a special committee on civil rights to investigate race relations. The committee made several recommendations for reforms, but Congress rejected them all. Truman desegregated the military, which did not need Congressional approval. Payday

19. By spring 1948, Truman’s standing had sunk so low that few thought he could win election that fall. However, Truman managed the political upset of the century, beating three other candidates, two of them from new political parties. Payday

20. Shortly after the election, Truman announced a far-ranging legislative program he called the Fair Deal. • The Fair Deal was meant to strengthen existing New Deal reforms and establish new programs, such as national health insurance. • But Congress rejected most of Truman’s Fair Deal proposals. Payday

21. Popular, charming Republican candidate Dwight D. Eisenhower won the presidency that year, beating Democrat Adlai Stevenson. Legislative failure and a stalled war in Korea contributed to Truman’s loss of popularity, and he did not seek reelection in 1952. The public believed that Eisenhower would walk the line between liberal and conservative political positions, and he did not disappoint. Payday

22. Between 1945 and 1960, the nation’s gross national product (GNP) more than doubled. The strong U.S economy went a long way toward making his presidency one of the most prosperous, peaceful, and politically tranquil in the 20th century.

23. You have a stable job, now what? With the Great Depression and the war behind them, many returning soldiers quickly married and started families. Payday Roll the Dice

24. Number rolled = number of children (pay $200 per child for hospital fees) The result was a postwar baby boom. Between 1940 and 1955, the U.S. population experienced its greatest increase, growing 27 percent from about 130 to about 165 million. Payday

25. More so than in the past, family life revolved around children. • The best-selling book of the era was Dr. Benjamin Spock’s Common Sense Book of Baby and Child Care, which stressed nurturing. • Parents spent a great deal of money on clothes, toys, and other items for their children. • Baby boomer teens had an even greater impact on the economy. Roll the dice Payday

26. By 1960, the wide-spread distribution of Dr. Jonas Salk’s polio vaccine had nearly eliminated the disease. At the same time, antibiotics came into wide use, helping to control numerous infectious diseases. These medical advances, plus a better diet, increased children’s life expectancy. Number rolled x $100 = expenses of your kids

27. Family; Check. Now where do we live? Between 1940 and 1960, 40 million Americans moved to the suburbs, one of the largest mass migrations in history. • Because few houses were built during the war, the U.S. had a severe shortage of urban housing. • Newly married veterans who needed housing looked to the suburbs.

28. Pick a home #1 #2 #3 Payday

29. Rural regions and older industrial cities suffered dramatic declines in population. Payday

30. Payday

31. Another crucial trend of the postwar era was the growth of the Sunbelt. Factors that drew people to the Sunbelt included its warm, appealing climate and new jobs in the defense, aerospace, electronics, and petrochemical industries. Payday

32. As Americans moved to the suburbs and the Sunbelt, these areas: • gained political power with increased congressional representation. • faced more environmental concerns such as air pollution and water shortages. Payday

33. At this time of peak demand, developers began to quickly build affordable housing. William Levitt built three Levittowns—in New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania—which became blueprints for other suburbs soon springing up across the country. Payday

34. Home Prices #1 $3000 #2 $1500 WWII Vets: $500 for each #3 $2000 Home owners insurance? Half the price of the house

35. As populations increased, suburbs became self-contained communities with shops, schools, and police departments. New home buyers received low-interest home loans courtesy of the GI Bill of Rights and the Federal Housing Administration (FHA). Some suburbanites used public transportation, but many needed cars to commute to work and to shop at suburban shopping malls. Payday

36. Does your suburb become a town? • Must vote yes or no • If yes elect a mayor If yes tax time for services: $500 If no you still pay taxes to the bigger city next door for services: $1000 Payday Mayor gets $500 bonus for outstanding leadership

37. Now how do you get to and from work? • Pick a Car #1 #2 #3

38. The number of registered automobiles jumped from 26 million in 1945 to 60 million in 1960. Pipe in your house breaks; floods the basement. If insured its covered, if not $1500 Payday

39. #1 $1000 #2 $2500 #3 $500 Payday Buy car insurance? $300

40. The postwar period saw changes in types of businesses and in the labor movement. • Franchise businesses were attractive to consumers craving quality and consistency. • Multinational corporations expanded. • Although many new white-collar workers did not join unions and labor’s image was tarnished by a corruption scandal, the AFL-CIO still had a great deal of political clout. Payday

41. After the war, more people were able to complete high school and attend college. A more educated workforce boosted productivity. • Local and state governments provided most of the funding for education. • But after the Soviets launched Sputnik 1 in 1957, Congress approved the $1 billion National Defense Education Act, aimed at producing more scientists and science teachers. Payday

42. Go to College? If you have the GI bill $200 If you don’t $1000

43. As the U.S. economy began to boom in the postwar era, Americans were caught up in a wave of consumerism. • During the 1950s, median family incomerose, so Americans had more money to spend. • Companies introduced credit cards and encouraged buying on credit. • Supermarkets and shopping centers sprouted, and shopping became a new pastime. Tree falls on your car If you have insurance it is replaced $500 Payday

44. Sales of TVs skyrocketed during the 1950s. Children’s shows had huge followings, and baby boomers became the first generation to grow up watching TV. Sitcoms, which reflected 1950s ideals, told the stories of happy families with few real-lifeproblems. Payday

45. Television, along with radio and movies, helped shape a mass national culture. • Because Americans were exposed to the same shows and advertisements, the media helped erode distinct regional and ethnic cultures. • Starting with the 1952 presidential campaign, television changed political campaigns by allowing citizens to see the candidates in action.

46. Washing machines, dryers, refrigerators, and stoves transformed housework by lessening its physical demands. Home appliances topped the list of the goods that Americans bought. Buy a dishwasher? $100 Buy a new stove? $200 Americans bought televisions in record numbers, and by the end of the 1950s, 90 percent of all U.S. households owned one.

47. But when the war ended, most women returned to being homemakers, which is what society expected of them at that time. Women who wanted a career outside the home faced social pressure to rethink their decision. During World War II, many women—includingmarried womenwith children—had worked in factories. Payday

48. Society stressed the importance of the nuclear family. Magazines, TV shows, and movies reinforced the image of the “ideal” American homemaker. College graduation gets you a new job and bonus: New Pay at $500 and a $500 bonus!

49. But as the 1950s progressed, more women were willing to challenge the view that women should not have careers outside the home. By 1960, women held one-third of the nation’s jobs, and half of these women workers were married. Payday Dishwasher breaks; must fix $100