1 / 9

Chapter 19 Section 2 The American Dream in the Fifties

Chapter 19 Section 2 The American Dream in the Fifties. MAIN IDEA: During the 1950’s the economy boomed, and many Americans enjoyed material comfort. The Organization and the Organization Man.

dawn
Télécharger la présentation

Chapter 19 Section 2 The American Dream in the Fifties

An Image/Link below is provided (as is) to download presentation Download Policy: Content on the Website is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use and may not be sold / licensed / shared on other websites without getting consent from its author. Content is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use only. Download presentation by click this link. While downloading, if for some reason you are not able to download a presentation, the publisher may have deleted the file from their server. During download, if you can't get a presentation, the file might be deleted by the publisher.

E N D

Presentation Transcript

  1. Chapter 19 Section 2The American Dream in the Fifties MAIN IDEA: During the 1950’s the economy boomed, and many Americans enjoyed material comfort.

  2. The Organization and the Organization Man • By 1956 the majority of Americans no longer held blue-collar (industrial jobs), more people worked in higher-paid, white –collar jobs • Many worked at Conglomerates: A major corporation that includes a number of smaller companies in related industries • Franchise: a company that offers similar products or services in many locations…example: McDonald’s

  3. Social Conformity • Many Americans became standardized just like the food industry • Loss of individuality-Businesses did not want creative thinkers or rebels • The Organization Man- Book based on a classic 1956 study… described how the new, large organizations created “company people” • Personality tests were given to make sure people fit in • American Dream? Conformity replaced Individuality

  4. The Suburban Lifestyle • Job security allowed families to provide the “good things” in life • Suburbs embodied the American Dream • BABY BOOM-birthrate after WWII soared ( 1957, 1 infant born every 7 seconds) • Largest generation in history • Marriage age decreased

  5. ADVANCES IN MEDICINE AND CHILDCARE • Dr. Jonas Salk-a vaccine for polio • Many women raised children according to a guide by author and pediatrician Dr. Benjamin Spock: Common Sense Book of Baby and Child Care • Advised not to spank or scold children • Toy sales went up • School enrollment went up=teacher shortage

  6. WOMENS ROLES • Role of homemaker and mother was glorified in magazines • Time magazine identified the homemaker as “the key figure in all suburbia…the keeper of the American Dream” • Most women however felt discontentment, isolated, bored, & unfulfilled • Betty Friedan-author of The Feminine Mystique (described identity crisis)

  7. LEISURE IN THE FIFTIES • More leisure time than before • 40-hour workweek w/ vacation • Labor saving devices-washing machines, dishwashers, lawnmowers • Participation in sports; fishing, bowling, hunting and golf increased • More watched sports on television • Americans became avid readers; Reader’s Digest and Sports Illustrated peaked

  8. AUTOMOBILE CULTURE • Easy credit and advertising allowed many to buy cars • Suburban living made owning a car a necessity-no public transportation • “Automania”-led to interstates and highways • Cars spurred jobs in areas such as: drive in movies, malls, and restaurants

  9. CONSUMERISM UNBOUND • Consumerism-buying material goods, came to be equated with success • Brand goods become more popular • Planned Obsolescence- manufacturers made goods that were obsolete; wear out or become outdated quickly • Credit Cards became more popular-American Express • Private debt grew at a fast rate • Advertising became a powerful tool

More Related