American Life & Culture in the 50’s

1. American Life & Culture in the 50’s US History

2. Postwar America • 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

3. Social Unrest • 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”

4. Postwar Boom • 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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