19501950’s’s“The Golden Years”

Eisenhower as PresidentEisenhower as President

Promised a “middle course”Helped to make a time of growth and

prosperityIke kept most new deal programs

◦created the Depts. of Health, Education, and Welfare

◦increased minimum wage◦expanded social security

The G.I. BillThe G.I. Bill

G.I.-Government IssueServiceman

Readjustment Act◦ Provided funding for

education◦ Provided low-interest

loans for housing◦ Provided unemployment

compensation for 1 year Included women and

minorities

Employment During the 50sEmployment During the 50s

During the 1950s, businesses expanded rapidly◦White-collar jobs

more common◦Sales,

advertising, and communications

During the 1950s, businesses expanded rapidly◦White-collar jobs

more common◦Sales,

advertising, and communications

CarsCars Auto manufacturers

and oil companies vaulted to the top ranks of corporate America

Main form of transportation from the 1930s to the present

Allows suburbs to expand

Changes to car designs begins

Interstate Interstate Highway Act Highway Act

of 1956of 1956

Largest public Largest public works project in works project in American historyAmerican history

◦Cost $32 billion.Cost $32 billion.

◦41,000 mi41,000 miles of les of new highways builtnew highways built

Interstate Highway Act of Interstate Highway Act of 19561956

TravelingTraveling

Disneyland opened in 1955, it was the 1st artificial, kid friendly park

Thanks to cars and jetliners, we could go almost anywhere.

The new interstate highways made it easy for families to drive to amusement parks and tourist areas like Wisconsin Dells and Wildwood, New Jersey. ◦ Newlyweds honeymooned in the

Poconos, and many Jewish families from New York City spent their summers in the Catskills.

Thanks to cars and jetliners, we could go almost anywhere.

The new interstate highways made it easy for families to drive to amusement parks and tourist areas like Wisconsin Dells and Wildwood, New Jersey. ◦ Newlyweds honeymooned in the

Poconos, and many Jewish families from New York City spent their summers in the Catskills.

TravelingTraveling

When it came to choosing a vacation destination in the 1950s, the sky was the limit.....literally.

For those who could afford it, jet travel was considered quite glamorous, and the destinations were glamorous, too: Miami....Paris....Hawaii....Rome....Havana

Warm-weather climates, especially Florida, saw a boost in tourism thanks to jet travel and the increased use of air-conditioning

Warm-weather climates, especially Florida, saw a boost in tourism thanks to jet travel and the increased use of air-conditioning

Moving to the SuburbsMoving to the Suburbs

Levittown, L. I.: “The American Levittown, L. I.: “The American Dream”Dream”

1949 - William 1949 - William Levitt Levitt ◦Created 1Created 1stst

“suburban” “suburban” communitycommunity

◦Produced 150 Produced 150 houses per weekhouses per week

◦$7,990 or $7,990 or $60/month with no $60/month with no down payment.down payment.

New “American Dream”New “American Dream”

Suburban LivingSuburban Living

SHIFTS IN POPULATION DISTRIBUTION, SHIFTS IN POPULATION DISTRIBUTION, 1940-19601940-1960

1940 1950 1960

Central Cities

31.6% 32.3% 32.6%

Suburbs 19.5% 23.8% 30.7%

Rural Areas/Small Towns

48.9% 43.9% 36.7%

Baby boom- is a sharp increase in the US birthrate after WWII

In 1957, every 7 seconds there was a baby born.

Social Conformity

•Conform-to go along with the beliefs and ideas of the majority

•Women were the “keepers of the suburban dream”

ToysToys

Many toy fads started in the 50s, things like the slinky and silly putty were common things to find a home. Coonskin caps and Mr. Potato heads were more common for boys to play with. While girls played with hula hoops and Barbie dolls.

Many toy fads started in the 50s, things like the slinky and silly putty were common things to find a home. Coonskin caps and Mr. Potato heads were more common for boys to play with. While girls played with hula hoops and Barbie dolls.

Movies and TelevisionMovies and Television

Movies-Hollywood made many westerns, musicals, and romances

Television-50s sitcoms featured cheerful moms who kept spotless houses while the dads worked to support the family◦did not show reality-instead they showed the

“ideal” family◦most popular show I Love Lucy

Movies-Hollywood made many westerns, musicals, and romances

Television-50s sitcoms featured cheerful moms who kept spotless houses while the dads worked to support the family◦did not show reality-instead they showed the

“ideal” family◦most popular show I Love Lucy

Popular TVPopular TV

In 1946, there were 7,000 TV sets in the U. S.In 1946, there were 7,000 TV sets in the U. S. By 1950, there were 50,000,000 TV sets in the U.S.By 1950, there were 50,000,000 TV sets in the U.S.

In 1946, there were 7,000 TV sets in the U. S.In 1946, there were 7,000 TV sets in the U. S. By 1950, there were 50,000,000 TV sets in the U.S.By 1950, there were 50,000,000 TV sets in the U.S.

American BandstandAmerican Bandstand

Dick Clark’s “American Bandstand” was a way for the new artists to perform for the nation

Doo-Wop and Doo-Wop and Rock’n’RollRock’n’Roll

Doo-Wop was a form of rhythm and blues that emerged from the northeastern industrial cities, it was one of the most mainstream music styles in the 50s.Rock’n’Roll is a genre that evolved from a combination of blues, country, jazz, and gospel music.

Popular Music Popular Music

As Rock’n’Roll increased in

popularity, so did dancing. Many cities held sock hops for young people enjoy.

Teenage Teenage Life Life

•Teen trends:• going steady• Cruising• sock-hops• getting pinned• wearing your

boyfriend's class ring (on a chain orwrapped with yarn because it was too big)

• that crazy rock & roll music

• hanging out at the malt shop

• having a crush on the latest teen idol

Women’s Fashion in the 1950sWomen’s Fashion in the 1950s

Fifties clothing was conservative. Women wore dresses with pinched waists and high heels. Teens wore poodle skirts, saddle shoes, and ponytails.

1950s Fashion1950s Fashion

Men’s fashion during the 1950s consisted of gray flannel suits. Teens wore jeans, reminiscent of James Dean, with t-shirts and flat tops.

CountercultureCounterculture

Beatniks-resisted the shallowness of conformity (“square” society)◦Rock’n’Roll-was the music that “squares” did

not think was appropriate

Slang and LingoSlang and Lingo

Dig

DollyFlickHipPadPeepersRadioactiveRapSpaz

ThreadsWailWet Rag

To Understand; approve

Cute GirlMovieCoolHomeGlassesVery PopularTo tattle on someoneSomeone who is

uncoordinatedClothesGo fastSomeone who’s no

fun

ConsumerismConsumerism

Consumer - person buying goods or paying for services◦television and magazine ads picture

“ideal” homes◦include washing machines, vacuums,

televisions, and record players

Consumer - person buying goods or paying for services◦television and magazine ads picture

“ideal” homes◦include washing machines, vacuums,

televisions, and record players

1950s Advertising

1950s Advertising1950s Advertising