Life in the 1950s

US History: Spiconardi

Consumer SpendingAfter World War II, Americans were

ready, able, & willing to spend their moneyFactories had converted from producing

military supplies to consumer goodsMany had saved up from wartime jobs

Consumer Spending

Consumer Spending

SuburbanizationThanks to “baby boom” & GI Bill there

was a rise in new homesBuilding outside of major cities begins

Levittowns nearly identical homes built on treeless lots; mass production of houses

ImpactDecline of the Cities

Fewer taxpayers not enough funds for services Greater concentration of poor in the cities puts a strain

on cities due to demand for social services

Suburbanization

Automobile Cars made growth of

suburbs possible and in turn caused greater demand for cars

Helped steel, rubber, & glass industries

Caused America’s dependence on oil & pollution

AutomobileFederal Highway Act of 1956

Largest public works program in US History$31 billion dollars to construct over 40,000 miles

of roadways Intended to facilitate commerce & allow military

to move about the countryHelped integrated South into national

economyExpands metropolitan areas

(suburbanization)

TelevisionImpact

Education/NewsHomogenized culture Increases consumerism via advertisingAlters sense of reality?Less socialization?Hurt movie industry?

Rock-n-Roll

Seen as the music of the devil

Associated with rebellious teens

Led to moral depravity (Elvis hip swivel)

Education

After Sputnik, US makes education a matter of national security National Defense

Education Act (1958) Funded programs in

math, science, and foreign language

Bomb Shelters & Air Raid Drills

Bomb Shelters & Air Raid Drills

0.6mi.0.6mi.

1.7mi1.7mi

1A1A

2.7mi2.7mi

1B1B

5 mi

1C

7.5 mi

1D

30 mi

2A

90 mi90 mi

2B2B 160 mi160 mi

2C2C

3A3A

3B3B 3C3C

3D