1. The Post War US

2. Truman Shocks the Nation Election of 1948- Harry Truman defeats Thomas Dewey. Most believed Truman would not win, some news papers already made headlines before the results came in.

3. Truman Inaugural addresses, announced the Fair Deal Fair Deal- vast social reforms Fair Deal- extends social security benefits, increases in minimum wage, and funds for construction of low income housing.

4. The GI Bill Intended to help war vets readjust to life back home GI Bill or Servicemen’s Adjustment Act Provides vets with job priorities, money for school, job training, and loans for purchasing homes and property.

5. The Effects of the GI Bill GI Bill- helps start a social revolution “Common” people can now afford houses Developers start create communities of houses The will result in an increase in suburban housing

6. The Baby Boom Population explosion known as the Baby Boom Baby Boomers- members of the generation born within the first few years after WWII

7. Education Prior to the war- working class people did not go to college GI Bill- allows war vets US population is now more educated Middle class grows College degrees allow for high paying jobs High paying jobs allow families to put their kids into college.

8. Exclusion for African Americans African Americans do not get advances in education. Colleges still segregated Limited number of spaces means African American war vets didn’t get to go to college. Many also lacked formal education prior to war, which hurt their chances

9. Cold War’s Impact on Education 1958-National Defense Act Aid for education and was geared towards boosting the study of science, math, and foreign languages. Intended to help the US get ahead of Soviets in the space race and nuclear arms race.

10. Consumerism Availability of jobs and boom in production means citizens have money. But rationing programs meant people couldn’t spend. The war ends- the late 1940’s and 1950’s, the US is back to a consumer society.

11. New Invention 1950’s the TV becomes popular Automobile industry takes off. People need cars to get them from the suburbs to the city

12. Advertisements One’s status is now judged on what they own. Credit Cards- buy now, then pay over time with interest. People stop saving money, debts increase. Shopping centers become very popular.

13. Women of the 1950s Woman’s place widely believed to be the housewife. Purpose is to raise kids, clean the house, cook the meals, devoted to husband

14. Women of 1950s Books publish “scientific” evidence that women can only achieve happiness through the role of wife and mother. House wife image is reinforced by advertisements and TV After the 1950’s a new group of women will emerge to challenge this idea.

15. African Americans Migrate North 1944- mechanical cotton picker comes out This and other factors led to urban migration of many African Americans Hoped to find better jobs and escape racial problems.

16. African Americans Migrate North Many find crooked landlords, employers that will not hire them, labor unions would not welcome them, and racial violence. Cities respond by making all black housing units Poor conditions lead to urban ghettos Poor housing and lack of education make these ghettos hotbeds for crimes, slum housing, welfare dependency, and gang violence. Some African Americans rise to middle and upper classes, but most remain in urban poverty.

17. Re-Emergence of Religion More people join churches Cold War, Soviet Union Communism advocates atheism – not believing in god. Thus being patriotic means being religious.

18. Re-Emergence of Religion 1954- Congress approves addition of “one nation under god” to pledge 1955- “in god we trust” put on all currency.

19. Mass Media and Religion Churches now advertise to people to get them to attend churches Billy Graham- evangelist Preached messages of positive thinking, assurance that a comfortable life is God’s will

20. Mass Media and Religion Preaching comfort helps push consumerism. Some believe that this approach is misleading giving the social injustices in the US, as well as the pending nuclear arms race.

21. Nuclear Threat and a New Red Scare Despite prosperity, citizens are worried about a nuclear attack Nuclear Arms Race provides for possibility of massive retaliation- responding to attack of nuclear weapon.

22. Nuclear Threat and a New Red Scare Schools practice nuclear attack drills, students are to duck and cover Bomb shelters are sold to average families.

23. The New Red Scare During the great depression many Americans joined communist party, because it offered economic relief. Economic prosperity, and Stalin make Americans hate Communism 1950’s Government harasses anybody with ties to Communism. This is known as the 2 nd red scare.

24. The Government Deals with Communism 1947 National Security Act –Creates department of defense and secretary of defense. National Security Council- to coordinate national security policies

25. The Government Deals with Communism CIA- Central Intelligence Agency- responsible for covert (secret) operations to ensure national security. Top mission of the time was to spy on USSR.

26. HUAC House Un American Activities Committee – responsible for rooting out Communists in government and society 1950-Alger Hiss- convicted of perjury and sent to prison

27. Rosenberg Trial Julius and Ethel- accused of passing secrets about atomic bomb to Soviets. Controversial Trial Guilty of espionage and sentenced to death.

28. Hollywood Ten HUAC charges many in movie making industry having communists links. 10 refused to show up in court, believed it violated their civil rights. Some jailed for contempt for up to a year.

29. Hollywood blacklist Paranoid movie executives denounce Hollywood ten and developed Hollywood blacklist. List consisted of movie industry workers who had Communists ties.

30. Josephy McCarthy Wisconsin Senator Believed Communists had been in high levels of government and military. At first popular, near the end most believe he was paranoid and crazy McCarthyism- ideas and fears of communism voiced by McCarthy and supporters.

31. Preparing for a possible war 1951- Selective Service Act- government can draft men ages 18-26 National Highway Act of 1956 Called for the construction of the interstate highway system

32. Interstate Highway System Improves mobility for citizens Also has military purpose. Improved roads allow military troops and personnel quicker, cities can be evacuated incase of nuclear attacks.

33. Military Industrial Complex Military Industrial Complex- link between US military, the Congress (which allocates money for military spending), and the civilian industry that produces needed military goods. MIC- becomes very important during the cold war

34. A New Youth Culture Kids, never experienced a depression, or world war. Teens have more economic advantages than their parents.

35. A New Youth Culture Radios greatly improve Rock star= Elvis Presley British Invasion= long haired bands like Beatles and Rolling Stones. These will develop to the growth of the counter culture- youth that rejects the traditional way of life.