1. The Postwar Economy Booms

2. Indicators of Affluence in Society Housing Babies Big Business Scientific Advancement Leisurely Activities

3. What are some of the economic indicators of growth during the post WWII years. Car owners – 2 million in 1946 – 8 million in 1955 TVs – 1 million in 1948 – 7.5 million in 1950 GNP – $100,000,000,000 in 1940 – $300,000,000,000 in 1950 US made up 6% of world population and produced half the world’s goods!

4. How were wages affected during the 1950s? Factory Workers – $3,300 in 1950 – $5,300 in 1960 Real Income = – Income adjusted for inflation (rise in prices) – rose 20%! Americans had more discretionary income – Money to buy creature comforts (not just necessities)

5. The Baby Boom Dr. Spock

6. Medical Miracles CPR TB Radiation Treatment Polio

7. How did advertising change in the 1950s? Created new needs and desires through hidden messages Created new needs and desires through hidden messages – Facial cream= beauty – Freezer= plenty – car= status symbol – mouthwash= popularity Used the television to shape Americans minds and make them status conscious

8. Describe Corporate America in the 1950s. Encouraged conformity White collar-workers (office) were told: – How to dress – Which country club to belong to – Points of view (political) Important positions filled with white males Women filled secretarial positions Women filled secretarial positions Minorities shut out

9. How did one’s occupation change in the 1950s. America started to become a Post- Industrial Service centered economy Started to go from factory to white collar (office) jobs

10. How did the automobile affect American society in the 1950s? National Highway Act 1956 – 40,000 miles of federal highways 58 million cars sold in the 1950s! Drive-in economy, food, entertainment People commuted greater distances to work. Suburbs grew – Farmland sold for development – Urban flight Gas consumption increased

11. Social Critics “Little Boxes” The Beat Generation