The Postwar Home U.S. History 11Hr Laura Coleman U.S. History 11Hr Laura Coleman

Postwar Economy People saved money during the war Looking to buy things that they were denied during the war and depression Per capita income increased from $1,223 to $2,219 (1945 to 1960). GNP more than doubled; from $212 billion in 1945 to $504 billion in People saved money during the war Looking to buy things that they were denied during the war and depression Per capita income increased from $1,223 to $2,219 (1945 to 1960). GNP more than doubled; from $212 billion in 1945 to $504 billion in 1960.

Different ways of doing business Conglomerates Large corporation that owned many small different companies Safety in diversification Examples (International Telephone and Telegraph purchased Axis Rent-a-Car, Sheraton Hotels, & Continental Banking). Franchises Gave individuals the chance to own a business with a small amount of money but with the support of a large parent company Contributed to chains replacing small, unique stores Conglomerates Large corporation that owned many small different companies Safety in diversification Examples (International Telephone and Telegraph purchased Axis Rent-a-Car, Sheraton Hotels, & Continental Banking). Franchises Gave individuals the chance to own a business with a small amount of money but with the support of a large parent company Contributed to chains replacing small, unique stores

Technology Developments in technology also spurred industrial growth. Businesses produced hundreds of new products, e.g. dishwashers and gas- powered lawnmowers. Televisions also became a common household item. Developments in technology also spurred industrial growth. Businesses produced hundreds of new products, e.g. dishwashers and gas- powered lawnmowers. Televisions also became a common household item.

Television Two-thirds of American families had TV’s by 1953 In 1955, the average American family watched 4 to 5 hours a day. The large networks controlled television programming and they raised money to broadcast shows by selling advertising. Two-thirds of American families had TV’s by 1953 In 1955, the average American family watched 4 to 5 hours a day. The large networks controlled television programming and they raised money to broadcast shows by selling advertising.

New Technology Computers Grace Hopper at Harvard created software than runs computers. Scientists at Bell Telephone Laboratories invented transistors- smaller, more efficient machines Nuclear power Peaceful use of atomic power Produced nuclear-powered submarine and nuclear power plant on land. Medicine Polo vaccine – Dr. Salk and Dr. Thomas (1954) Advancements in antibiotics (penicillin) and surgical techniques Computers Grace Hopper at Harvard created software than runs computers. Scientists at Bell Telephone Laboratories invented transistors- smaller, more efficient machines Nuclear power Peaceful use of atomic power Produced nuclear-powered submarine and nuclear power plant on land. Medicine Polo vaccine – Dr. Salk and Dr. Thomas (1954) Advancements in antibiotics (penicillin) and surgical techniques

Work Force Machines replaced many factory workers (automation) Young serviceman had earned college degrees. White collar vs. blue collar Work was less exhausting and conditions were clean. Blue collar workers moved into the middle class. Service vs. manufacturing Employees lost the connection with their product Machines replaced many factory workers (automation) Young serviceman had earned college degrees. White collar vs. blue collar Work was less exhausting and conditions were clean. Blue collar workers moved into the middle class. Service vs. manufacturing Employees lost the connection with their product

Babies and houses More money and stable jobs = baby boom In 1957, there were more than 25 births per 1,000 people vs. 19 births per 1,000 people during the Depression. Bigger families = need for bigger houses People left the cities for the suburbs. GI Bill - allowed veterans to get low interest loans Levittowns- William Levitt catered to the demand for housing. He built new communities in weeks instead of months. New houses looked the same, but many more people were able to afford them. More money and stable jobs = baby boom In 1957, there were more than 25 births per 1,000 people vs. 19 births per 1,000 people during the Depression. Bigger families = need for bigger houses People left the cities for the suburbs. GI Bill - allowed veterans to get low interest loans Levittowns- William Levitt catered to the demand for housing. He built new communities in weeks instead of months. New houses looked the same, but many more people were able to afford them.

Baby Boom The Baby Boom happened as a result of economic prosperity. How did it also contribute to the economic boom?

Cars Suburban growth brought about other changes. Cars were needed more and more, as public transportation became limited. From 1948 to 1958, car sales increased more than 50%. More cars created the need for more roads/highways. Cars became a big part of people’s entertainment and culture. (e.g. drive-in movies, drive-in and drive thru restaurants, road trips, billboard ads). Cars created more jobs. Gas stations Repair shops Parts stores Suburban growth brought about other changes. Cars were needed more and more, as public transportation became limited. From 1948 to 1958, car sales increased more than 50%. More cars created the need for more roads/highways. Cars became a big part of people’s entertainment and culture. (e.g. drive-in movies, drive-in and drive thru restaurants, road trips, billboard ads). Cars created more jobs. Gas stations Repair shops Parts stores

Credit Cards First designed as an easy way for people to pay for gas across the country. People felt stable so were willing to accrue debt and spend beyond their means. Total consumer credit debt rose to $56 million in First designed as an easy way for people to pay for gas across the country. People felt stable so were willing to accrue debt and spend beyond their means. Total consumer credit debt rose to $56 million in 1960.

Consumerism and Advertising Appliances, Autos and homes were marketed to consumers both on television and in magazines. Credit card companies encouraged “keeping up with the Jones” by promoting buying on credit. Rise of franchises like McDonalds appealed to the nations sense of conformity. Consumers could eat the same meal in their home town as they could while vacationing. Families began to eat out more often as their affluence increased. Appliances, Autos and homes were marketed to consumers both on television and in magazines. Credit card companies encouraged “keeping up with the Jones” by promoting buying on credit. Rise of franchises like McDonalds appealed to the nations sense of conformity. Consumers could eat the same meal in their home town as they could while vacationing. Families began to eat out more often as their affluence increased.

Mood of the 1950s Most Americans were comfortable. Cost of living had increased. More people moved into the middle class. Rise in technology and suburbia. Most Americans were comfortable. Cost of living had increased. More people moved into the middle class. Rise in technology and suburbia.

The Silent Generation & Conformity Their was little interest in problems of the larger world. Why? Teenagers had more leisure time Finished secondary school. Girls married much earlier, usually around the age of 19. Conformity in teenagers was apparent. TV shows, advertisements, magazines. Their was little interest in problems of the larger world. Why? Teenagers had more leisure time Finished secondary school. Girls married much earlier, usually around the age of 19. Conformity in teenagers was apparent. TV shows, advertisements, magazines.

Resurgence in Religion Turned to God in the face of Communism (allegedly ungodly) In 1954, Congress added “under God” to the Pledge of Allegiance. In 1955, “In God We Trust” was added to paper currency. There was Dial-a-Prayer and evangelists used radio and TV to spread their messages. Turned to God in the face of Communism (allegedly ungodly) In 1954, Congress added “under God” to the Pledge of Allegiance. In 1955, “In God We Trust” was added to paper currency. There was Dial-a-Prayer and evangelists used radio and TV to spread their messages.

Gender Roles Men were expected to be formally educated “bread winners”. They made political, social, and economic decisions. Women were expected to be “helpmates”. Took on domestic roles PTA, clubs and organizations, charities Men were expected to be formally educated “bread winners”. They made political, social, and economic decisions. Women were expected to be “helpmates”. Took on domestic roles PTA, clubs and organizations, charities

Challenges to Conformity Not all women were happy to be “Susie Homemaker”. In 1950, 24% of married women had jobs. Some women resented not being involved in politics, art, science, war or peace. Betty Friedan wrote The Feminine Mystique. It showed that many women were discontented about their confined roles in society. Not all women were happy to be “Susie Homemaker”. In 1950, 24% of married women had jobs. Some women resented not being involved in politics, art, science, war or peace. Betty Friedan wrote The Feminine Mystique. It showed that many women were discontented about their confined roles in society.

Rebellion Among the Youth Young people also challenged the norms of 1950s society. Rebel Without a Cause and The Catcher in the Rye. Young people also challenged the norms of 1950s society. Rebel Without a Cause and The Catcher in the Rye.

Rock and Roll Grew out of rhythms-and-blues. Allan Freed was a disc jockey that drew a large audience to rock and roll. Chuck Berry, Little Richard, Elvis Presley, and The Beatles. Parents disliked rock and roll. Beatniks-people who criticized American society as apathetic and conformist. Grew out of rhythms-and-blues. Allan Freed was a disc jockey that drew a large audience to rock and roll. Chuck Berry, Little Richard, Elvis Presley, and The Beatles. Parents disliked rock and roll. Beatniks-people who criticized American society as apathetic and conformist.