The Perfect Storm How the 1950s Made Halloween in the United States

Halloween in America before WWII Trick or Treat was associated with crime and vandalism during the early 20 th century Trick or Treat was associated with crime and vandalism during the early 20 th century Major urban centers would prepare for Halloween by bringing in extra police officers to deal with rowdy youth Major urban centers would prepare for Halloween by bringing in extra police officers to deal with rowdy youth By the 1930s towns began to organize incentives in the form of free candy to keep kids under control for the holiday By the 1930s towns began to organize incentives in the form of free candy to keep kids under control for the holiday

The Road to a Multi-billion Dollar Industry Three major factors influenced the growth of the Halloween industry in the 1950s Three major factors influenced the growth of the Halloween industry in the 1950s 1.The post-World War II baby boom 2.The growth of suburbs 3.Advertising Once the holiday caught on it continued to grow through to the present Once the holiday caught on it continued to grow through to the present

The Post-World War II Baby Boom A population explosion occurred in the decades following World War II A population explosion occurred in the decades following World War II Many families enjoyed a boost in standard of living due to low unemployment, generous salaries, and technical innovations that allowed for lower commodity prices Many families enjoyed a boost in standard of living due to low unemployment, generous salaries, and technical innovations that allowed for lower commodity prices The large number of children born during the post-war years allowed for a market to emerge for family-oriented holidays The large number of children born during the post-war years allowed for a market to emerge for family-oriented holidays

The Post-World War II Baby Boom

The Growth of Suburbs Wartime military vehicle factories converted their production to consumer automobiles Wartime military vehicle factories converted their production to consumer automobiles Price of family automobile went down and demand increased Price of family automobile went down and demand increased Car ownership for the middle-class family became attainable during the post-war period Car ownership for the middle-class family became attainable during the post-war period

The Growth of Suburbs Construction of highway systems allowed families to live further away from urban centers and still enjoy the economic benefits of the big city Construction of highway systems allowed families to live further away from urban centers and still enjoy the economic benefits of the big city The suburb provided a safer environment for families to go trick or treating The suburb provided a safer environment for families to go trick or treating

Advertising Innovations to mass media allowed commodity producers to more effectively reach consumers Innovations to mass media allowed commodity producers to more effectively reach consumers When candy companies uncovered the possible market for Halloween treats, they heavily advertised and promoted the holiday When candy companies uncovered the possible market for Halloween treats, they heavily advertised and promoted the holiday

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Discussion Questions What other factors do you think continue to influence Halloween? What other factors do you think continue to influence Halloween? How has Halloween remained the same since the 1950s? How has Halloween remained the same since the 1950s? How has it changed? How has it changed? What will Halloween look like in the future? What will Halloween look like in the future?

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