The Cold War and the American Dream (1945-1960) Chapter 28, Section 3 The 1950’s The Cold War and the American Dream (1945-1960) Chapter 28, Section 3
Essential Questions: Is money the root of all evil?
LaVern Baker 1950’s Rock n’ Roll Artist: “Tweedlee Dee” “Jim Dandy” “See See Rider” White Artists Copied Her Songs in the 1950’s Radio Stations (Controlled by Whites) Played the White Artists Songs ($$$) What Does This STILL Tell You About Society in the 1950’s?
1950’s Boom? Really? The 1950’s is Known as a time of Great Prosperity However, 1 out of 5 Americans Lived in Poverty (20%) Most Poor Americans Lived in the Cities Many Poor Americans were Minorities
The Suburbs As Many American Businesses Prospered, Many Americans Moved to the Suburbs Towns Outside of Cities Prospered Fewer Middle and Upper Class Americans Lived in the Cities: Less Taxes Collected Schools Got Less $$$ Less $$$ to Pay for City Needs (Fire/Police/Garbage) Cities Across America Began Urban Decay Scarsdale vs. Valhalla
Mexican Immigration During WWII During WWII, the U.S. Government Encouraged Mexican Immigration! During WWII, Shortage of Farm Workers (The Draft) U.S. Created the Bracero Program Over 120,000 Mexicans Were Part of the Bracero Program
Struggling Minorities During the 1950’s, Most African Americans, Latinos & Mexicans Did Not Experience a “Boom” During the Bracero Program (WWII) Mexicans were Paid Poorly & Had Hard Living/Working Conditions When the Bracero Program Ended, Many Mexicans Stayed Illegally Why Don’t Illegal Immigrants Protest Low Pay, Poor Working & Living Conditions?
Accomplishments of “Ike” President Dwight D. Eisenhower’s Major Accomplishments: Kept Most New Deal Programs Expanded Social Security Increased Minimum Wage for Workers Created the Department of: Health Education Welfare
The Highway Act of 1956 In 1956, Congress Passed the Highway Act The U.S. Spent $32 Billion Dollars to Build Over 41,000 Miles of Highway Created Jobs Why are Highways Essential for ANY Economy?
The Baby “Boom” After WWII, Many Americans Began Having Families Due to the 1950’s Economic Boom, Many Americans Had More Than 2 Children The U.S. Grew by Over 30 Million The “Baby Boomer” Generation Had a Huge Impact on the Economy
Impact of the Baby Boom: Americans Wanted Houses in the Suburbs for their Kids to Grow Up In Businesses Spread to the Suburbs to Sell to the Growing Population Needed a Car in the Suburbs to Get Around: Car Sales Increased The Economy GREW!
The Baby Boomers
The Sunbelt States During the 1950’s, Many Americans Moved to the South and Southwestern Part of the U.S. The “Sunbelt” States California Became the Most Populated State in U.S. The U.S. Economy Continued to Grow
The “American Dream” During the 1950’s, the “American Dream” Was Defined As: Life in the Suburbs Your Own House Good Schools Shopping Malls Safe Place to Raise Your Kids Has the “American Dream” Changed Today?
Women of the 1950’s Women During the 1950’s were Promoted as the “Keepers of the Suburban Dream” Job Opportunities for Women Were Limited: Nurses Teachers Secretaries
1950’s Economic Boom During the 1950’s, American Businesses Were Making All Sorts of Goods Needed for the Home Baby Boom Generation Spurred the Growth Advertising on Television Became Huge
Television During the 1950’s, Television was Invented By 1960, 9 out of 10 Homes Had a TV The Movie Industry Started Losing $$$ Why is the Movie Industry Losing $$$ Today?
Who Am I?
Rock n’ Roll The Founders of Rock n’ Roll: Bill Haley and the Comets Chuck Berry Little Richard Fats Domino Jerry Lee Lewis Elvis Presley, “The King” of Rock n’ Roll Who is “The King” of Pop?
1960 Presidential Election John F. Kennedy (Democratic) vs. Richard Nixon (Republican) 1960 Election is One of the Closest in U.S. History JFK Won the Election JFK Became the Youngest President Ever to Serve (43 Years Old)
1960 Televised Debate 1st Presidential Debate Ever Televised How Did Television Actually Help JFK to Win the Debate and the Election?
Essential Questions: Is money the root of all evil?