The 1950’s

Sputnik, 1957

The Korean War ( )

Dien Bien Phu, Vietnam, 1955

Advice for Women 1.Have dinner ready: Plan ahead, even the night before, to have a well balanced, delicious meal - prepared and ready to serve at the usual time. This is a way of letting him know that you have been thinking about him, and are concerned about his needs. Most men are hungry when they come home and the prospects of a good meal are part of the warm welcome needed. Some men like a drink before dinner, if so, plan to keep the meal warm, and not burn anything while he finishes his drink. 2.Prepare yourself: Take 15 minutes to rest so you will be refreshed when he arrives. Touch up your make-up, put a ribbon in your hair and be fresh looking. He has just been with a lot of work-weary people. Be a little gay and a little more interesting. His boring day may need a lift. Remember too that the women who are in the work force are usually well- dressed and single, and probably looking for a husband. 3.Clear away the clutter: Make one last trip through the main part of the house just before your husband arrives, gathering up school books, toys, paper, etc. Then run a dust cloth over the tables. Your husband will feel he has reached a haven of rest and order, and it will give you a lift too. 4.Prepare the children: Take a few minutes to wash the children's hands and faces if they are too young to do so themselves. Comb their hair, and if necessary, change their clothes. They are his little treasures and he would like to see them playing the part. Caution the children that while discussion is welcome at the dinner table, unpleasant squabbles or disputes should wait until a later time. 5.Minimize the noise: At the time of his arrival, eliminate all noise of washer or dryer. Make sure all appliances, such as the vacuum are properly put away. Try to encourage the children to be quiet. Be happy to see him. Greet him with a warm smile and be glad to see him. 6.Avoid Using the Phone: Should anyone telephone you before/during/after dinner, politely advise them you'll return their call after doing the dinner dishes. 7.Things to Avoid: Don't greet him with problems or complaints. Don't complain if he's late for dinner and didn't have time to call. Count this as minor compared with what he might have gone through that day. 8.Make him comfortable: Have him lean back in a comfortable chair or suggest he lie down in the bedroom. Have a cool or warm drink ready for him. Arrange his pillow and offer to take off his shoes. Speak in a low, soft, soothing and pleasant voice. Allow him to relax and unwind, either before or after dinner. Some men relax with the evening paper, others with TV. 9.Listen to him: You may have a dozen things to tell him, but the moment of his arrival is not the time. Let him talk first. However, should you sense his mood sullen because of the business day, be prepared for some light hearted banter or just some small talk. 10.Stress the Positive: Plan to inform your husband of the positive events of the day; include the children's accomplishments. 11.Make the evening his: Never complain if he does not take you out to dinner or to other places of entertainment; instead try to understand his world of strain and pressure and his need to be home and relax. 12.The Goal: Try to make your home a place of peace and order where your husband can relax and enjoy himself.

The Eisenhower Years, “Ike”—WW II hero 1 st Republican since Hoover Goal to continue prosperity than radically change system –Continuation of “Keynesian” approach –Min wage to $1 an hour –$20 billion on Federal Interstate Highway bill

1950’s Economy GNP –1945: $200 billion –1960: $500 billion Inflation around 3% Unemployment under 5% 800% increase in credit during 1950’s 8,000,000 cars bought in 1955 alone!!!!

Television 1946—17,000 sets 1957—40,000,000 Impact: –Advertising –“homogenization of culture –Social & political ie, civil rights movement

Unions in the 1950’s 1953—36% of labor force belonged –Highest in history Big business mostly accepted unions –Well paid workers bought stuff!!! Period of overall high wages & low unemployment 1955—AFL & CIO merge

Poverty in the 1950’s Almost “invisible” –Unless YOU were poor Reality: –22% below official poverty line –Most elderly and minorities were poor –Both inner cities & rural areas Michael Harrington’s “The Other America” –1962 book exposing this poverty