1. Postwar America,
Subtitle

2. I. The Great Compression

3. The Great Compression describes . . .
The downward redistribution of wealth in America Wealth was more evenly distributed The rich got “poorer,” the working class got “richer” Starts during the New Deal (1933) Begins to reverse in the 1970s

4. Downward redistribution of wealth made possible by . . .
World War II
Strong Unions
Immigration policies
Government taxing and spending policies

5. The G.I. Bill, 1944 The Servicemen’s Readjustment Act
A government program that provided veterans with low-interest mortgages, loans to start businesses, and/or money for college tuition.
It contributed to the downward redistribution of wealth and revolutionized higher education in America.

6. The first “middle-class” nation in history
% of Americans were “middle class” average American earns $1,262 annually $653 – Great Britain $45 – India US produced 50% of the world’s goods White collar workers outnumber blue collar workers Standard work week -- 5 days Fewer people were self-employed More people worked for organizations w/500+ employees

7. Conformity and consumption
Men & women observed strict gender roles Ideal woman – housewife and mother Conformity encouraged people to consume Shopping as a recreational activity Politicians are packaged and “sold” From citizens to consumers Americans borrowed a lot and save very little Diners Club (1950)

8. Prosperity of the 1950s was widespread
ALL social classes enjoyed an improved living standard of living Working class families could afford houses, vacations, cars, etc Average kid could hope to go to college

9. II. The Baby Boom

10. Between 1945-1960, US population grew by about 40 million
Significant increase in the birth rate
Large families were back in style
½ of all Americans were 25 years old or younger
Created a great demand for a wide array of goods and services

11. III. The Suburbs

12. By 1970, most Americans lived in the suburbs
William and Alfred Levitt Homebuilders Levittown on Long Island– 1947 Small, affordable house Constructing entire towns

13. Americans on the move
Northeast -- most densely populated People moving to the “Sunbelt” Home air conditioning Jobs in defense and aerospace New highways provide access

14. Car culture
Car ownership by families 1947 = 54% 1960 = 77% 1970 = 82% The automobile fundamentally changed America

15. The Interstate Highway System, 1956
The National System of Interstate & Defense Highways Act The most important piece of domestic legislation passed in the 1950s The largest public works project during Eisenhower’s presidency Urban sprawl White flight Urban decay Black cities, white suburbs

16. IV. Popular Culture

17. Some pop culture was conformist and conservative
Television
1946 – 7,000
1960 – 50 million
Transforms social & cultural life
Religion – increased church membership
1940 – 64 million
1960 – 114 million
1954 “Under God” to the Pledge of Allegiance
1956 – “In God We Trust” official national motto

18. Some pop culture challenges conformity
Anti-hero movie stars
James Dean
Marlon Brando
Rock and Roll
Elvis Presley
Chuck Berry
Beat poets
Jack Kerouac
Cultural critics

19. V. Domestic Politics

20. The Liberal Consensus A bipartisan acceptance of . . .
1. Keynesian economics
2. Harmony between labor & management
3. New Deal social welfare programs
4. Containment
The End of Ideology?
The Judeo-Christian Heritage

21. Republican President Dwight Eisenhower, 1953-1961
“A conservative when it comes to money matters and a liberal when it comes to human beings." “Dynamic Conservatism”

22. Anti-communism in domestic politics
Fear of communism High-profile espionage cases Alger Hiss Ethel and Julius Rosenberg The Second “Red Scare”

23. Searching for domestic communists
The Loyalty Review Board
The House Un-American Activities Committee
Scientists -- Black activists -- Hollywood writers, actors, producers, and directors

24. McCarthyism – 1940s and 1950s Senator Joseph R. McCarthy
Republican from Wisconsin
The Term used to describe the intense, often paranoid hunt for "communist subversives" living and working in America.
By equating dissent with disloyalty, McCarthy drastically narrowed the spectrum of acceptable political debate and helped to usher in one of the most repressive times in American politics