1. SWBAT: Describe how American society was affected by the end of World War II
Do Now:
Answer the following question in your notebook: What are the first three things that come to mind when you think about the 1950s in America?

2. Do Now
What are the first three things that come to mind when you think about the 1950s in America?

3. Task: Watch the video on Truman and answer the discussion questions.
1. Under what circumstances did Harry Truman become President in 1945?
2. What was the biggest decision Harry Truman had to make in his political career?
3. Why was the Election of 1948 considered one of the greatest upsets in presidential history?
4. What foreign affair dominated Truman’s second term in office?
5. What legacy did Harry Truman leave when he left office in 1953?

4. Questions:
1. Who is the main character in the political cartoon?
2. What message is the cartoonist trying to express in this cartoon?
3. Do you agree or disagree with this statement?

5. Truman’s Domestic Policy
In 1949, Truman proposed an ambitious social and economic program that he called the Fair Deal.
Outlined by President Harry S. Truman in his 1949 State of the Union Address to Congress to expand FDR’s New Deal Programs.
Congress rejected many of his proposals because of Truman’s support of Civil Rights and the desegregation of the military during World War II.

6. Dwight D. Eisenhower – 34th President – 1953-1961 - Republican
The Presidency of Eisenhower was a time of prosperity and social change. The period was marked by several important developments:
Economic Expansion – The United States continued to be the world’s largest producers of goods.

7. Baby Boom – As a result of economic prosperity, people settled down to work and started having families – Birth rates were extremely high.

8. Growth of Suburbs – The G. I
Growth of Suburbs – The G.I. Bill made it easier for returning war veterans to obtain loans to buy houses – Levittown first suburban community.
AERIAL VIEW OF A LEVITTOWN. THE ORIGINAL HOMES COST $8,000 ($301,000 IN 2012).
LEVITTOWN'S WERE THE SYMBOL OF THE NEW AMERICAN SUBURB WHERE ALMOST ANYONE COULD AFFORD A NEW HOME. THEY WERE SMALL HOMES BUILT USING MASS PRODUCTION TECHNIQUES.

9. Interstate Highway System – allowed commuters to travel to cities by car and also made high-speed, long-haul trucking possible.

10. Task: Watch the video on the 1950s and answer the discussion questions.
1. What made it possible for people to settle down and start families in the 1950s?
2. How did William J. Levitt revolutionize the housing industry of the United States?
3. What criticism might you have about Levitt’s developments? Why?
4. How did the growth of suburbs impact cities?

11. Task: Watch the video on consumerism and answer the discussion questions.
1. What was the new American Dream?
2. How did many people pay for these new consumer goods?
3. How did the job market change in the United States during the 1950s?
4. What criticism might you have about the idea of conformity?
5. How did American show their individuality outside of the work place?

12. What was life like during the 1950s?
Sum It Up
What was life like during the 1950s?
How does your answer compare to your response to the Do Now question?