1. Post WWII Society US History II

2. Affluent Society US productivity increasing –American demands for good and services increasing –Postwar years families/people able to satisfy their needs More than one car Latest appliances Easy credit was the new consumer culture Significance: Americans were able to purchase their wants and needs.

3. Baby Boom 1930s birth rate low After the war it increased quickly 1950s The Baby Boom was the largest in the nations history- 4 million per year Baby Boom influenced: –Business for builders (schools, housing, shopping malls) –Business for manufacturers –School Systems This is important because the Baby Boom was the largest in the nation, and it helped expand the country.

4. Throwaway Society America as growing and it was encouraging habits that would be known as the "throwaway society" Cars made less durable purposely so people buy more often –Disposable products advertised as a convenience Using the world resources Significance: Americans were using up the worlds resources because they were buying unnecessary products. (LEGACY- consumerism)

5. Education Baby Boom in the 50’s encouraged parents to be concerned with the education of their children Convinced that education resulted in successful adults in the future 1957 education became a matter of National Security 1958 Congress established National Defense Education Act (NDEA) –funded better school programs –loans for college students Significance: Education now seen as a priority in many households. Viewed as a way to succeed in the future.

6. Television 1946 8,000 households with TVs 1950 3.9 million households with TVs Transformed family life– influence on consumer culture Significance: Television was extremely popular in American families.

7. Women and Conflicting Roles Women entering labor force changed both culture and family only source of income add on to family income Women's responsibilities at home changed books on how to care for children became part of popular culture Significance: Understand the roles women had in the 1950s (LEGACY – role of women today)

8. Sexuality Family, Church, State, Media - changing and conflicting ideals Sex outside of marriage controversial Fear of homosexual behavior and sexual promiscuity weakening country’s moral fiber 1953 Play Boy came out Women victims of male inspired stereotypes Mothers urged daughter to avoid trap of early marriages and become independent Significance: People at this time were very conservative and innocent, and sex was seen as a bad thing for the country.

9. Society’s Embrace of Sexuality

10. Youth Subculture 1950 Silly Putty Hula Hoops 3D and Drive-in movies 1955 Disneyland opened in Anaheim California Emergence of Rock ‘n Roll Significance: This was the birth of the teenager who expressed themselves through music, fashion and movies.