Postwar America and the American Dream GI Bill

Postwar America and the American Dream

GI Bill • Passed by Congress in 1944. It enabled veteran’s do get an education by paying part of their tuition.

Suburbs • The production of standardized homes created by William Levitt led to the popularity of the suburbs. • Americans now commuted!

Conformity • People were alike and were okay with that. • Differences among the middle class tended to cause problems.

Women’s Roles • • • Support husbands Clean house Cook meals Raise children Decorate suburban homes • Consumer products

Men’s Roles • Support families • Go to school • $ = Success • White collar jobs.

Betty Friedan • Wrote the Feminine Mystique. • It criticized current expectations of women. • “Society was holding back women. ” • Her book got women thinking about their positions in society.

Truman • He had a difficult presidency. • He was a civil rights advocate, which was very unpopular at the time. • He narrowly won reelection in 1948.

Eisenhower • Becomes President in 1952. “I like Ike” • VP was Nixon.

Franchises • A company that offers similar products or service in many locations. • The most famous of the 50’s was Mc. Donald’s started by the Kroc brothers.

Leisure Time • Americans had more leisure time than ever before. • Sports, TV, and reading were the most popular. • Jackie Robinson was the first African American to play major league baseball.

Conformity and Consumerism Assignment 1. During the 1950’s “conformity replaced individuality. ” Respond to this quote in 1 -2 paragraphs in your notebook. 2. During the 1950’s Americans enjoyed the highest standard of living in the world and consumerism became equated with success. There were new products all the time and it became known as the “throwaway society. ” Respond to this concept in 1 -2 paragraphs in your notebook.