Society in the 1950s American Abundance Economy of

Society in the 1950's

American Abundance • "Economy of abundance" • "Franchises"

Wealth "White-collar vs Blue-collar"

Consumerism After World War II, Americans wanted to spend money to modernize their family homes. - televisions, cars, washing machines, refrigerators, toasters, and vacuum cleaners. Americans purchased 20 million refrigerators, 21. 4 million cars, and 5. 5 million stoves.

Suburbia • • The growing number of suburban communities in the 1950 s demonstrated the desire many Americans had to establish a secure familiar environment. Levittown, New York was one of the earliest of the new suburbs.

Women The Workforce • • • Many entered the workforce to support their families Number of women who had jobs increased - by 1960, 1/3 of women in the workforce Role of "Homemaker" for

Baby Boom • • • More than 65 millions children were born during the Baby Boom Every 7 seconds, a new baby was born in the U. S. Why then? o Young couples who had delayed marriage during the WWII could now marry, buy homes, and

Space and Airplanes • • Sputnik - October, 1957 America's response. . . - January 31 st, 1958 << Airplanes: a new way of travel for regular Americans

Electronics • Transistor was developed - generated electrical signals to miniaturize devices. (ex. radios and calculators) • ENIAC - earliest computer - military use • UNIVAC -Came out years later in 1951 -used for business -improved communication and work

Medical Breakthroughs in the 1950's • • DNA discovered Report says cigarettes cause cancer • First organ transplant • Polio Vaccine

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