The American Dream in the 1950s Section 2

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The American Dream in the 1950’s Section 2

The American Dream in the 1950’s Section 2

THE BABY BOOM Returning soldiers from WWII start families Between 1946 -1964 1957: 1

THE BABY BOOM Returning soldiers from WWII start families Between 1946 -1964 1957: 1 -baby born every 7 -seconds! 4. 2 million babies born in 1957 Toy sales skyrocket New schools needed, teacher shortages

FACTORS OF THE BABY BOOM • Reunion of families • Younger age marriages •

FACTORS OF THE BABY BOOM • Reunion of families • Younger age marriages • Want for large families • Advances in medicine • Dr. Jonas Salk’s polio vaccine • Childhood diseases decline

WOMEN’S ROLES Role of homemaker glorified Father Knows Best, Leave it to Beaver Keeper

WOMEN’S ROLES Role of homemaker glorified Father Knows Best, Leave it to Beaver Keeper of the suburban dream Some women felt isolated and bored Women begin to hold jobs Jobs limited (nurse, teacher, secretary)

THE LEISURE CLASS More washing machines, dishwashers, vacuums, lawn mowers than ever before 1953:

THE LEISURE CLASS More washing machines, dishwashers, vacuums, lawn mowers than ever before 1953: $30 billion on leisure activities Fishing, bowling, golf Attendance rises at sporting events Reading became avid Ernest Hemmingway, John Steinbeck, J. D. Salinger Reader’s Digest, Sports Illustrated Boy Scouts and Girl Scout membership rises Little League Baseball becomes a fixture

AUTOMANIA Americans buy cars in record numbers Fuel was inexpensive Easy credit Cars for

AUTOMANIA Americans buy cars in record numbers Fuel was inexpensive Easy credit Cars for commuting to work Station wagon popular for families

THE INTERSTATE HIGHWAY SYSTEM More cars need more roads Interstate Highway Act of 1956

THE INTERSTATE HIGHWAY SYSTEM More cars need more roads Interstate Highway Act of 1956 signed Nationwide highway network 41, 000 miles of expressways New suburbs created far from cities Decline in RR use Towns along highways prosper Americans travel more, vacation away Disneyland emerges in 1955 (CA)

NEW PRODUCTS Polyester fabrics replace cotton and wool Teflon developed for cookware Electric appliances

NEW PRODUCTS Polyester fabrics replace cotton and wool Teflon developed for cookware Electric appliances Recreational products: tape-recorders, record players, swimming pools, patio furniture

BUY NOW, PAY LATER Credit was new way to pay Diner’s Club was first

BUY NOW, PAY LATER Credit was new way to pay Diner’s Club was first credit card Payment plans Private debt rises to $79 billion

THE ADVERTISING AGE Advertising capitalizes on consumerism Ads are everywhere Billboards, TV, magazines Ads

THE ADVERTISING AGE Advertising capitalizes on consumerism Ads are everywhere Billboards, TV, magazines Ads for cars, cereal, cigarettes TV becomes most powerful advertising tool 1960: $60 Billion on advertising

1950s The 1950s PostWorld War II American Society1950s The 1950s PostWorld War II American Society
WHAT IS THE AMERICAN DREAM THE AMERICAN DREAMWHAT IS THE AMERICAN DREAM THE AMERICAN DREAM
The American Dream Defining your own American DreamThe American Dream Defining your own American Dream
The American Dream The American Dream Definition TheThe American Dream The American Dream Definition The
The American Dream What is the American DreamThe American Dream What is the American Dream
The American Dream History of the American DreamThe American Dream History of the American Dream
THE AMERICAN DREAM MAIN DEFINITION The American DreamTHE AMERICAN DREAM MAIN DEFINITION The American Dream
The American Dream Define the American Dream inThe American Dream Define the American Dream in
The Catcher in the Rye Background 1950s 1950sThe Catcher in the Rye Background 1950s 1950s