America in the 1950s

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President Dwight D. Eisenhower

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The Eisenhower YearsDwight D. Eisenhower elected president in 1952

and again in 1956 “Ike” was a war hero from WWII when he lead

the Allied Forces in EuropeFree Enterprise - Ike believed in a laissez-faire,

less powerful governmentBuilt the Interstate Highway System (40,000 miles

of roads)National defense - allows us to move troops quicklyTies the nation together while hurting small town

America

Eisenhower Highway System

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US - Soviet RivalryNuclear Arms Race - both US and USSR build

enough weapons to destroy each other many timesRaises threat level worldwideSpace Race - US and USSR complete to show

technical superioritySputnik (October, 1957) - USSR launches the first

artificial satellite. Shocks US into a focus on teaching math and science in schools

Sputnik - USSR caused panic with this - no kidding!

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Prosperity and Change in the 1950sEconomy - system of production and

distribution of goods and servicesBaby Boom - huge number of children born

in the US in the decade following WWII leads to increased demand for goods and services

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Consumer Society in the 50sCredit Cards - allowed customers to buy now, pay

later (with interest)New products - dishwashers, washing machines,

televisions, stereos, synthetic clothesCars get bigger and flashier with chrome and tailfins

(1959 Cadillac El Dorado!)Hula Hoops - one of best selling toys everPoodle skirts popular for girls and crew cuts for guysPizza - the new snack

1959 Cadillac El Dorado - Yum!

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The Poodle Skirt!

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American CultureCulture - the beliefs, customs, practices, or

social behavior of a group of peopleAlmost all Americans have televisions by

1950s - news and entertainmentRock and Roll - new form of music derived

from blues.Elvis Presley - adapted the style of Black

musicians to become “The King” - an idol to millions

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Problems in the 1950s20% of US in povertyLarge agricultural firms force out small farmers “White Flight”

People in cities moved to suburbs as they purchased cars leaving cities islands of poverty

Desperate Blacks and Latinos move into cities, neighborhoods become poor ghettos

Increased Automation - lower skill jobs replaced by machines making it more difficult to escape poverty without education

Racial Discrimination - tough for minorities to find jobs, housing, education

Crime and violence in cities grows with desperation

Social CriticsPeople voice concern over lifestyles

MaterialismLoss of IndividualityCities left to decay (Buffalo is an example)

Beat Writers - Jack Kerouwac, Allen Ginsberg and other “Beat” writers rebel against middle class America

Women and African-Americans more vocally question their roles and become impatient with second class citizen status

Jack Kerouac - Author of On the Road

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Allen Ginsberg -Author of Howl

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