Chapter 36 – American ZenithI. Politics:

A. Eisenhower (Republican) elected in 1952 & 1956.B. Republicans won control of Congress.C. Tried to govern “from the middle.”

II. Economics:A. Short downturn as soldiers returned home.B. Savings and pent-up demand led to economic boom beginning in late 1940s.C. Economy shifted from war production to consumer goods.

III. Social Life:A. Conformity

1. “Company man.”2. Housewife3. Suburban Housing

B. Rebellion1. Rock and Roll.2. The Beat Movement

C. ConsumerismD. Television (“idealized white society.”)E. The AutomobileF. Baby Boom (Births rise dramatically from 1947 –

1964).G. New amounts of “leisure time.”

IV. Don’t forget The Cold War!A. Russians have H-Bomb.B. Russians have missiles that can reach U.S.C. Cuban Missile CrisisD. CIA covert action around the world

V. Also, early Civil Rights Movement

“Ike for President”• Ike for President jinglehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y9RAxAgksSE

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The economy grows…

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What were the characteristics of a company man in the 1950s?

• Do not think independently… a team player that does not rock the boat

• Required to “fit in”… teamwork, cooperation & loyalty to the company

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How did many American women feel about their role as a homemaker?

“ the key figure in all suburbia, the thread that weaves between family and community- the keeper of the suburban dream”

Betty Friedan –

UNHAPPY: Discontent, isolated, unchallenged, bored

• Wrote a book called The Feminine Mystique… Exposed the frustrations of women in American society.

• Women were frustrated with their role• Limited employment opportunities• Unequal pay• Little encouragement to do more than

be a Mom

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Levittown, NY-PA

1950s - Wm. Levitt mass produces homes… assembly line production

1950s – 13M homes built… 85% in the suburbs

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1954: Father Knows Best - A TV show promoting the ideal (conservative, rosy and paternalistic) American family of the 1950s.

1952-1966: Ozzie and Harriet -“The ideal American family life” - The longest-running "live”(non-animated) sitcom in TV history.

1957 : Leave it to Beaver

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The Automobile Culture

The Automobile Culture - “Automania”

Causes of the automobile boom….•Cheap fuel• Easy credit terms to buy cars• The growth of the suburbs

Effects of the automobile boom….• Eisenhower’s Interstate Highway Act… 41K miles of highways•“Homogenized” our culture… “drive from Brooklyn to Los Angeles without a change of diet, scenery or culture” J. Keats• Increased travel… destination vacations… i.e. Disney World• Public transportation declined• Stimulates business: Motels, drive-in restaurants, drive-in movies, shopping malls

40M cars in 1950… 60M in 1960

What new problems did automobiles create?

• Noise & exhaust pollution• An increase in traffic accidents• People & businesses leave the cities… poverty becomes more

concentrated in the cities• Tax base in the cities erodes • Public transportation declined… funding went to highways

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What factors influenced the amount of leisure time Americans enjoyed?

• The 40 hour work week• Generous vacation time• Time saving devices: Washers, dryers, dishwashers, Lawn

mowers…What activities were Americans enjoying?

Fishing, hunting, bowling, boating, golf, baseball games, football games, pleasure reading

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The Baby Boom The population explosion between 1946- 1964.

• 1957: 1 birth every 7 seconds• 10M enter elementary school• Toy sales: 12.5B• Teacher shortages

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The first African American to play MLB… prior to this, blacks played in the Negro Leagues.

What was decided in the Brown v. Board of Education (1954) case?  

• A landmark civil rights case decided by the Supreme Court …Public schools must racially integrate.

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