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Peace, Prosperity, and Progress

Peace, Prosperity, and Progress. The Eisenhower Era Begins. Eisenhower elected in 1952-WWII hero Americans looking for normalcy after WWII “We Like Ike” Richard Nixon as VP. 1950’s Optimis m. Survived the Great depression and won WWII GI Bill for educations “Baby Boom”

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Peace, Prosperity, and Progress

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  1. Peace, Prosperity, and Progress

  2. The Eisenhower Era Begins • Eisenhower elected in 1952-WWII hero • Americans looking for normalcy after WWII • “We Like Ike” • Richard Nixon as VP

  3. 1950’s Optimism • Survived the Great depression and won WWII • GI Bill for educations • “Baby Boom” • Bought cars, moved to suburbs, watched television • Eisenhower wins 2nd term in 1956

  4. Challenges • Military build up • Social and racial inequality • Conflict in Korea • Communist China • Nuclear Arms Race • McCarthyism

  5. Social Unrest • African Americans faced segregation • 1954-Segregation outlawed in school • Bus Boycott in Montgomery, Alabama • Women forced out of jobs by returning vets • Beginning of Civil Rights Movement

  6. Military Build Up and Anti-Communism

  7. Nuclear Shadow • Military build up of atomic weapons • Continued testing in South Pacific/Bikini Islands • Contain threat of Communism • Technological race with Soviets

  8. Ardent Anti-Communism • Anti Communism was heroic • Captain America: “Beware, Commies, spies, traitors, and foreign agents! Captain America, with all loyal free men behind him, is looking for you.” • School children participated in air raid drills “duck and cover” • Low moral values tied to Communism, Patriots hold to strict social behavior

  9. Bomb Shelters and the Nuclear Family

  10. Bomb shelters • Atomic Energy Commission urged families to build bomb shelters to protect from Atomic explosions • Women reinforced roles as mothers and housewives • Families isolated themselves and enjoyed abundant lifestyles

  11. Booming Economy

  12. Economic Boom • Consumers became “big spenders” • Government supported education and home and business loans through the GI Bill • Americans also saved money • Congress cut taxes

  13. The Other America • Eisenhower supported private business over government social programs • Unemployed, homeless, minorities effected most • Appalachia in Southeast experienced persistent poverty

  14. Baby Boom

  15. Baby Boom • More money to support large families • Marriage and family key to happiness • Birthrate increased tremendously after WWII • Young people encouraged to marry to avoid evil of premarital sex • Baby boom fueled economic growth of 1950’s • These babies would become consumers so industries had to keep up!

  16. Prefabricated Housing

  17. Housing crisis • Housing shortage as veterans were discharged • Housing industry began to mass produce prefabricated homes • Growth of suburbs: homes with central heating, indoor plumbing, telephones, washing machines

  18. Suburban Living

  19. Suburbia • Mostly white middle class families • Depopulation of urban centers • Boosted economy-need for automobiles • Barbecues, cocktail parties, bowing alleys, girl scouts, cub scouts, little league • Most minorities could not afford to live in suburbs • Critics thought suburbs fostered conformity

  20. Women’s Roles

  21. Gender Roles • Reinforced by media • Be attractive • Be a good wife, dote on your husband • Be a good mother • A woman’s place is in the home • Women abandoned school or careers to have children

  22. America takes to the Road

  23. Automobiles become a status symbol

  24. Chrome, Fins, Fancy Fenders • 1950’s cars were bigger and more powerful than before • Radical new designs • Automatic transmissions • Luxury and style

  25. Impact on Family Life • Women could run errands • Teenagers get driver’s licenses and borrow car for dates • Drive in movies • Federal highway construction • Traffic jams, pollution

  26. Rise of Television

  27. TV • By end of 1950’s 88% of Americans owned a TV • Frozen Dinners • Radio shows transferred to TV shows • Reinforced stereotypes • Referred to as the “idiot box”

  28. Elvis Presley: King of Rock and Roll

  29. Rock and roll Explosion • Introduced by Elvis Presley • Popular among teens, outraged parents • Dance moves considered lewd and unfit for family viewing • “Heartbreak Hotel”, “Don’t Be Cruel”, “Love me Tender” • Music was a blend of rhythm and blues • Inspired by music that African Americans had played for years

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