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Dwight Eisenhower. Unit 5.4. Learning Targets. I can d escribe the effects of the Cold War on American society . I can explain how technology influenced the American people. Dwight Eisenhower. 34 th President (1953-61) Republican, Texas, 5-Star General
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Dwight Eisenhower Unit 5.4
Learning Targets • I can describe the effects of the Cold War on American society. • I can explain how technology influenced the American people.
Dwight Eisenhower • 34th President (1953-61) • Republican, Texas, 5-Star General • Never elected to office before presidency • Quiet, pretended not to be in charge • “Hidden-Hand” presidency • Military man, he spoke out against increasing size of military power • FF: Killed all the squirrels around the WH.
Baby Boom • After WWII, the population in the US boomed. • The economics of the Great Depression, combined with the service of millions of men in WWII meant that fewer children had been born in the 30s and early 40s. • From 1946-1960 millions of new children were born. • These new kids meant new schools, hospitals, and jobs would be needed in the coming years. • These baby boomers would have vastly different lives from their parents (GD, WWII).
Television • After WWII TV became affordable for the masses. • Most homes had a TV by the 1950s. • News, entertainment, and advertising were now available with live images. • TV profoundly changed the US by connecting regions and creating conformity in language and experiences. • TV quickly became the most powerful medium for reaching the public.
Interstate Highway Act • Eisenhower supported the idea of improving the US’s roads. • Together with Congress they created the Interstate Highway System. • Across the US 4 or more lane highways were built, creating thousands of jobs. • Quicker transportation aided commerce. • The military also benefitted by being able to quickly move troops or land planes anywhere in an emergency.
Impact of Highways • Highways allowed for more workers to live outside of the city. • Suburbs grew, and communities popped up thanks to quicker building techniques. • Levittown's were suburbs of pre-planned housing, often with most of the houses looking the same. • Air conditioning became affordable, and many people moved south and west to warmer climates creating population growth in the Sunbelt Region of the US.
Leisure • TV and highways helped to create a common “pop culture” in the US. • Movies dramatically increased in attendance. • Rock-and-Roll became popular thanks to Elvis Pressley, a baby boom sensation. • Fast food along the highways and amusement parks like Disneyland increased travel and the economy. • The beat movement allowed teens and other young people to express themselves as a counterculture to older generations.
