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AMERICA IN THE FIFTIES

AMERICA IN THE FIFTIES. CHAPTER 27, SECTION 2. CHANGES IN THE WORKPLACE. 1950’s: Rapid economic expansion So What? Majority of Americans in “White-collar” jobs Businesses on the rise: Advertising Sales Insurance Communications Expanding businesses: “Conglomerates”: Define

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AMERICA IN THE FIFTIES

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  1. AMERICA IN THE FIFTIES CHAPTER 27, SECTION 2

  2. CHANGES IN THE WORKPLACE • 1950’s: Rapid economic expansion • So What? • Majority of Americans in “White-collar” jobs • Businesses on the rise: • Advertising • Sales • Insurance • Communications • Expanding businesses: • “Conglomerates”: Define • Why were conglomerates growing? • Examples? • General Electric • Xerox • “Franchises”: Define • Why were franchises growing? • Examples? • McDonald’s

  3. POST-WWII CONGLOMERATES

  4. Original Large-Scale Copier

  5. Early GE Data Control Room

  6. EARLY FRANCHISE

  7. U.S. Fast-Food Distribution

  8. CHANGES IN LIFESTYLE • Social Conformity: More important in the 50’s • Why? • White-collar businesses wanted employees who were going to conform • They wanted “Company people” • They wanted people to “fit in” to company • Effect? • Companies reward conformity • Individuals are encouraged to conform and control their own individuality • Literature affected by this ; examples? • 1955: The Man in the Gray Flannel Suit • 1956: The Organization Man

  9. SUBURBAN DAILY LIFE • Large-scale exodus from urban to suburban areas • Why? • Baby Boom: desire to raise families in affordable areas • Growth of the auto industry • New highway networks • Surburbs offered “safe”, “healthy” environments for children, families • What’s new? • New homes • New schools • New conveniences: household appliances, etc. • New distractions: “automania”, TV shows • New leisure activities: sports, recreational activities

  10. Interstate Highway Act, 1956

  11. THE BABY BOOM • When? 1946-64 • Why? • Families started/reunited after WW II • New economic prosperity • “Affordability” of marriage • Medical advances: Examples? • DR. JONAS SALK: Polio vaccine • How big was it: Example: • 1957: 1 birth every 7 seconds • Total #, 1957: 4,254,784 births • Philosophy: Family life revolved around the children • DR. SPOCK: Common Sense Book of Baby and Child Care • Spock’s philosophy: Be lenient w/children • Examples: • Never spank your child • Never scold your child • Family meetings to allow children to express themselves • IS THIS A PROBLEM?

  12. U.S. GENERATIONS, 1946-1994 • 1911-24: THE GREATEST GENERATION • 1925-45: THE SILENT GENERATION • 1946-64: THE BABY BOOMERS • 1964-82: GENERATION X • 1982-2000’s: THE ECHO BOOMERS • Questions: • Why are generations often given names? • What do you think is the origin of the aforementioned names?

  13. 1934-2007 U.S. BIRTHRATE

  14. U.S. GENERATIONS

  15. DR. BENJAMIN SPOCK

  16. DR. JONAS SALK

  17. WOMEN’S ROLES • 50’s: Very limited • Narrowly defined role: • Child rearing • Social / emotional support for husband • Very little chance for any “career” • Little encouragement to pursue goals • Mid-50’s: 1/5 of suburban wives were dissatisfied w/their lives • 1960: 40% of women w/children between ages 6-17 held jobs; problem? • Yes • No real chance for advancement

  18. CONSUMERISM • DEFINE: • WHY? • New economic prosperity; people had $ • New suburban lifestyle allowed “luxuries” • Americans wanted to be consumers • Growth of personal “credit” • 1950: DINER’S CLUB – 1st credit card • 1958: AMERICAN EXPRESS credit card company starts • Problem? • Personal debt grows in the 50’s • GROWS FROM $73 BILLION TO $179 BILLION • Growth of advertising: • Does what? • Creates needs where they don’t really exist • New products / industries encourage spending: • Home appliances • Cars • Etc.

  19. EARLY TV MODELS

  20. EARLY TV MODELS

  21. MAJOR POST-WAR TV NETWORKS

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