1950s Economic Boom

1. 1950s Economic Boom • Dwight Eisenhower elected President. • “Baby Boom” – U.S. birthrate sky-rockets as soldiers return home from WWII. • GI Bill – provided loans $$ for returning WWII soldiers. Americans bought houses & suburbs grew tremendously.

2. 1950s Issues • Sputnik (1957) – first spy satellite launched by Soviet Union. U.S. spent more $$ on “space race”. • McCarthyism – Senator Joseph McCarthy went on witch hunt for Communists in U.S.. People afraid to criticize govnt, feared they would be labeled “communist”. • House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC) – created by Congress to root out Americans suspected of supporting Communist ideas. Hollywood studios created a “blacklist” of people who were denied working in films if they were suspected Communist sympathizers.

3. 1960s Issues • John F. Kennedy elected President. • “New Frontier” Programs – Peace Corp created to encourage American to perform civil service. Increased NASA funding to put man on moon. • Cuban Missile Crisis – Kennedy made deal w/ Soviet Union to have nuclear missiles aimed at U.S. removed from Cuba. • Visited Berlin Wall – Kennedy declared “Ich bin ein Berliner” (I am a Berliner). Showed solidarity of all free people with the people of West Berlin.

4. 1960 Issues • Lyndon B. Johnson became President after Kennedy was assassinated. • “Great Society” Programs – Medicare provided medical insurance to elderly Americans. Medicaid provided medical insurance to people in poverty. • Civil Rights Act of 1964 – outlawed discrimination in public places and jobs. Govnt has power to prosecute civil rights abuses.