Transcript Ch 20 notes
The Postwar Years at Home chapter 20 notes The Postwar Years at Home • For the first time in 15-20 years, Americans have surplus income and products are available for purchase • The U.S. economy experiences one of its greatest periods of growth • The GDP and per capita income double, but so did inflation Technology • TV begins to replace radio and movies as the main form of entertainment. • People would gather to watch TV as a family. Medicine • Polio Vaccine – Jonas Salk and Thomas Francis • Many surgical advances from WWII • Many advances in fighting bacterial infections Other advances • We see the beginning of the computer industry in America. • America begins to use nuclear power for the first time to power their homes G.I. Bill of Rights • Allowed G.I.’s to: – Go to college – Buy homes cheaply Changes in the Workforce “LEVITTOWN” • Many WWII veterans go to white collar jobs rather than blue collar ones. • Advances in the highway system, the purchase of new cars, and the demand for new homes led to an explosion in suburban growth The Suburbs • 16 million GI’s became men in the war, and need a new place to live. • During this time period, America sees an explosion in housing growth, especially the suburbs. • Baby Boom Rise in Conformity • A society that used to admire trailblazers and individuals now began to gravitate towards conformity, or “sameness”. • Americans began to treasure comfort and security. • This attitude was enhanced by images that Americans saw on TV The Beat Generation • Was a counter culture in response to the rise in American conformity. • Goatees, dark clothes, “playing it cool” • “Led” by Jack Kerouac and Allen Ginsburg • Pre-cursor to the counter culture of the 1960’s. Lousy Beatniks! Youth Culture • Young people began to stay in school until completion in greater numbers. • People were marrying younger (especially girls). Conformity was also the norm for young people. Rock and Roll • Came from R&B • Exuded “sexual energy” • Kids loved it • “The Man”… HATED it, and so did parents. • “Elvis the Pelvis”, Jerry Lee Lewis, Little Richard, and more… Rebellion • Teen angst • Showed the rift between the WWII generation and the baby boomers. Rise in Religion • “One nation, under God…” and “In God we trust” appear for the 1st time. • These phrases were used in response to Communism, which was an atheistic culture. • Illustrated the idea of “God-less Communism” vs. “Christian Democracy” Roles of Men and Women • America settles into very different roles for men and women. • Men are the breadwinners, while the women stay at home. – Women are still in the workplace in large numbers • Both of these roles are glorified. • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ibugG89odt0 Government • Post war strikes – As inflation rose, goods became more expensive • Taft-Hartley – The President could force strikers back to work if the strike affected national security • Attempted Civil Rights Legislation, but was blocked by Congress. – Truman Desegregates the Army. What was the New Deal? The Fair Deal • Attempted to extend the New Deal – Raise minimum wage, Unemployment Benefits, National Health Insurance, and other measures • Truman lost support among Democrats – Conservative Democrats • ***Most people thought he would lose the election because of this loss of support, but he did not.*** Truman and Civil Rights • Appoints a biracial committee on Civil Rights. • Desegregates the Army in 1948. • Bans Discrimination in Federal hiring. 1952 Election • Nixon came under fire for allegedly accepting fund from wealthy Republican donors. • The “Checkers Speech” • Nixon - "...the kids, like all kids, love the dog, and...regardless of what they say about it, we're gonna keep it." • The American Public forgave Nixon, and he and Ike got a huge publicity boost because of this speech. Eisenhower (Ike) • 1st Republican President since Hoover • More comfortable working behind the scenes. • Some saw him as a do-nothing president. Ike continued… • ***Republicans wanted to get rid of all New Deal and Fair Deal legislation, but Ike wanted to take a middle road.*** • Created the Interstate Highway System. Ike continued… • Cuts spending, lowers taxation, and tries to shrink the government. • This dynamic conservatism was called “Modern Republicanism”. Ike, NASA, and Education • Our response to the expanding space race. • Increased funding to teach math and science. • Increases financial aid to college students. Sam, American space monkey