Economics in the 1950s Following WWII, Americans prospered due to an expanding economy stimulated by America s involvement in the war. Why would America have prospered from the war? The economy prospered because industry shifted from making war goods to making consumer goods. After the war, the rationing of consumer goods was over, and businesses converted from production of war materials to consumer goods. Soon, Americans purchased goods on credit. As the soldiers returned, the workforce shifted back to men, and most women returned to family responsibilities After the war, Labor unions merged and became more powerful, and as a result workers gained new benefits and higher salaries As economic prosperity continued and technology bloomed, the next generation of women re-entered the workforce in larger numbers
Women s and Civil Rights in the 1950s We shall not, however, finally achieve the ideals for which this nation was founded so long as any American suffers discrimination as a result of his race, or religion, or color, or the land of origin of his forefathers. Harry S Truman During his Presidency Harry S. Truman desegregated the military, and the Korean War is the first war where men of different races fight side by side in the same units. As a result African Americans began to gain new rights, but there is still a great deal of segregation and discrimination. Women joined the struggle for new rights. Although women were briefly removed from their jobs as a result of men returning from war, the expanding economy needed more workers and women re-entered the work force. In short, women continued to work, even after men returned from War (because of a booming economy). Women had help from Eleanor Roosevelt in expanding women s rights. She spoke of the evolving role of women, who were now expected to play supporting role in the family and home while working outside of the home.
The GI Bill After the war ended, Congress passed the Servicemen s Readjustment Act (known informally as the GI Bill) which allowed veterans to Attend college, receive specialized training, set up businesses, buy homes, obtain unemployment and health care and they were all helped by government funds ($$). This allowed men who previously had not had the money or ability to go to college or buy a house to now do so. Amazingly, 2,250,000 veterans received part of their college education from the GI Bill. This led to the increase in the education level of Americans.
As soldiers returned from war, their families grew in the 1950s, increasing the U.S. population by 20%. Why would family size increase? There were three major reasons: 1. War is over 2. Higher Incomes 3. Better Health Care Baby Boom and Suburbanization The growth in the population affected the lives of women, the economy, and education systems which had to grow to accommodate the much larger population. After the war the economy balanced out and began to boom. This economic growth led to suburban expansion. In fact, 75% of new home construction took place in the suburbs in the 1950s. These houses were farther outside of the cities, which made them more affordable, although cars became a necessity. President Eisenhower observed this change and decided the United States needed a new mode of transportation. This led to the development of the modern highway system now people could commute back and forth to work in their cars. Because of the growing population and suburbanization, Americans begin to buy more things that they wanted using Credit. We also had a new form of communication and entertainment: the television. There were 6.5 million sets produced annually in the 1950s, and some popular shows included: Mickey Mouse Club, American Bandstand, I Love Lucy, and Leave it to Beaver.
The Red Scare During the Cold War, Americans became consumed with the idea that communism would get into the United States. This paranoia led to mistrust of neighbors and increasing accusations (most without merit) of Russian spies in the U.S. In response to this fear, the federal government created the House Un-American Activities Committee 1947 (HUAC). This Committee s goal was to find all communists in America, and get rid of them. They would ask, are you now or have you ever been a communist? There was also a great fear of nuclear attack. As defense against what was seen as an impending nuclear attack by the Soviet Union, Americans were taught to duck and cover to protect themselves from the explosion. In the 1950s, a United States senator named Joseph McCarthy claimed he had a long list of proven communists. One by one, people were called to Congressional hearings before McCarthy and accused of being communist, but many of those accused had no evidence against them! Millions of Americans watched the hearings unfold on television. As time went on, the hearings became increasingly hysterical and absurd. Playwright Arthur Miller compared them to the Salem Witch Trials, in his popular play The Crucible. Eventually, McCarthy crossed the line he accused a respected member of the Army of being a communist and the hearings ended.