The Postwar Boom (1945 - 1960)
This chapter focuses on the changes that occurred in American society after WWII.
(not dealing with Communism... which was discussed in Chapter 18)
(hardly dealing with Civil Rights... which will be discussed in greater detail during Chapter 21)
Some highlights include:
Major cities became increasingly popular places to live in. A lack of available space led to the development of suburbs (with affordable homes and cars plus the development of new highways connecting them to cities).
After a brief period of adjustment following the war, the economy really did well (people in the U.S. spent $$$ saved up during the war, the Marshall Plan kept factories churning out all kinds of products, etc...). Many different kinds of businesses became successful and jobs that involved little hard manual labor became increasingly available and valued as automation really began to take jobs out of factories.
Presidents Truman and Eisenhower focused most of their attention on foreign policy issues.
There was an increase in the divorce rate immediately following WWII, but there was also a record amount of marriages and babies born.
Television rapidly expands and begins to heavily influence society (especially white middle class people)
Rock n' Roll transforms the music industry (and our society) forever, as large numbers of young white teenagers get exposed to music from mostly (not all... see Elvis below) African - American musicians.
(not dealing with Communism... which was discussed in Chapter 18)
(hardly dealing with Civil Rights... which will be discussed in greater detail during Chapter 21)
Some highlights include:
Major cities became increasingly popular places to live in. A lack of available space led to the development of suburbs (with affordable homes and cars plus the development of new highways connecting them to cities).
After a brief period of adjustment following the war, the economy really did well (people in the U.S. spent $$$ saved up during the war, the Marshall Plan kept factories churning out all kinds of products, etc...). Many different kinds of businesses became successful and jobs that involved little hard manual labor became increasingly available and valued as automation really began to take jobs out of factories.
Presidents Truman and Eisenhower focused most of their attention on foreign policy issues.
There was an increase in the divorce rate immediately following WWII, but there was also a record amount of marriages and babies born.
Television rapidly expands and begins to heavily influence society (especially white middle class people)
Rock n' Roll transforms the music industry (and our society) forever, as large numbers of young white teenagers get exposed to music from mostly (not all... see Elvis below) African - American musicians.
The Main Objective of Chapter 19 is for students to understand the economic, social, and cultural changes that occurred in the U.S. between the end of WWI & 1960.
By the end of this chapter, students should be able to:
1. Identify economic problems Americans faced after WWII and discuss how they were dealt with by the government, business leaders, and average citizens.
2. Identify the Civil Rights measures that Truman put into effect.
3. Identify the main reason for the divide in the Democrat party during the 1948 Election and explain what happened on election day.
4. Compare and contrast the domestic policies under presidents Truman and Eisenhower.
5. Explain the differences between blue and white collar jobs.
6. Explain how different kinds of businesses (conglomerates, franchises) emerged after WWII.
7. Describe the suburban lifestyle of the 1950s.
8. Identify causes and effects of the boom in the auto industry.
9. Explain what consumerism means and reasons why it increased during the 1950s.
10. Explain how TV became popular, who the target audience was, and the impact it had on radio and movies.
11. Explain how Rock N’ Roll became popular, who the target audience was, and the impact it had on integration.
12. Explain how white migration to new suburbs began to create problems in urban areas.
Tentative Schedule for Chapter 19
Combined with Chapter 18 (Cold War Intro Unit)
The Century - Happy Days (45 minutes long)
This video covers much of the content in Chapter 19 (also some things that were in chapter 18 and will be in chapter 21). Some of the material covered includes modern businesses, middle class life in suburbs, the increasing popularity of TV and Rock n Roll, Civil Rights advances, and Cold War competition between the U.S. and the Soviet Union. The questions that accompany this video can be found by clicking here.