American Society 1949-1956 1)Relate how Eisenhower

tried to help the economy. 2)Explain how the U.S.

Economy changed during the 1950s.

3)Describe U.S. Suburban life.

Nuclear Anxiety Americans feared nuclear war.

Many turned to religion. Many built fallout shelters.

Eisenhower's Programs Eisenhower as POTUS;

Cut farm subsidies Increased on Social

Programs. Increased Educational

Spending. Advocated fiscal

conservatism, but supported New Deal.

The Affluent Society American Economy stronger than ever!

Producing ½ of all goods in world. 60% of Americans “Middle-Class”. Other 40%?

Factories and Automation Companies merge into larger corporations.

Need more Professional workers to run things.

Factories begin to automate some work. Use machines instead of people.

White Collar jobs increase, Blue-Collar decrease.

Unions and the 1950s Cooperated with companies instead of fighting.

Worked to guarantee better pay/benefits. Corruption in Unions hurt images.

Membership slowly declines.

Suburban Life and Consumerism More Americans can afford to live far away.

Result: Suburbs!

Suburban Life and Consumerism Highway Act of 1956

Proposed and developed an interstate highway system across the U.S.

Suburban Life and Consumerism New Highways connected suburbs with cities.

Americans could commute to work.

Suburban Life

- The “Ideal” Suburban Life- Bedroom Communities.- Wife as Homemakers.- Lots of kids!

Suburban Life and Consumerism The Baby Boom.

More marriages at younger ages. (1946-1964) 77 million births.

Suburbs perfect place to raise family?

Consumerism and Advertising

Consumerism and Advertising