Mood of the 1950's

My notes are a little more complete, and organized so I thought I would share them.

For Some reason, the outline format doesn't look very good, so here is the word document

I. The Postwar Economy
   A. As American Soldiers returned from war, they were eager to begin lives of prosperity. Soon, the economy was booming. GNP jumped, and so did RPP.
   B. Corporations create new job.
       1. Corporations, such as car companies, grew very fast. Many new jobs were formed.
       2. Companies began to diversify their portfolios, so as to prevent a disaster such as the depression from reoccurring.
       3. Entrepreneurship increased drastically as well.
       4. McDonalds was started as a franchise, the right to open restaurants using the same system, during this time period as well.
   C. Technology Transforms Life
       1. Walt Disney wrote a story about a fisherman who opened a bottle, and released a terrible genie. This was compared to nuclear weapons.
       2. The first nuclear power plant was developed.
       3. The Computer Industry
          a. The first computers and their software were developed during this time. The 1950 US Census used computers for the first time.
          b. The transistor was invented, allowing computers to be fit into much smaller spaces than before.
      4. Television
          a. The television became very popular during this time. By 1953, 2/3 of all Amercian families owned a TV.
  D. Changes in the Work Force
       1. Using technology, Americans were able to stop relying on manufacturing jobs, and began switching to white-collar jobs.
       2. The new working conditions were very favorable to the old factories, and many people felt encouraged by the clean, light offices.
   E. Changes in Farm Work and Life
      1. Technological innovations, such as fertilizers, fungicides, pesticides, etc helped advance farming. Many farmers couldn’t compete with technology, and so they began moving to cities and suburbs. This industry would soon be called agribusiness
   F. Americans Move to the Suburbs
       1. The birth rate went much higher during this time. These larger families were soon seeking new homes, and this greatly boosted the economy.
       2. Suburbs were developed, and soon became much more advanced.
      3. Houses became fairly affordable, though rather monotonous. These new suburbs relied on more cars and roads, and the car industry and the government met this challenge.
   G. Consumer Credit Finances Growth
       1. As purchasing power increased, people were more tempted to borrow money, and so they did. This also helped to boost the economy.
       2. Soon, America would have to deal with the consequences of abundance.
II. The Mood of the 1950s
    A. Middle Class Americans were comfortable, and did not worry too much about the poor people of the time period.
    B. Americans Value Conformity
       1. Rather than value uniqueness, Americans sought to imitate those around them.
       2. A famous story written by a sociologist had the lesson, “Always stay on the track no matter what.”
       3. The middle-class youth had little interest in the politics of the time period, they preferred to party and join morally liberal groups.
      4. Many young people rejected the ideas of their parents.
       5. Religion Revives in the United States
         a. Many people began going back to religion, partly because of the threat of those “godless communists.”
         b. In 1954, Congress added Under God, to the Pledge of Allegiance, and added “In God We Trust” on all currency.
      6. Women’s and Men’s Roles
         a. Roles of Men and Women were very defined. Men were to support the family, while women should cook, keep house, and raise children. The government made it clear that it wanted the women at home with their children
         b. Many Women began resettling into their roles as house wives.
         c. However, many other Women resisted this change, and many women began to work again.
         d. Many people debated what should be the role of women
            i. Benjamin Spock wrote a book telling women that they should stay at home and help their children.
            ii. Betty Friedan wrote a book criticizing the limited role of women.
   C. Pockets of Nonconformity appear
      1. In his book, The Catcher in the Rye, J.D. Salinger confronted the idea of hypocrites and phonies in American society.
      2. Many other people, such as beatniks, began to confront the ideas of society.