what was life like in America 50 years ago

What was Life Like in America 15 Years Ago Name Other information Date The U .S . in the 1950 's

A period of great change A period of new beginnings U .S . as the MOST POWERFUL NATION

Case Study

Joe Smith Joe Smith 's Family Pro In the middle of a war two years ago Now back in his hometown Ecstatic at the thought of renewing family life

Plans Work in the city Look for a new house Housing The G .I . Bill

br Community Life in the Suburbs Economy Employment Entertainment Transportation Culture Civil Rights Science

Housing Problems in the City

Difficult to find suitable housing in the city Shortage in housing facilities

Solution

The suburbs

Purpose To prevent a repeat of Great Depression after World War Two ended

Benefits Cheap mortgage Paid for entire education Encouraged universities to expand enrollment Convenient and attractive Experience a sense of community Able to form organizations and social groups with neighbors A yard where activities may be held Strategically-located Booming and progressive economy

U .S as the richest nation in the world

Increase in average income

Increased spending power Unemployment rate decreased tremendously

The Television The newest craze in America

Benefits No need to go to the theater A binding force for the family

Negative Effects Destroys family communication Creates distance within the family Problem - Very few available transportation from city to suburbs and vice versa Solution - Cars

Effects Expansion of the Automobile industry Cars Necessity Status symbol Music

New consumer market - teenagers Rock and roll Too loud Words and rhythm very different A way to break free from the conformity of society Examples : Elvis Presley , Bill Haley , Chuck Berry Fashion

Very distinct and new Before : Dictated by Paris End of WWII - Lost contact with the fashion World in Paris New clothes similar to what people wore in war Represents feminity and style Beginning of the Civil Rights Movement

Issue : Segregation Main Actor : Martin Luther King Action : Boycott

Significant Development

1965 Supreme Court declaring bus segregation in Alabama as illegal The Outer Space

Competition to reach outer space first

Competitors : United States and Soviet Union

Winner : The Soviet Union Successfully launched the first artificial satellite to orbit Earth in 1957 Maple...