Leading up to the time period in the 1950’s, America faced daunting challenges and overcame difficult encounters. The 1950’s was a time of change in the American world. During this time period, many changes swept the country which can be viewed in two different perspectives. Many individuals view this time period as a flourishing and growing affluence, while others view this time period as the complete opposite. This paper will discuss the different trials and tribulations America faced during this time period as well as the prosperity gained in society.
Prosperity Sweeps America
Leading up to the time era of the 1950’s, America began to seek great movements within the nation. World War II was just ending in 1945. The men of the war had begun to return home to establish normalcy in their lives once again. This would soon be known as the famous “baby boom”. The postwar “baby boom” caused a tremendous population increase, as returning veterans and their wives made up for lost time. The American population grew from 153 million in 1950 to 179 million in 1960 (Moss & Thomas, 1994). This created a significant increase in constructing schools and educational systems for the upcoming generations. The suburban growth increased significantly due to families seeking new homes and jobs. Federal subsidies stimulated economic growth during the 1950s and enabled millions of working-class families to achieve middle-class status (Moss & Thomas, 1994). The postwar economy soared, producing a level of material abundance unequaled in American history. Millions of citizens acquired new homes in the suburbs; purchased new cars, appliances, and television sets; and spent freely on leisure-dine activities (Gorn, 1993). During this decade, millions of Americans could afford goods and services that would have neem beyond their means previously. The rapidly growing American economy generated a widespread abundance that became the envy of the world (Moss & Thomas, 1994). Prosperity swept America and its …show more content…
Although America had overcame obstacles and began to rebuild life and jobs, there were many downfalls associated. Although postwar growth industries flourished, many other industries declined. Many of these included: railroads, coal mining, and textiles. Agriculture took a major blow during this time era as well. The price of goods began to plummet do to the production. Farmers were producing more goods than consumers could purchase making the prices drop significantly. Many of the smaller farms across America were forced to seek other employment or join larger farms. Millions of Americans moved to the suburbs. Although the white, middle-class world of the suburbs set the cultural tone of the postwar era, it was only one side of the spectrum of society within America in that time frame. According to Gorn, there was a whole different side of America that was overlooked. These individuals had much lower incomes, decreased education, and darker skin color. Almost a third of these families had to function and live on less than $4,000 a year.
While most of the economy boomed and consumerism pervaded the culture, anxiety and tensions belied the surface placidity of 1950s society. In this cold war era, fear of Communist expansion abroad and subversion at home, as well as of nuclear war, shaped American life in profound ways. As the long conflict with the Soviet Union took shape in 1946-1947, American society became increasingly obsessed with communism, disloyalty, and dissident opinion generally (Gorn,
Prosperity Sweeps America
Leading up to the time era of the 1950’s, America began to seek great movements within the nation. World War II was just ending in 1945. The men of the war had begun to return home to establish normalcy in their lives once again. This would soon be known as the famous “baby boom”. The postwar “baby boom” caused a tremendous population increase, as returning veterans and their wives made up for lost time. The American population grew from 153 million in 1950 to 179 million in 1960 (Moss & Thomas, 1994). This created a significant increase in constructing schools and educational systems for the upcoming generations. The suburban growth increased significantly due to families seeking new homes and jobs. Federal subsidies stimulated economic growth during the 1950s and enabled millions of working-class families to achieve middle-class status (Moss & Thomas, 1994). The postwar economy soared, producing a level of material abundance unequaled in American history. Millions of citizens acquired new homes in the suburbs; purchased new cars, appliances, and television sets; and spent freely on leisure-dine activities (Gorn, 1993). During this decade, millions of Americans could afford goods and services that would have neem beyond their means previously. The rapidly growing American economy generated a widespread abundance that became the envy of the world (Moss & Thomas, 1994). Prosperity swept America and its …show more content…
Although America had overcame obstacles and began to rebuild life and jobs, there were many downfalls associated. Although postwar growth industries flourished, many other industries declined. Many of these included: railroads, coal mining, and textiles. Agriculture took a major blow during this time era as well. The price of goods began to plummet do to the production. Farmers were producing more goods than consumers could purchase making the prices drop significantly. Many of the smaller farms across America were forced to seek other employment or join larger farms. Millions of Americans moved to the suburbs. Although the white, middle-class world of the suburbs set the cultural tone of the postwar era, it was only one side of the spectrum of society within America in that time frame. According to Gorn, there was a whole different side of America that was overlooked. These individuals had much lower incomes, decreased education, and darker skin color. Almost a third of these families had to function and live on less than $4,000 a year.
While most of the economy boomed and consumerism pervaded the culture, anxiety and tensions belied the surface placidity of 1950s society. In this cold war era, fear of Communist expansion abroad and subversion at home, as well as of nuclear war, shaped American life in profound ways. As the long conflict with the Soviet Union took shape in 1946-1947, American society became increasingly obsessed with communism, disloyalty, and dissident opinion generally (Gorn,