© Karalynn Tyler 2016

The U.S. in the Modern Era

When you see the pencil appear, fill in the information in red on your info-graphic guided notes page.

© Karalynn Tyler 2016

In August of 1945, millions of people around the world celebrated the end of World War II. President Truman announced new reforms he called “The Fair Deal” to increase minimum wage, improve social security, and begin new housing project. But the government also no longer needed to produce wartime products and cancelled war contracts which put many defense workers out of a job.

But the economy would shift easily from war to peace time production. Most Americans were tired of going without after the Great Depression and rationed goods during the war. People were eager to spend money. The increased spending created new jobs and brought in a period of prosperity.

© Karalynn Tyler 2016

As millions of men returned home from the military after World War II, Americans were aware of the need to take care of the men who had served overseas. To make sure these men had jobs, homes, and educational opportunities, the government passed the GI Bill.

The GI Bill provided veterans with tuition if they wanted to go to college. It gave returning military priority as they sought employment. Veterans could also get a home loan with no money down as long as they had a way to make monthly house payments. The GI Bill allowed returning soldiers to settle down with a family and led to a growth in the American middle class.

G.I. Bill Legislation that provided returning WWII veterans

with inexpensive home loans and college tuition.

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Until after World War II, the birthrate in America had been falling. The “roaring 20’s” lifestyle led to later marriages and smaller families. The Great Depression meant families couldn’t afford to feed more mouths. World War II had separated husbands and wives and put engagements on hold.

In 1946 Americans were surprised by the growing number of babies being born. By 1954, the number of births topped four million. This post-war growth of families became known as the baby boom. It lasted about twenty years spanning from 1946 to 1964. The large increase in kids created new demands for homes, schools, and other consumer goods.

Baby Boom A large increase in the number of babies born

after World War II ended. The generation born in

1946-1964.

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During World War II, the War Production Board had shifted America’s industry to wartime products. During this time, very few new homes had been built. With the growth of families and the baby boom, most of America was experiencing a housing shortage.

To meet the needs of families, construction companies began expanding suburban neighborhoods using the same building plans. The communities with matching houses sprung up quickly on the edges of urban cities. These homes had to meet high quality building standards in order to qualify for the GI Bill home loans. Families relied on their cars to drive them from the new suburban neighborhoods into cities for work.

Growth of Suburbs Housing shortages for growing families were

met with a rapid growth of neighborhoods on the

outskirts of cities.

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Americans bought automobiles as fast as manufacturers could make them. The Suburban lifestyle led to a change in the way Americans lived- how they shopped and spent time together. A new car culture emerged to cater to this suburban lifestyle. Families relied on cars and many families were owning more than one car to meet their needs.

As people spent more time in cars, businesses began offering drive-in services. Restaurants added drive-up services and drive-through windows. Fast food began replacing sit-down dining. Banks added drive through tellers. Drive-in movie theaters became popular where movie goers parked to watch films from their cars.

Interstate Highway Act

With the growth of suburbs, families relied on cars. Businesses catered to the new car culture by

offering drive in diners, theaters, bank tellers, and fast food drive-through. Suburban shopping

centers replaced city shopping.

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President Dwight D. Eisenhower encouraged Congress to invest in a highway system that would connect America’s cities and increase mobility. He felt it was important for national defense because our military could use it for transportation as well as provide accessible roads to move people in case of an emergency.

Congress passed the Interstate Highway Act in 1956, calling for the construction of 41,000 miles of highways to be built. The project took 25 years to complete and cost America over $100 billion. The highways changed the look of the country. Restaurants, hotels, shopping centers, and new towns sprung up along the interstates.

Interstate Highway Act1956 legislation to build

41,000 miles of highways to meet transportation demands.

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The post-WWII culture emphasized marriage and family. The traditional family of the 1950’s and 1960’s had fathers who went to work each week day and mothers who generally stayed home to take care of children and run the home.

Women with young children were usually stay-at-home moms. However, many young women still attended college and earned a degree. Many worked until they were married and had children. Women were usually limited to working jobs that were viewed as “female” jobs such as teaching, nursing, or working as secretaries. Some women attended college simply to find a husband because that was what society expected.

Rock & Roll

Traditional Families:Most baby boomers grew

up in families where the fathers worked to support

the family and mothers stayed home to keep house

and raise children.

Television

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The Baby Boom generation was the first to grow up with a new way to get news and be entertained. The first practical television system was introduced in the 1940’s and by the end of the decade, the price of a television set was at a point where most middle class families could afford to have one in their home. The popularity of the television swept the country and by 1955, over 65% of American families owned a T.V.

The television allowed Americans to see the world in a new way and made the world seem a bit smaller. National and global events were streamed into people’s homes and Americans were more caught up on current issues. Besides popular television shows like “I Love Lucy”, “Gun Smoke”, and “Twilight Zone”, Americans watched news events with images of protests, political campaigns and even war.

By 1955 two-thirds of

families owned a TV.

© Karalynn Tyler 2016

At first, the radio industry was threatened by the popularity of television. However, in 1951, a radio disc jockey in Cleveland, Ohio began playing a new type of music that blended rhythm and blues with country that he called Rock and Roll. Teenagers loved the sound. Rock and Roll became the music of the Baby Boom generation.

In 1955, Elvis Presley became the most popular Rock and Roll musician. His music was played on radio stations across America. He became a teen idol and national star. Screaming fans mobbed him wherever he went.

Parents, on the other hand, were shocked at his music- especially his hip-shaking dance moves. Many television stations would only show his upper body when he performed. Rock and Roll took over the

Rock & RollNew style of music in the early

1950’s that influenced people’s attitude and culture.

© Karalynn Tyler 2016

Optional Video Resources• 1952 Day in the Life of a 1950’s Small Town https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jqe4W08124M • Newsreel about building Levittown https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OApZePeJSdU • U.S. Post World War II Boom https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gmka2mydsD0 • The Century: America’s Time- 1946-1952 Best

Years https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4VdXTw4q6y8 • 1950’s Rock and Roll- The Era, Music, & Dancing https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DTh406JSLPg