American Abundance John Kenneth Galbraith an economist Published The Affluent Society The United States and a few other industrialized nations had created what Galbraith called an economy of abundance New business techniques and improved technology enabled these nations to produce an a ID: 1033953
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1. Postwar AmericaThe Affluent Society
2. American AbundanceJohn Kenneth Galbraith (an economist)Published The Affluent SocietyThe United States and a few other industrialized nations had created what Galbraith called an “economy of abundance.” New business techniques and improved technology enabled these nations to produce an abundance of goods and services for their people—all of which allowed many of them to enjoy a standard of living never before thought possible.
3. American AbundanceThe Spread of WealthIncome tripled between 1940 and 1955White Collar workers outnumbered blue collared workers for the first timeWhite collar jobs: jobs in which a person could wear a shirt and tie (office)Blue-collar jobs: jobs where physical labor is performed (in industry)
4. American AbundanceMultinationals and FranchisesBusiness expanded overseas and took advantage of a cheaper labor pool to become multinational corporationsFranchises: where a person owns more than one or several stores of a chain operation, became common
5. American AbundanceThe Organization ManEmployees were expected to conform to the standards and norms of the organization that they worked for and to “fit in” without speaking out against the companyIn a book by William H. Whyte, Jr. called The Organization Man, the American worker was characterized as, “In group doctrine the strong personality is viewed with overwhelming suspicion and the person with his own ideas is considered a threat”.
6. American AbundanceThe New ConsumerismPeople wanted to own the same new products as their neighbors (“keeping up with the Jones’”)More sophisticated advertising helped spur America’s spending spree
7. American AbundanceThe Growth of SuburbiaLevittown: one of the earliest suburbs located in New YorkThe suburbs were criticized for mass producing hundreds of simple and similar looking homes Some observers viewed the growth of such plain and identical looking communities as another sign of America’s tendency toward conformity
8. The 1950s FamilyThe Baby BoomBirthrates exploded between 1945 and 1961More than 65 million children were born A child was born every 7 seconds during the height of the baby boomToday these “baby boomers” are retiring in record numbers
9. The 1950s FamilyWomen in the FiftiesMany women focused on being homemakers.Magazines and other media advertised that a woman would be happy by supporting her husband in the home as he went to work each day.Despite this, women working outside of the home increased during the 1950s.
10. Technological BreakthroughsAdvances in ElectronicsThe transistor made it possible to miniaturize radios and calculatorsUnivac (Universal Automatic Computer) was an early model computer that handled business data and launched the computer revolution.
11. Technological BreakthroughsMedical MiraclesJonas Salk developed an injectable vaccine that prevented polio.Albert Sabin developed an oral vaccine for polio.
12. Technological BreakthroughsConquering SpaceFour months after the Soviets launched Sputnik, the United States launched its first satellite into space.Airplanes became smoother and faster.
13. The diagram shows three board categories of factors that contributed to the baby boom. Explain these factors and how they contributed to the baby boom.War’s EndPopular CultureGovernmentBaby Boom
14. The diagram shows three board categories of factors that contributed to the baby boom. Explain these factors and how they contributed to the baby boom.Several factors contributed to the baby boom. First, young couples who had delayed marriage during World War II and the Korean War could now marry, buy homes, and begin their families. In addition, the government encouraged the growth of families by offering generous GI benefits for home purchases. Finally, television and in magazines celebrated pregnancy, parenthood, and large families.
15. What were some reasons for rapid growth of suburbia in the 1950s?
16. What were some reasons for rapid growth of suburbia in the 1950s?Some whites moved to the suburbs to escape the crime and congestion of the city. Others viewed life in the suburbs as a move up to a better life. Also, the GI Bill offered low-interest loans, making new housing quite affordable during the post war period. Equally attractive was the government’s offer of income tax deductions for home mortgage interest payments and property taxes. For millions of Americans, the suburbs came to symbolize the American dream. They owned their homes, sent their children to good schools, lived in safe communities, and were economically secure.