26. The Affluent Society

I. Introduction

• In 1958, John Kenneth Galbraith published The Affluent Society, critiquing the post-WWII American economy.
• Galbraith argued that the U.S. economy's focus on luxury consumption led to inequality and was unsustainable.
• Despite economic growth, the era faced issues like inequality, ecological damage, and discrimination.

II. The Rise of the Suburbs

• New Deal programs like HOLC and FHA facilitated suburban growth and home ownership.
• Postwar government spending and the G.I. Bill fueled economic expansion and suburbanization.
• Suburban population nearly doubled between 1950 and 1970, driving a consumer boom.
• Discriminatory practices like redlining excluded minorities from suburban benefits.

III. Race and Education

• Segregated schooling was challenged, leading to the landmark Brown v. Board of Education ruling in 1954.
• The ruling declared racial segregation in schools unconstitutional, but was met with resistance.
• Slow implementation, with integration gains only notable after additional court rulings in the late 1960s.

IV. Civil Rights in an Affluent Society

• The civil rights movement gained momentum in the 1950s with events like the Montgomery Bus Boycott.
• Leaders like Martin Luther King Jr. emerged, forming groups like SCLC to fight for civil rights.
• Despite progress, the movement faced significant opposition and violence.

V. Gender and Culture in the Affluent Society

• The consumer economy reshaped American culture, emphasizing traditional gender roles.
• Television became a dominant cultural force, reinforcing family ideals.
• The baby boom and growing youth culture questioned societal norms, with rock 'n' roll influencing youth rebellion.

VI. Politics and Ideology in the Affluent Society

• Suburban growth influenced politics, reinforcing capitalism and conservative ideologies.
• Organizations like NAM and FEE promoted free market ideas.
• Eisenhower's presidency attempted a middle path, supporting some New Deal programs against conservative opposition.

VII. Conclusion

• The postwar era promised prosperity but faced underlying contradictions and inequalities.

VIII. Primary Sources

• Documents and cases like Brown v. Board of Education and testimony on civil rights provide insight into the era's challenges.

IX. Reference Material

• Edited by James McKay, with contributions from various scholars, providing a comprehensive view of the Affluent Society.

Recommended Reading

• Suggested books and articles offer further exploration into the themes of economic growth, civil rights, and social changes in postwar America.