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Economic Prosperity and Social Struggles of the 1950s

Apr 10, 2025

The Affluent Society - Chapter 28

Overview

  • The 1950s and early 1960s were marked by significant economic prosperity and the ongoing struggle against communism.
  • Dwight D. Eisenhower was a key political figure, reflecting a mix of self-satisfaction and anxiety during the Cold War era.
  • Despite the prosperity, social issues persisted, including poverty and discrimination.

Economic Growth

  • Post-war period saw a 250% increase in the gross national product.
  • Unemployment was low, and inflation remained around 3%.
  • "Baby boom" contributed to increased consumer demand.
  • Suburban growth stimulated various sectors, including the automobile and housing industries.

The Rise of the Modern West

  • Federal spending and infrastructure projects spurred growth in the American West.
  • The increase in automobile use boosted the petroleum industry.
  • State investments in universities attracted technology-intensive industries.

The New Economics

  • Keynesian economics gained acceptance, emphasizing government regulation to stabilize the economy.
  • Economic growth was seen as a means to eliminate poverty without sacrificing affluence.

Labor and Industry

  • Corporate mergers increased; few large companies controlled much of the economy.
  • Labor unions saw improved wages and benefits but faced challenges in organizing new workers.

Science and Technology

  • Significant advances in medicine, such as antibiotics and vaccines, notably against polio.
  • Development of pesticides like DDT, with later recognition of its harmful effects.
  • The rise of television and the invention of the transistor and integrated circuits.
  • Early computer technology advanced with the introduction of UNIVAC.

Space and Military Developments

  • The U.S. developed the hydrogen bomb and entered the space race with the Soviet Union.
  • NASA was established, leading to manned space explorations, including the Apollo moon landing.

Social Developments

  • Middle-class lifestyle expanded, driven by consumer culture and suburbanization.
  • The rise of television influenced American culture and reinforced traditional gender roles.
  • The "baby boom" and suburban growth marked significant shifts in family and community life.

Civil Rights Movement

  • The Brown v. Board of Education case ended legal school segregation.
  • The Montgomery Bus Boycott and Martin Luther King Jr.'s nonviolent protest strategy were pivotal.
  • The movement gained momentum, with increasing support for racial equality.

Eisenhower Republicanism

  • Eisenhower maintained moderate policies, resisted dismantling the New Deal, and supported economic stability.
  • The Federal Highway Act of 1956 was a major accomplishment.

Cold War and International Affairs

  • The U.S. pursued policies of containment and massive retaliation against communist threats.
  • The U-2 incident and various crises in the Middle East and Latin America tested U.S. foreign policy.

Conclusion

  • The 1950s were a complex era, marked by economic growth, cultural stability, and underlying social tensions.
  • Rising unrest and the ongoing Cold War set the stage for the transformative 1960s.