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.