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Post-WWII Economic Boom
US economy grew due to global recovery.
Pax Americana
Period of American economic dominance post-WWII.
Bretton Woods Conference
1944 meeting establishing global economic institutions.
World Bank
Provides loans to developing countries.
International Monetary Fund (IMF)
Stabilizes international currencies.
General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT)
Sets global trade rules established in 1947.
Military-Industrial Complex
Eisenhower's term for military-industry collaboration.
Defense Department Bureaucracy
Grew significantly for national security post-WWII.
Defense Spending Increase
Rose from 1% to 10% of GDP.
Sputnik Launch
1957 USSR satellite prompting US education reforms.
National Defense Education Act
1958 act increasing funding for scientific research.
Corporate Domination
Post-WWII corporations expanded and took over industries.
White-Collar Workforce
New workers sourced from universities for corporations.
David Riseman's The Lonely Crowd
Critique of corporate life as unmasculine.
Automation Impact
Manufacturing jobs lost to machines post-WWII.
GDP Growth
US GDP doubled in 15 years, quintupled in 30.
Income Inequality Reduction
Dropped by 33% during postwar prosperity.
The Affluent Society
Galbraith's critique of neglecting the poor.
The Other America
Harrington's focus on the overlooked impoverished.
GI Bill
1944 law aiding WWII veterans' education and housing.
Trade Unions' Role
Gained power post-Great Depression, improved worker conditions.
Consumer Republic
A society characterized by high levels of consumption.
Baby Boom
Significant increase in births post-WWII.
Disposable Income
Income available for spending after necessities.
Commercial TV
Television programming designed to sell products.
Nuclear Family
Family unit consisting of parents and children.
Teenager
Cultural phenomenon emerging post-WWI, influencing markets.
Market Research
Study of consumer preferences and buying habits.
Rock 'n' Roll
Music genre symbolizing rebellion and youth culture.
Cultural Dissenters
Individuals rejecting mainstream societal norms.
Beat Generation
Literary movement emphasizing rebellion and nonconformity.
Billy Graham
Evangelist who used TV to spread Christianity.
Robert Schuller
Preacher integrating modern materialism into his message.
Vincent Peale
Author promoting therapeutic approaches to religion.
Cold War
Period of geopolitical tension post-WWII.
Compassionate Marriages
Marriages focused on romance and friendship.
Middle Class
Social class characterized by moderate income and lifestyle.
Television Advertisers
Professionals skilled in promoting products via TV.
Youth Culture
Cultural norms and practices of young people.
Hollywood Influence
Impact of film industry on youth spending habits.
Interracial Dating
Romantic relationships between individuals of different races.
Pledge of Allegiance
U.S. patriotic oath, modified in 1954.
Materialism in Religion
Integration of consumer values into religious messages.
Baby Boom
Significant increase in birth rates post-WWII.
Average Marriage Age
Lowered age at which Americans married.
Dr. Jonas Salk
Developed the polio vaccine in 1954.
Common Sense Book
Dr. Spock's influential parenting guide.
Feminism Rise
Women questioned traditional roles, leading to feminism.
Women in Workforce
Increased participation of women in jobs post-WWII.
Cultural Conservatism
Rise in traditional values during the postwar era.
Griswold v. Connecticut
1965 case allowing contraceptive access for women.
Alfred Kinsey
Studied American sexual behavior scientifically.
Homophile Movement
Activism for gay and lesbian rights in America.
Media Influence
Concerns over morality in media content emerged.
Playboy Magazine
Founded in 1953, promoted a sexual lifestyle.
Women's Pay Gap
Women earned 60% of men's wages.
Middle-Class Values
Emphasis on education and family stability.
Miracle Drugs
Medications that significantly improved health outcomes.
Penicillin
Antibiotic discovered in 1943, revolutionized medicine.
Streptomycin
Antibiotic introduced in 1945 for tuberculosis treatment.
Cortisone
Anti-inflammatory drug introduced in 1946.
Job Market Tightness
Baby boomers faced limited job opportunities upon entry.
Women's Roles
Expected to manage home and family responsibilities.
Stereotypical Jobs
Women often restricted to traditional career paths.
College Enrollment Surge
Increase in students attending college during this era.
Suburbanization
Movement of people from cities to suburbs post-WWII.
Postwar Housing Boom
Rapid increase in suburban housing after WWII.
William J. Levitt
Builder known for mass-producing affordable homes.
FHA
Federal Housing Administration; facilitated affordable mortgages.
VA
Veterans Administration; supported home loans for veterans.
Levittowns
Suburban communities created by Levitt, racially exclusive.
Shelley v. Kraemer
1948 case outlawing racial covenants in housing.
Fair Housing Act
1968 law prohibiting housing discrimination.
Interstate Highways Act
1956 law funding 42,500 miles of highways.
Cold War Infrastructure
Highways built for defense against nuclear attacks.
Dwight Eisenhower
President who endorsed the Interstate Highways Act.
Fast Food Industry
Began with McDonald's, revolutionized suburban dining.
Ray Kroc
Expanded McDonald's into largest restaurant chain.
Sunbelt
Region known for low taxes and mild climate.
Military Industrial Complex
Economic growth driven by defense spending.
Orange County, CA
Example of suburban growth linked to military bases.
Disneyland
Theme park in Orange County, spurred suburban development.
Shopping Malls
New consumer centers that fit suburban lifestyles.
Consumption Culture
Postwar focus on consumerism as societal keystone.
Racial Discrimination
Continued in housing despite legal prohibitions.
Suburban Lifestyle
Characterized by car commuting and shopping centers.
Kerner Commission
1967 report on racial division in America.
Urban Crisis
Problems in cities due to poverty and racism.
Post-WWII Immigration
Increased acceptance of immigrants after World War II.
Displaced Persons Act
1948 law allowing 415,000 European immigrants.
McCarran-Walter Act
1952 law ending Asian immigration exclusion.
Bracero Program
1942 program utilizing Mexican labor in agriculture.
Urban Immigrants
Post-WWII immigrants settling in major cities.
Cuban Refugees
Immigrants fleeing Castro's regime, settling in Miami.
Institutionalized Racism
Systemic discrimination affecting African Americans' opportunities.
Slum Housing
Poor quality housing in urban areas.
Racial Segregation
Separation of races in housing and communities.
Federal Housing Projects
Government-funded housing often isolating communities.
Urban Displacement
1.4 million people displaced by city demolition.
Eisenhower's Dynamic Conservatism
Balanced welfare with reduced federal government power.
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