Ch. 26 - The Affluent Society

What did Pres. Eisenhower express concerns about in his Farewell Address in 1961?

concerns about the military industrial complex, the balance of power, foreign policy, and national security.

What was the G.I. Bill? Why does it matter?

1944; included gov. subsidized mortgages veterans buying suburban homes and provided free college education for veterans. Matters because it gave people the chance to enter the middle class.

What did the economic boom of the 1950s and 1960s result in? Did African Americans benefit from it to the same extent as white Americans?

resulted in widespread prosperity, consumer culture, suburbanization, rising incomes and industrial growth. It did not benefit African Americans the same way as whites. Because some places discriminated racially, or they weren’t allowed in school so they couldn’t prosper fairly.

What did popular TV shows such as I Love Lucy symbolize about American culture at the time?

Symbolized new American values, the role of women and domesticity, family values, racial and social norms in America at that time.

What was the Baby Boom? What impact did it have?

1946-1964; 76 million babies were born into the US. Occurred because the age people got married went down after WW2. Cause the education system to expand and domestic household ideal to form (stay at home mom and working dad)

Who was William J. Levitt?

real estate developer known for creating Levitt towns. known for mass production approach to building of homes. Cheaper and faster.

What were the Sunbelt and the Snowbelt (or Rustbelt)? What shift was taking place in the Cold War era?

refer to regions of the United States that experienced significant demographic and economic shifts. These shifts were largely influenced by factors like climate, economic change, and migration patterns. The Sunbelt's rapid growth was fueled by migration, technological innovation, and the defense industry, while the Rustbelt faced economic decline due to deindustrialization, automation, and outsourcing.

What did the Supreme Court case Shelley v. Kraemer (1948) have to do with? What was the decision?

Dealt with fair housing for African Americans. In 1948, the U.S. Supreme Court sided with African American plaintiffs and, in Shelley v. Kraemer, declared racially restrictive neighborhood housing covenants—property deed restrictions barring sales to racial minorities—legally unenforceable.

What does the phrase “white flight” mean?

The emphasis on Suburbia; cities were goingin into decline after WW2; people who were white/affluent would leave cities and move to suburbs.

what was Eisenhower’s Interstate and Defense Highways Act (1956)? Why does it matter? What was its impact?

$26 billion spent, intended for defense purposes; he wanted rapid mobilization of troops in case of Soviet attack. It made it possible to live in suburbs and commute to the city for work.

Who was Alfred Kinsey, and why is he significant?

American biologist, sexologist who became known for his research on human sexuality, male and female. His work reshaped the way society viewed sex, sexuality, and gender, offering new insights into the diversity of human sexual experience and paving the way for greater sexual liberation and social acceptance of sexual diversity.

What were the Mattachine Society and the Daughters of Bilitis?

Among the first LGBTQ+ advocacy organizations in the US, founded in the 1950’s. They aimed to promote the rights and acceptance of gay ppl and to combat discrimination. Mattachine was gay men and Daughters of Bilitis was lesbian women.

What was McCarthyism? (Hint: Red Scare of 1950s) When did it begin?

A name to attach extreme anti-communist attitude and related policies. It began in the 1940’s and 1950’s.

What was HUAC? Who was Joseph McCarthy?

House Unamerican Activities Commitee (1938), investigated radicals in labor unions and any New Deal agencies. Joseph McCarthy was a Rep. senator from Wisconsin who made a famous speech in 1950 saying he had a list of communists working in the state, became popular for accusing people of communism, creating a panic in the public, and destroying lives.

Who were the Beats? What kinds of things did they value?

A group of dissatisfied poets & writers who rejected the 1950’s ideal and values. They valued Jazz, experiences more than things, drugs, sex, spirituality, and spontaneity.

Who was Jack Kerouac? What book did he write?

American Novelist and part of the “Beats” who wrote “on the road” in 1957; its about his own travels and experiences.

Who was Betty Friedan and what was The Feminine Mystique (1963)? What problem is identified in this book, and what solution? Why is this significant?

Feminist writer & activist who wrote The Feminine Mystique. She argued that many women were feeling deeply unhappy/discontented w/ being fulltime houswifes/mothers. Problem is assumed all women were middle class & white, it was racist and classicist. Solution is that all women should get a job in a career field that is meaningful/fulfilling, women need to be more like men. Significant because its credited as the start of 2nd wave of feminism.