American Affluence and the Great Society

A set of flashcards to help review key concepts, figures, and policies related to American affluence and the Great Society.

Who was the U.S. President during 1953-1961 known as the first president of the television age?

Dwight D. Eisenhower

What economic policies did John F. Kennedy promote during his presidency?

Low taxes to promote growth and a massive increase in social program spending.

What was Lyndon Johnson's most lasting domestic initiative?

The Great Society welfare program.

What significant event occurred during Richard Nixon's presidency?

He resigned in 1974 in disgrace.

What was the Gross National Product (GNP) of the U.S. in 1960?

$500 billion.

What was the average unemployment rate from 1945 to the early 1960s?

Approximately 5%.

What percentage did inflation average per year from 1945 to 1960?

About 3%.

What was the population growth in the U.S. from 1950 to 1960?

From 150 million to 180 million.

What was one major cause of the economic boom in the late 1940s and 1950s?

Increased government spending, technological improvements, and the Baby Boom.

What was the effect of the 1956 Interstate Highway Act?

Government spending of $100 billion on the national highway system over the next two decades.

What was a key characteristic of suburban growth in the 1950s?

The suburban population grew by 47%, with one-third of Americans living in suburbs by 1960.

What was a notable feature of consumer culture in the 1950s?

Consumer credit increased by 800% from 1945 to 1957.

What did the Economic Opportunity Act of 1964 establish?

The Office of Economic Opportunity, which coordinated vocational training programs and funded Neighbourhood Youth Corps.

What healthcare program did Lyndon Johnson initiate in 1965?

Medicare, which provided subsidized health insurance for elderly Americans.

How did the costs of the Great Society programs change between 1961 and 1970?

The federal government spent $94.4 billion in 1961 and $197 billion in 1970.

What significant outcome did the Great Society have on poverty rates from 1959 to 1969?

Official poverty rates declined from 21% in 1959 to 13% in 1969.