postwar american society, 1945-1960

Administrative Announcements

  • Return of Blue Books: Expect to return Blue Books next Tuesday.

  • Upcoming Quiz: Quiz scheduled for next Thursday, April 9.

    • Format: Multiple choice

    • Coverage: Material from today's class, next Tuesday's class, and Chapter 13 of "Constructing the American Class".

Politics and Economy

Consensus Politics Post-1945

  • Characteristics: Dominated by a consensus that included preserving the New Deal ideologies.

    • Concept: Upholding the welfare state and federal assistance programs initiated during the New Deal (1930s).

    • Components of the Welfare State:

    • Federal assistance to the poor.

    • Establishment of the social security system providing pensions for the elderly.

    • Impact: Prevention of societal destitution through a social safety net.

  • Political Leadership:

    1. Harry Truman (1945-1953)

    • Democratic

    • Political Significance: Inherits New Deal legacy as Roosevelt's VP.

    • Presidential Actions: Sought to expand welfare programs through initiatives such as:

      • Higher Minimum Wage: Raised to 75¢ per hour.

      • GI Bill: Providing veterans the opportunity for university education.

      • Fair Deal: Truman’s agenda to enhance the welfare state, including a proposed national health insurance system that faced congressional opposition.

    1. Dwight Eisenhower (1953-1961)

    • Background: Republican, notable military leader during WWII, and popular candidate.

    • Political Approach: Supported limited government but maintained and even expanded welfare state features.

      • Modern Republicanism: Eisenhower’s term for his political philosophy, contrasting with traditional Republicanism of the 1920s.

      • Policy Examples: Supported tax cuts for corporations and increased minimum wage.

  • Reason for Political Consensus:

    • Stability created by welfare policies fostering economic growth.

    • Popularity among voters ensuring continuity of welfare state features.

Economic Context of Postwar America

  • Affluence:

    • Postwar period characterized as the "affluent society (the wealthy society)," contrasting sharply with the Great Depression.

    • Statistical Growth: Average family income increased from $2,400 in 1945 to $5,600 in 1960 (approximately a 133% increase).

    • Middle-Class Growth: Rise of middle class bolstered by corporate benefits including sick pay, paid vacations, and health care.

  • Economic Drivers:

    • High military spending due to the Cold War and the Korean War stimulating economic activity.

    • Consumer Spending: Post-war spending spree as rationing and shortages ended allowed pent-up savings from wartime bonds to be spent.

    • Impact of Consumer Goods: Rise in ownership of consumer goods (e.g., washing machines, televisions, automobiles) showcasing material prosperity.

    • Credit Card Introduction: The first credit card (Diners Club) emerged in 1950, symbolizing a consumer-oriented society.

Conclusion on Politics and Economy

  • Consensus politics and economic prosperity combined to create favorable sociopolitical conditions in postwar America.

Society and Culture in Postwar America

Suburbanization

  • Pre-War Housing Market: Limited to upscale homes and urban apartments; low homeownership rates (around 40%).

  • Post-War Changes: Rise in affordable suburban homes targeting middle-class families:

    • Bill Levitt: Key figure in suburban development, known as the "King of Suburbia."

      • Construction Model: Emphasized mass production utilizing precut materials, leading to affordable homes (e.g., Cape Cod model sold for $7,500 in 1947).

      • Labor Costs: Required less skilled labor, enabling reduced construction costs and quicker home building.

  • Popular Demand: Levitt sold 1,400 homes in one day upon opening a subdivision in 1949, revealing significant public enthusiasm for suburban living.

  • Critiques of Suburbanization:

    • John Keats's Perspective: Criticizes conformity, lack of individuality, and aesthetic uniformity in suburban homes.

    • Social Implications:Reflects broader cultural concerns of loss of individuality and diversity.

    • Racial Exclusion: Levitt's homes explicitly excluded non-white buyers, highlighting racial issues in postwar America.

Gender and Family Dynamics

  • Post-War Gender Norms: Shift back to traditional roles of men as breadwinners and women as homemakers.

  • Cultural Pressure: Promote domesticity for women, emphasizing marriage and motherhood as vital for happiness.

    • Mary Louise Farnam and Frederick Lundberg's Work: Campaigned for traditional gender roles, suggesting career pursuits were detrimental to women's well-being.

  • Marriage Trends: Increase in early marriages and childbirth, contributing to the baby boom generation.

    • Graph of Birth Trends: Notable rise in births from the late 1940s peaking around 1960.

Youth Culture

  • Characterization: A sense of restlessness and dissatisfaction among the younger generations; emergence of distinct youth culture.

  • Cultural Icons:

    • Films: James Dean and Marlon Brando depicted discontent with societal norms (e.g., "Rebel Without a Cause," "The Wild One").

    • Music: Introduction of rock and roll as a rebellious form of expression with artists like Elvis Presley capturing youth attention and breaking societal norms.

    • Cross-Cultural Influences: White teenagers began to listen to black musicians, breaking racial boundaries in music enjoyment.

  • Caution Against Overemphasis: While youth culture hinted at rebellion, it did not parallel the more aggressive upheavals of the 1960s.

Final Insights

  • The postwar American landscape was shaped by consensus politics, economic prosperity, suburban developments, evolving gender roles, and the flutter of youth culture.

  • Each of these facets contributed significantly to the frameworks of societal norms, political discourse, and cultural identity during this transformative period in US history.