Housing And Urbanization During The 1950's

An important source of economic development in the 1950s was public works that the government provided. For example, the government paid 90 percent of building the Interstate Highway System. These programs opened up the suburbs to numbers of middle- class Americans, and created secure well-paying jobs for blue collar workers. The government also made it possible for banks to loan money for people to buy homes. They encouraged long term asset development and rewarded people for increasing their investment in homes and education. If a person was a veteran, they would have a very low down payment which would provide for an opportunity to realize their own dream of owning a home for their family. By implementing all of these social programs, the

The way Americans lived their lives was drastically changed between the years of 1920 and 1940. Many different events and advances in technology happened within the country during this time period. Events such as the stock market crash in 1929, the dust bowl of the 1930’s, and, due to an increase in urbanization, the uprising of major cities. Also advances in technology transpired, such as the invention of the radio and Henry Ford’s assembly line. These events and advances are all illustrated in great detail in the novel, Daily Life in the United States, 1920-1940 by David E. Kyvig. His thesis explains that during the two decades, the American life style was changed in such a

World War II had just ended. Women that were working because their husbands were out fighting in the war came back home when the war ended. The 1940’s ended and it was time for a new decade. The 1950’s were looked as a state of mind or a way of living instead of another time in American history. The 1950’s were the most influential decade in American history because the civil rights act began, fashion was completely new and trendy there were more much advancement in entertainment and medicine, and suburban life was much more functional than any other decade in America.

During the 1950’ many public and social booms happened. For instance the Baby Boom was huge in the 1950’s. In 1957 it was estimated that 1 baby was born every 7 seconds. (Silverman 1) Also suburban living was expanding and becoming very common. Starting in

The United States has changed immensely since 1950. Americans were worried and anxious about a post-WWII depression that never occurred. 1946 was the year that saw the most marriages. Families started to grow, the economy boomed, people began to own cars and televisions, and much more.

The 1920s were a time of advancement and prosperity in America. The end of the first world war caused America’s economy to boom resulting in a large increase in industrial output and credit. In addition to this, the invention of the assembly line made the automobile much easier to produce making it possible for most middle class families in the United States to be able to afford one which changed the concept of transportation. Modern advertising caused Americans to desire stuff that they didn’t necessarily need. Working conditions at this time were still poor but there were major improvements from the way it was at the beginning of the century. Due to welfare capitalism workers were much less inclined to strike which also helped the booming

The 1950s was a huge time of change in the world. After World War ll, a record breaking 4 million babies were born each year, this time period became known as the Baby Boom. This rise in population was well needed, there was tons of factories made during the war that needed employees. The 1950s not only changed population, but it changed

Not only was there a huge economic boom taking place within the 1950’s, due to society being dominated by consumerism, but jobs were becoming very diverse.

However; despite the worsening conditions of the cities Americans had more money than ever which they spent back into the economy making it grow even more. The 1960s was also a time of social transition. With the introduction of the

The economic boom of the 1920’s enhanced the everyday life of Americans. Mass production of goods made prior tasks, such as washing clothes, simple and allotted woman to have leisure time. The assembly line utilized by Henry Ford made the production of automobiles cost less lowering the price for consumers. The amount of cars sold from 1921-29 went up from 1.5 million to 4.5 million. (Document 9) With more leisure time because of useful inventions people sought activities to occupy their free time. Radios grew increasingly popular and steadily increased to be in 10 million households in 1929. (Document 9) The economic power held by the U.S permitted technological advances to be attainable, which unconstrained the daily lives of many Americans.

World War I, The Great Depression, and World War II brought instability to the United States. As World War II came to an end in 1945 people were looking for stability, which is what the 1950’s resulted in. The 1950’s was a decade of conformity in all aspects of life; politics, economy, and culture.

America, in the late 1940s and 1950s had encountered a heap of economic misfortune which resonated within the culture. However, because of a few key events, the United Sates experienced a monumental economic and cultural shift, resulting in the revitalization of its economy. This essay exposits WWII's key role in supplementing this change as well as its effects on migration and living conditions. Furthermore, this essay intends to highlight a major reality which threatens the legacy of this era and major threat which jeopardized its newfound prosperity, while briefly comparing it to the postwar period of the 1920s.

The period immediately following WWII began a time of prosperity and abundance never experienced before. The GDP rose 250 percent from 1945 to 1960, and per capita income increased by thirty-five percent (Coontz, The Way We Never Were 24). By 1955, sixty percent of the population was considered middle class, with household purchasing skyrocketing (Coontz, The Way We Never Were 24). For the first time Americans found themselves with access to a myriad of goods and services above and beyond necessity and the financial means with which to avail themselves of them.

I have to disagree with your statement that during the 1950s the demand for new housing during the 1950s had a greater impact on the economy created more of a multiplier effect than the changes made to the social security system. I believe that they were both equally impactful. According to the historical records kept by the Social Security Administration themselves, it was during the 1950s that "benefit amounts were increased substantially." This component of additional income is something that should not be overlooked since it acts like one of the "series of induced increases in consumption spending" since now there is more disposable income for those who could not work due to their disability. The Social Security Act of 1935 is the autonomous

By the end of World War II, many people were afraid that the economy would fall back into a depressive state like the 1930’s. On the contrary, the period between 1945-1973 was one of fast economic growth, leading it to be called the “Golden Age” of capitalism. The United States, as well as many other countries, was experiencing this rapid growth that lead to a worldwide boom. There were many elements that played a role in sustaining this boom. The first was the vast demand for goods that was created by people having higher wages and desired to buy more things with the money they had. The second was the fact that because of the war new technologies and products emerged. For example the use of the airplane as use for mass travel sustained the boom, by the creation of a whole new tourism industry. Along with these forces behind the Golden Age boom was the enlarged role of the government. The government played a central role in directing the postwar economy. One of the most important efforts was the planning and construction of a national highway system. This boosted interstate commerce and transformed America into the “car culture” it is today. New Deal policies along with an overall much