The 1950’s~Affluence and Anxiety~- Setting the stageo The Bretton Woods Agreement, July 1944 International monetary fund- Oversight over this whole system- Example: France was forced to fight the war against _____on the cheap. Eisenhower wouldn’t give them more money to fight International bank for reconstruction and development - Part of the world bank Other currencies > US $ > Gold- Eventually, the world’s gold will be redistributed and then all countries will be able to have a gold standard. US uses golf standard in 1970s- The 1950’so Economic stagnation in early 1950’s Entire war there were no consumer goods produced Relatively high unemployment. Soldiers especiallyo Late 1950’s unprecedented economic growtho Reasons for growth Consumer spending in the post-war- Soldiers can spend all earned money so the money can finally get back into the economy Massive government spending programs- Particularly in the realm of defense- 1950’s Societyo Baby boom 1920-1960, US sees a 19% birth rate increaseo Education GI Bill, 1944- Provided funds for higher education, type of job training, help on mortgages, and a period of unemployment insurance. - Several million vets take advantage of GI Bill, mainly higher educationo Suburbs William Levitt- Father of suburban America Levittown- Assembly style and same floor plan.- Originally in New York.- Affordable By 1951, 17,000 new homes built Dependence on the car- Rise in drive-in theaters- Commuting lifestyle is developing- More of Eisenhowero Truman: Fair Deal (21 points) Through executive action, he accomplished much for the veteranso Eisenhower Never held an elected office position before Last general elected Presidento Federal highway act of 1956 Establishes the Eisenhower interstate system. Any of the roads that have I in front of them were a part of this billo Heavy military funding Mutually Assured Destruction (MAD)- Build up as many atomic weapons and nuclear technology as we can- If we can demolish the Soviets and they can demolish us, no one will use them- Beginning of the civil rights movemento Brown vs. Topeka Board of Education, 1954 Daughter had to walk 8mi instead of 6mi to go to school at a black school. With the help of the NAACP, they filed a claim; Supreme Court viewed it as unconstitutional. Nothing really changedo Montgomery Bus Boycott, 1955 Rosa Parkso Integration of Little Rock High School, 1957 9 back students wanted to enroll in this white high school. Governor ends up barring them from the school, using the statepolice and National Guard. In response to the little rock high school issue, Eisenhower federalizes the National Guard and has them “train” about 60miaway. He also calls on paratroopers to help desegregate the high school. They stand up at the school year round to defend the studentso Jim Crow was alive, well into the 60’s Literacy tests, etc.o Eisenhower Not a huge fan of civil rights movement but did not tolerate state funds to discriminate against
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