Building the American DreamThe 1950s

I. Middle of the Road Government

1. Balance the Federal Budget a. Lay-off 200,000 government workers2. Recession a. Slow down in economy -increase government spending

II. End of McCarthyism

1. Senator McCarthy: (R) Wisconsin a. Accused over 200 people of Communist affiliation b. All charges were false c. McCarthy removed d. Republican party weakened

III. III. Beginning of the Space AgeBeginning of the Space Age

1. Russian Satellite Sputnik (1957)1. Russian Satellite Sputnik (1957)

a. American fear and jealousya. American fear and jealousy

-National Defense Education Act (1958)-National Defense Education Act (1958)

-$20 million to improve schools-$20 million to improve schools

-focus on Science and Mathematics-focus on Science and Mathematics

IV. IV. Changes in TransportationChanges in Transportation

1. Federal Highway Act1. Federal Highway Act a. 42,000 Miles of interstatesa. 42,000 Miles of interstates -increase trucking industry-increase trucking industry -increase population of suburbs-increase population of suburbs -”Drive into work”-”Drive into work”

V. V. Changes in WorkChanges in Work1. Increased Union Support for Workers1. Increased Union Support for Workers2. Increased machine labor2. Increased machine labor a. Decrease “Blue-Collar” a. Decrease “Blue-Collar” b. Increase “White Collar”b. Increase “White Collar”3. Increase in service industries3. Increase in service industries a. Insurance a. Insurance b. Restaurantsb. Restaurants c. Hotelsc. Hotels

VI. VI. Changing Roles of WomenChanging Roles of Women

1. Took jobs of men during WWII1. Took jobs of men during WWII

a. Proven effective workersa. Proven effective workers

b. Discriminated againstb. Discriminated against

-paid less than men-paid less than men

-denied benefits-denied benefits

VII. VII. Affluent SocietyAffluent Society1. Good Economy=Financial stability1. Good Economy=Financial stability

a. “Start a family”a. “Start a family”

-”Baby boom”-”Baby boom”

b. Rise of suburbsb. Rise of suburbs

-Levit-towns-Levit-towns