1950's Culture

Dramatic increase in birth rate, especially in the years following WWII. This was due to so many people working and making a better living.

• Baby Boom ­

• Baby Gap

• GI Bill

• Transistor

Suburbs were created after WWII in the United States to provide housing. Where can you find suburbs?

• Inside cities

• In rural areas

• On the outskirts of cities before you reach rural areas.

• All of the above are correct

Why did suburbs become necessary?

• Not enough room in cities.

• Too far away to live in rural areas.

• The desire to start families and the baby boom.

• The government wanted to move people to them.

Trends of the 1950's (middle class, highway system, suburbs) were a result of economic prosperity following ______.

• WWII

• GI Bill

• Cold War

• suburbs

How did the G.I. Bill help soldiers?

• Offered Low Interest Loans and College Scholarships

• Gave free medical care to returning veterans

• Encouraged returning vets to rejoin the military

• Offered veterans bonus pay

What does 'conformity' mean?

• behaving like others to avoid rejection

• acting cool and aloof to gain popularity

• thinking and speaking like an academic

• pretending to be something you are not

Which of these business icons got their start in the 1950's?

• Ford Mustang & A Charlie Brown Christmas

• Domino's Pizza & Sprite

• McDonald's & Disneyland

• Captain Crunch & Wal-Mart

There were fears after WWII that the U.S., and the rest of the world, would fall back into Depression. Why did this fear not become reality?

• Companies quickly shifted from war time to peace time production.

• Wages for workers jumped dramatically across the country.

• Women remained in the work force and therefore more money was available to buy goods.

• Following WWII there was an economic explosion. People bought all sort of things because they had saved money during the war.

Why did the Baby Boom take place?

• Soldiers returning from WWII wanted families.

• The economy was booming.

• The Great Depression was over.

• All of the options are reasons for the baby boom.

What role did women take during WWII? (review question)

• house wives that took care of the house and children

• drove tanks and fought in the war

• created black out curtains for everyone

• filled many traditionally male jobs