Affluent Society 1950's, Truman's Fair Deal and Eisenhower Flashcards
Growth of suburbia
Baby boom - Between 1945 and 1960 the population increased by 40 million which increased demand for new homes.
Affordable housing - the building of reasonably priced homes became a priority and land was cheaper on the edges of cities.
Increasing car ownership - no longer had to live close to place of work most families had at least one car.
Living the American dream - Own their own home and bring up children away from pressures of city life.
Increasing affluence - Economic growth led to people having more money to spend so new homes affordable and people could afford new appliances e.g. TVs and record players.
The Affluent Society
By 1960, the standard of living of the average American was three times that of the average Briton.
By 1960, 25% of Americans lived in suburbia.
TV sets, record players, swimming pools and at least one car became status symbols, the ‘must have’ items.
The ‘Other’ America
By 1959, 29% of the population (50 million) lived below the poverty line.
Included among the poor were the ‘hillbillies’ of the Appalachian mountains; Hispanic workers in the West; black people in the city ghettos in the North.
Poor Americans found it hard to afford the rising cost of healthcare (there was no NHS)
Growth of suburbia - Baby boom
Between 1945 and 1960 the population increased by 40 million which increased demand for new homes.
Growth of suburbia - Affordable housing
The building of reasonably priced homes became a priority and land was cheaper on the edges of cities.
Growth of suburbia - Increasing car ownership
No longer had to live close to place of work most families had at least one car.
Growth of suburbia - Living the American dream
Own their own home and bring up children away from pressures of city life.
Growth of suburbia - Increasing affluence
Economic growth led to people having more money to spend so new homes affordable and people could afford new appliances e.g. TVs and record players.
