(Economic transformation) The new consumer society

Question 1

What did average family income reach in 1953?

What did this look like in suburbs?

Answer 1

$4,011

70% more at $6,500

Question 2

How did the baby boom affect the consumer boom?

Give evidence.

Answer 2

Demand for baby & children’s clothing increased.

By 1957, nappies became a $50 million per year industry.

Question 3

By 1956, how did many Americans spend their extra leisure time?

Answer 3

Watching TV

Question 4

What had created extra leisure time?

Answer 4

Labour saving devices

Question 5

How were consumer goods often paid for?

Answer 5

Using credit

Question 6

By 1951, how many American families had fridges?

How many had washing machines & telephones?

Answer 6

90%

75%

Question 7

By what year did 90% of American families have fridges and 75% have washing machines & telephones?

Answer 7

1951

Question 8

By the early 50s, America consumed ___% of all of the _______ in the world and controlled ___% of the world’s _________ _______.

Answer 8

a) 33%
b) goods
c) 66%
d) productive capacity

Question 9

How did the number of hot dogs consumed each year change?

Answer 9

1950 = 750 million

1960 = 2 billion

Question 10

How did the amount of debt in America change?

Answer 10

1945 = $5.7 billion

1960 = $56.1 billion