|  The 1950's were truly an era of readjustment for Postwar America. The GI Bill provided tuition, unemployment benefits and loans to returning war Veterans. The housing crisis of course was caused by a shortage of homes, which led right into the creation of suburbs. Women became more dependent, as the divorce rate increased, yet family values and morals were highly accepted and were frequently taught.
During the 1952 Presidential election, Rep. Eisenhower wins with Richard Nixon. Eisenhower, of course, being the American general and ultimately hero during World War II for his role in the European theater. Eisenhower wins again in 1956.
American was also in a state of non-physical conflict with the Soviet Union in the Cold War. Brinkmanship was the U.S.'s willingness to go to war, and it reflected a highly anti-communist attitude within the United States. Family values, social norms, gender roles, and even spending; social values of the 1950's reflected anti-communism. Bomb shelters were built to protect American families in the event of nuclear war. These family fallout shelters were romanticized and usually carried supplies to last anywhere from a few weeks to a couple of months.
The economy boomed because Americans were financially healthy; Americans saved an average of $140 million during World War II, while Federal policies and government investments helped the economy thrive. In terms of business, many white collar professional jobs sprung up, including sales, advertising, and management. Franchises, such as McDonald's, also arrived. Not to mention the social conformity that required teamwork, cooperation, and loyalty.
Of course, 85% of houses in the 1950's were located in the suburbs because they were affordable single family homes, which were considered healthy and safe, in addition to being situated near good schools. Suburbs were created so quickly because of the mass production of houses. Suburban living included BBQ's, cocktail parties, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Little League, bowling alleys, and were free from racial conflicts of the cities.
The Baby Boom was the population explosion after World War II up into the 1960's. In 1957, 1 infant was born every 7 seconds in the United States. It became the largest generation in the nation's history.
Automobile culture was due to new highway systems, drive-in movies, drive-in restaurants, Disneyland, and especially the style and status symbol of having a vehicle in the 1950's.
Music of the 1950's saw the outbreak of new artists and genres. One of the more popular singers of the time being Elvis Presley, whose dance moves and song lyrics were considered inappropriate by some people. Rock 'n' roll played a major role in becoming the musical outlet for rebellious teenagers. Country was also another type of music that had a hit during the 50's.
Consumerism brought material goods to success. Electronic appliances and recreational items such as BBQ grills and pools were being produced. Planned obsolescence was also used by companies to force consumers to buy newer items. Advertisements in newspapers, magazines, on the radio, and on television also flourished.
Fathers went to work, while the mothers stayed at home to care for the children and home. In terms of education, boys learned woodworking and auto mechanics, while girls took courses to follow in their mothers' footsteps. Poodle skirts, saddle shoes, and bobby socks were the fashion trend of the time period.
There were negative aspects of the 1950's though, such as the Invisible Poor -- the postwar prosperity masked the poverty in American society. "White Flight" occurred when white families left the cities for suburbs, which caused business and tax revenue loss. African Americans faced racial prejudice, urban ghettos, lowest paying jobs and unfortunately, segregation.
Hispanics faced hardships as well. Mexican Americans and Mexican immigrants became migrant farm workers, working under poor conditions and low wages. The Bracero Program was established during World War II as a program to increase crop production. Mexicans were expected to return to Mexico after the war.
Native Americans were displaced. They were the smallest, poorest, and most widely ignored racial minority group. The Termination Policy occurred from 1953-1963. Native Americans were relocated to cities, where they found few to no jobs. Having little to no training, many Native Americans faced poverty, in addition to discrimination.
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