Eisenhower
Who did Dwight D. Eisenhower defeat in the 1950 presidential election?
Adlai E. Stevenson, the Democratic candidate.
What major demographic event in the 1950s fueled future economic growth and increased demand for baby products and services?
The "baby boom."
What disease was most feared in the 1950s due to its risk of lifelong paralysis, and who developed the first safe vaccine for it?
Polio; Dr. Jonas Salk developed the first safe polio vaccine in 1955.
What was the term for the mass movement of white families from cities to suburbs as minorities moved into urban areas?
White Flight
What significant role did Eisenhower hold during World War II?
He was the supreme commander of Allied forces.
What new technology became the main source of entertainment and news in U.S. households by the 1950s?
Television (TV)
What was the name of the first major planned suburb in the U.S., and when was it built?
Levittown, built in 1946 near New York City.
What were some challenges faced by the urban poor in inner cities during the postwar era?
Fewer good jobs, discrimination in jobs, housing, and schools, as well as rising crime and violence.
What major infrastructure law did Eisenhower pass in 1956, and what were its effects?
The Federal Highway Act of 1956; it built 40,000 miles of highways, boosted the economy, improved military mobility, and connected remote areas.
How did music contribute to youth culture in the 1950s, and which artist became a major influence?
Rock ’n’ roll helped teens form a shared identity, and Elvis Presley became a major influence starting in 1956.
Why did the United States experience a housing shortage after World War II?
Homebuilding had stopped during the war, and returning GIs got married and needed homes.
What was a major reason many African Americans moved north between 1940 and 1960?
To escape the rural South and seek better opportunities in the North.
What economic impact did Eisenhower's federal spending policies have by the end of his second term?
He left a $300 million budget surplus.
What economic factors allowed more Americans to enjoy a higher standard of living during the 1950s?
More wealth, increased availability of products, widespread advertising, and easy payment plans such as credit cards.
How did technological advances affect the U.S. economy and productivity in the postwar years?
New methods and machines allowed workers in businesses, farms, and factories to produce more goods with the same amount of labor.
Who were the "Beats," and what did they reject in American society?
The "Beats" were writers who rejected materialism, capitalism, and strict social rules. Key figures included Jack Kerouac and Allen Ginsberg.
What were two key principles Eisenhower promoted during his presidency regarding government and the economy?
He advocated for a smaller government and supported free enterprise.
What were some popular trends and products in the 1950s that reflected rising consumer culture?
Popular trends included hula hoops, pizza, Barbie dolls, crew cuts for boys, poodle skirts for girls, and flashy cars with chrome bumpers and tail fins.
Who were the first users of early computers, and how did their use expand over time?
Early computers were first used by the military and government, and later adopted by large corporations.
What criticisms did some Americans have about suburban life and the culture of the 1950s?
They criticized conformity and growing materialism, arguing that it made people ignore deeper issues like poverty.