Postwar Economy
This region of the United States experienced major population growth after WWII.
Sunbelt
Cars helped fast-food restaurants grow because Americans were increasingly looking for this quality in their everyday lives
convenience/speed
This singer from Memphis became known as the “King of Rock and Roll.”
Elvis Presley
What major economic idea encouraged Americans to constantly purchase new products
Consumerism
This conflict between the United States and Soviet Union shaped American culture and society throughout the 1950s.
Cold War
This group grew significantly during the economic boom of the 1950s
Middle Class
Cars helped suburban growth because families could now use them to do this between their homes and jobs in cities.
Commuting
This actor became a symbol of rebellious teenagers after starring in Rebel Without a Cause
James Dean
This allowed people to buy something now and pay for it later
credit
This spinning toy became a major fad in the late 1950s.
Hula Hoop
This generation was born in large numbers after WWII as birth rates increased dramatically.
Baby Boom
This type of community grew rapidly outside American cities during the 1950s.
Suburbs
This television show starred Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz and became one of the most popular shows of the 1950s.
I Love Lucy
Companies used television to convince Americans to purchase products through these
TV advertisements/commercials
This government program encouraged students to practice what to do in case of a nuclear attack.
Duck and Cover
This law helped millions of returning WWII veterans pay for college, buy homes, and start businesses.
GI Bill
This president signed the 1956 law that created the Interstate Highway System
Dwight D. Eisenhower
This musician helped establish rock and roll with songs such as “Johnny B. Goode.”
Chuck Berry
Ray Kroc helped McDonald’s expand across America using this business model, allowing individual owners to operate restaurants using the company's name and system.
Franchising
The traditional 1950s ideal often portrayed men as the family breadwinner and women primarily in this role.
homemaker/housewife
A major reason for the Baby Boom was that many couples waited until after this event to start families.
WWII
This 1956 law created a massive network of highways across the United States.
Interstate and Defense Highway Systems Act
This new style of music became extremely popular with teenagers during the 1950s.
Rock & Roll
This man helped transform McDonald's into a nationwide business
Ray Kroc
This group became an important new market for music, clothing, movies, and other products during the 1950s.
Teenagers