Questions and Answers
Who is John Kenneth Galbraith?
What does FHA stand for?
Federal Housing Administration
What types of consumer products increased after WWII?
Cars, refrigerators, washing machines, and televisions
What is Levittown known for?
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Redlining refers to making loans secured by properties in certain neighborhoods for discriminatory purposes.
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What was the significance of Brown v. Board of Education?
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What were Jim Crow laws designed for?
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What event led to the Montgomery Bus Boycott?
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What happened to Emmett Till in 1955?
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What does SCLC stand for?
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Television became the primary source of information and entertainment in the late 1950s.
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What was the message conveyed in the TV show 'Leave It to Beaver'?
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Who is Dr. Spock?
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What does the term 'Baby Boom' refer to?
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What did 'Rebel Without a Cause' represent?
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What is meant by the massification of American culture?
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Who was Elvis Presley?
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What was the Beat Generation?
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What is Keynesian Economics?
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What does Libertarianism champion?
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What do Liberal beliefs emphasize?
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What do Conservatives believe in?
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What was notable about the election of Eisenhower?
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What does 'Middle of the Road' refer to in Eisenhower's political policy?
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What was the 'Massive Retaliation' policy?
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What did the National Interstate and Defense Highways Act provide?
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Study Notes
Economic Perspectives
- John Kenneth Galbraith criticized the belief that economic growth alone could resolve social issues, advocating for wealthier individuals to invest more in societal welfare.
- Keynesian economics, formulated by John Maynard Keynes, promotes increased government spending during economic downturns and reduced spending in times of growth.
Housing and Urban Development
- The Federal Housing Administration (FHA) was founded in 1943, aiming to boost home ownership by providing insurance for lenders against default risks, facilitating easier access to loans for consumers.
- Levittown exemplified post-WWII suburbia, utilizing mass production techniques to construct affordable homes and address housing shortages.
Consumer Culture Post-WWII
- Postwar America saw a surge in consumer goods, including household appliances, automobiles, and televisions, coupled with an increase in advertisement targeting consumerism.
- The television emerged as a dominant source of information and entertainment by the late 1950s, skyrocketing from 17,000 units in 1946 to 40 million by 1957.
Civil Rights and Social Movements
- Brown v. Board of Education (1954) nullified Plessy v. Ferguson, declaring that racial segregation in public schools was unconstitutional, leading to desegregation.
- The Montgomery Bus Boycott initiated in 1955 after Rosa Parks' arrest resulted in a Supreme Court ruling that outlawed public transportation segregation.
Segregation and Discrimination
- Jim Crow laws enforced racial segregation throughout the Southern United States, leading to systemic discrimination.
- Redlining practices denied mortgage loans in certain neighborhoods based on racial demographics, contributing to urban segregation and decay.
Cultural Influences and the Youth
- The Baby Boom refers to the rapid increase in birth rates post-World War II, with around 78.3 million Americans born during this time.
- Elvis Presley emerged as a cultural icon of the 1950s rock-and-roll movement, signaling a new youth culture and challenging conservative societal norms.
Literature and Lifestyle
- The Beat Generation, consisting of writers like Ginsberg and Kerouac, rejected mainstream values and explored alternative lifestyles, including drug use and Eastern spirituality.
- Dr. Spock’s parenting guide emphasized child individuality and flexibility, influencing postwar child-rearing practices.
Political Landscape
- Eisenhower's election as a Republican was marked by his popularity, leading to two successful terms and the "Middle of the Road" policy, which aimed for bipartisanship.
- Conservatives focused on personal responsibility, free markets, and preserving traditional values, while liberals advocated for government intervention to promote equality and civil liberties.
National Defense and Infrastructure
- Massive Retaliation was Eisenhower's defense strategy for the 1950s, threatening nuclear retaliation against any aggression from adversaries.
- The National Interstate and Defense Highways Act of 1956 allocated funds for the construction of 42,500 miles of highways across the United States, enhancing national infrastructure.
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Description
Test your knowledge on key concepts from Chapter 26 of American Yawp. This quiz features important terms and definitions including John Kenneth Galbraith's economic theories and the role of the Federal Housing Administration in homeownership.