American Yawp Chapter 26 Flashcards

Questions and Answers

Who is John Kenneth Galbraith?

A social reformer focused on urban development.

An economist who supported sustained economic growth.

A politician who encouraged the wealthy to save more.

An economist who attacked the notion that economic growth would solve social problems. (correct)

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?

Mass production of inexpensive homes Signup and view all the answers

Redlining refers to making loans secured by properties in certain neighborhoods for discriminatory purposes.

True Signup and view all the answers

What was the significance of Brown v. Board of Education?

It declared racially segregated facilities are inherently unequal. Signup and view all the answers

What were Jim Crow laws designed for?

To enforce segregation of blacks from whites Signup and view all the answers

What event led to the Montgomery Bus Boycott?

Rosa Parks was arrested for refusing to give up her seat. Signup and view all the answers

What happened to Emmett Till in 1955?

He was murdered for whistling at a white woman. Signup and view all the answers

What does SCLC stand for?

Southern Christian Leadership Conference Signup and view all the answers

Television became the primary source of information and entertainment in the late 1950s.

True Signup and view all the answers

What was the message conveyed in the TV show 'Leave It to Beaver'?

That women should return to being wives and mothers. Signup and view all the answers

Who is Dr. Spock?

An author of a best-selling parenting guide. Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'Baby Boom' refer to?

A dramatic increase in birth rates post-WWII. Signup and view all the answers

What did 'Rebel Without a Cause' represent?

Changes in conformity and fears of delinquency. Signup and view all the answers

What is meant by the massification of American culture?

The rise of corporations and mass media creating a uniform culture. Signup and view all the answers

Who was Elvis Presley?

A symbol of the rock and roll movement. Signup and view all the answers

What was the Beat Generation?

A group of writers who rejected mainstream values. Signup and view all the answers

What is Keynesian Economics?

A theory advocating increased government spending during economic slumps. Signup and view all the answers

What does Libertarianism champion?

Individual liberty with minimal government. Signup and view all the answers

What do Liberal beliefs emphasize?

Equality and social services provided by the government. Signup and view all the answers

What do Conservatives believe in?

Personal responsibility and limited government. Signup and view all the answers

What was notable about the election of Eisenhower?

He was a popular ex-World War II general. Signup and view all the answers

What does 'Middle of the Road' refer to in Eisenhower's political policy?

Neutrality between political parties. Signup and view all the answers

What was the 'Massive Retaliation' policy?

Threatening nuclear retaliation for any act of aggression. Signup and view all the answers

What did the National Interstate and Defense Highways Act provide?

Funds for construction of 42,500 miles of roads. Signup and view all the answers

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.

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.