The Nifty Fifties

History M25 - Krister Swanson - Moorpark College

Eisenhower and the Politics of the "Middle Way"

• Modern Republicanism: step away from anti-comm & New Deal, but more moderate than conservatives want

• Settle claims with Native Americans, terminate support role & Relocate

• 1956 Election: Ike wins (popularity) but Dems dominate congress

• Second term more challenging

Liberation Rhetoric & Practice of Containment

• Defense strategy built around cheaper nukes & small standing army

• CIA used to intervene in Guatemala & Iran

• Nuclear Arms Race grows vs. the soviets, fuels space race (H-Bomb, Missile production, etc.)

New Work and Living Patterns

• Economy of Abundance: many benefit from post war economic boom

• Technology transforms agricultural and Industrial production

• Burgeoning suburbs and declining cities – white flight, commuting by car, malls

• Rise of the Sun Belt – new industries drive new development

• The democratization of higher education – GI Bill & growth of public universities

The Culture of Abundance

• Consumer Culture: appliances, 2 cars, furniture, more toys, etc.

• Rising wages push revival of domesticity

• TV redefines new mass culture, changes Politics

• Countercurrents (Beatniks, Kinsey, "Organization Man", Betty Freidan)

Emergence of a Civil Rights Movement

• World War II is a catalyst

• Jackie Robinson

• Emmett Till

• Brown vs. the Board

• Montgomery Bus Boycott, MLK Jr. & the SCLC - Mass Protest is born