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Summary Essay Plans: Edexcel A Level History The USA conformity and challenge
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Full essay plans for edexcel a level history the USA conformity and challenge , Topics 1, 2, 3, 4
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Topic 1 – Affluence and Conformity, 1Urbanisation and affluence
🇺🇸 To what extent did the USA experience considerable urbanisation and affluence in
Age of Affluence?
GNP was $503.7 billion by 1960
Wages rose and consumer credit rose from $8.4 billion in 1950 to $45 billion in 19
This was an indicator of personal buying power
There was in increase in the median family income for both whites and non-white
same percentage
White families - 1953 median income was $4392 per year , 1960 median incom
increase of around 33%
Non-white families - 1953 median income was $2461 per year , 1960 median i
in crease of 31%
Changing nature of cities
Population rose from 130 million in 1940 to 165 million in 1955
Many people moving from rural areas to urban areas, 96.5 million (1950) to 12
Many wanted a better standard of living, black Americans wanted to escape r
discrimination in the Old South
12 largest cities Gained 1.8 million non-white residents
1960s, cities became more racially segregated
Watts in LA and South Bronx and Harlem in NY were becoming black Ame
moved out
FHA supported anti-Jewish and anti-black restriction covenants on new subu
This mean that non white residents barred from suburban developments s
privately owned rental accommodation in inner city area which became ru
, 1970 - 18 million Americans lived in the suburbs and 15 million in central areas of t
Growing ownership of cars
1945-60 number of cars increased by 133%
Detroit was the centre of car manufacturing, with General Motors, Ford, Chrysler
1 in 7 Americans worked in an industry related to car manufacture
1 million workers were part of the United Automobile Workers, which was the
the US
1960 - 75% of Americans own a car, 15% of families owned more than one car
1956 - 75 million cars and trucks were on the road
1956 - 3000 new drive in movie theatres
1954 Ray Kroc bought the rights to open a fast food burger bar in LA - McDonalds
Fuelled growing teenage culture with the idea of ‘hot rods’ and ‘grease machines’
American male teenage identity
It helped to expand the tourist industry; national parks were now more accessible
motel was opened
Reflected the culture of consumerism; 1950s 7 million cars were thrown away eve
the latest models
Car manufactures deliberately released new features every year such as radios, a
Highway development
Increase in suburbia meant that greater highway connections were required
Eisenhower’s ‘Greatest achievement’ was the National Interstate and Defence
Eisenhower sets up 10 year programme to build network of 42,500 miles of hi
pay 10% of the cost
White collar and service industries
1956 number of white collar workers outnumbered blue collar workers for the firs
WW2 opened new opportunities for work for women, by 1960 twice as a any wom
40% of women over 16 held a job, female employment increased four times faste
Government increase defence spending due to the Korean War which increase jo
Such as Lockheed, Boeing and McDonnell Douglas
1950s defence spending was $40 billion per year which was 60% of the federal b
By 1957, federal government employed 8 million workers
1950w average suburbia family earnings was 70% higher than the rest of the cou
, Labour saving devices improved quality of life, freeing up time for leisure pursuits
or travelling by car
Overall:
The US did experience considerable urbanisation as millions of white Americans moved o
flight’ , this notable change was take up by the FHA and housing companies that saw the
and develop housing in areas previously uninhabited. The development of the highways h
roads, shopping malls, neon signs and car parks. There was also increased urbanisation
projects in places like Watts in LA and South Bronx and Harlem in NY.
The US did experience considerable affluence, The New Age American had a large amou
on leisure pursuits and new products that were rapidly becoming staples of American life
like the washing machine or fridge-freezer or the car
Cultural conformity and challenge
🗽 To what extent were there changes in culture in the years 1955 to 1963?
Yes, there were changes - US film
Suburban life was not popular topic for film
1957 film No Down Payment , based on suburban life was a box office flop
1955-63 escapist blockbuster films about war and adventure dominated
1957 Around the World in 80 Days was voted the best Hollywood film by the O
1958 Bridge Over the River Kwai was Best Picture and was a war film about Br
POW camp
1963 Lawrence of Arabia was a film about British involvement in the Arab Rev
1961 West Side Story based on Romeo and Juliet but set in NYC about Puerto
this packed movie theatres
Films about everyday America life did draw popular following tended to show you
up in suburbia stifling
1955 Rebel Without a Cause , starred James dean playing a moody youth, wa
showed youths cruising their cars or riding in motorbike gangs wearing leathe
and males greasing back their hair shocked many adults
, Claimed that 5% of males has been sexually active by the age of 15, and a
This fuelled the idea that the current generation of teenagers was very differe
who respected their parents and conformed
1955 - 13 states had passed laws regulating the sale of comic books and cens
inappropriate behaviour, that was said to be the cause of corruption the young
1955 - Time magazine produced a special edition called ‘Teenagers on the Ra
Teen Music
Financially independent teens could buy records or listen to new records on ju
food outlets
1954 - first successful record by black artists was by Big Joe Turner
With temporary jobs and frequently generous allowances from their parents. t
on records:
$182 million in 1954
$521 million in 1960
No, there weren’t changes - US television
Conversely suburban life was a hot topic in TV with many programmes centring o
suburbia
Ownership of TVs grew rapidly in 1950s-60s; sitcoms were a key feature
1953 Father Knows Best centred on life in a new suburb called Springfield and the
a large house
The father was middle class and made no reference to politics, had no strong
never had a bad day at the office
The wife kept her home in perfect order, kept her opinions to herself and was
Game shows were also popular, such as the $64,000 Question
Few opportunities for black American actors and often only appeared in minor sub
or mammies
Sidney Poitier was the first black actor to win Best Actor for his role in Lillies o
Overall:
There were changes as Americans started to look beyond their suburbs, but these chang
younger generation who looked to ways to express themselves, ways that wouldn’t have
generations before. But this was mainly prevalent in the younger generations and in more
and rural communities still had conservative views, and didn’t engage with the more liber
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