Topic 10 Study Guide

McCarthyism impact on society:

• Joseph McCarthy accused thousands of Americans of being Communists 
• Hollywood writers, directors, and producers were arrested. Under the accusation that there were "communist ideas/propaganda" in their films.

Communist "witch hunt" and impact on those accused:

• Privacy of individuals was violated.
• Many people were charged under being communists.

Space Race impact on government policies:

• The Soviet Union launched Sputnik
• USA feels threatened, decides to pour $ into education.
• Cold War spurred from this.
• Space explorations expanded, and in 1969 USA put man on the moon.

Cold War mindset for the US government and public:

• USA is afraid of communism.
• We had to beat the Soviet Union in technology/space exploration.

Relationship of suburbs, automobiles, and roads:

• The Suburbs were outside the cities.
• Therefore, cars were required to travel to jobs in the city.
• The 1956 Highway Act was put into action, and millions of dollars went into building new and easier roads to travel on.

Baby Boom:

• Men were coming home from war, the depression was over.
• Could afford to have more children
• The new norm became stay at home mothers, working fathers, 2 children and more than one car

• Urban-Suburban pattern:
• Inner City : low income families
• Suburbs : middle income families
• Moving out of the Suburbs : high income families (more land etc)

GI Bill:

• Supported veterans, provided them with education.
• Gave loans and 1 yr. compensation

Expansion of the middle class (why things were affordable):

• CREDIT CARDS!(more spending)
• Men were working.
• Development of the suburbs, track homes that were cheap.