The United States experienced economic prosperity in the 1950's, a decade in which other countries
were still struggling towards recovering from the devastating effects of the Second World War.
Artist rendering generalizing a common American family from the 1950's.
were still struggling towards recovering from the devastating effects of the Second World War.
The 1950's in the U.S. was a time of economic abundance, giving the U.S. an advantage over European countries. American Economy grew a total of 37% in the 1950's and unemployment never reached higher than 4.5%. Another factor of the U.S in the 1950's was the rise on consumerism, because the war had pulled the U.S. out of depression, many jobs became available and American families had gained a greater power for spending newly acquired money. The U.S. had just emerged victorious from the second world war making the general vibe in America a very happy and excited one.
Drawing portraying an emigration scene.
The promise of money and happiness brought many Europeans over to the U.S to escape the economic struggles they were facing at home in Europe. America did not join WWII until later, therefore causing less damage to the country. The war was not fought on United States soil therefore there was no destruction to American land. Anna commented on the 1950's saying, "The 50's economy was roaring. It was after the war, the boys were back home, the money was good. Veterans from the war were being payed to go to school, the GI Bill was in effect. That's the generation that put a man on the moon." Everything was going very well in the U.S, especially compared to how things were going in Europe causing many push factors from Europe and many pull factors to the U.S. The war left many Europeans and Soviets homeless, with American being their best chance to create a new life for themselves. The U.S. economy in the 1950's could be greatly compared to the U.S. economy in the 1920's after WWI. The ride of consumerism was huge in both these eras, both these eras created a positive vibe which lured people into American culture.
The U.S was not only a fun, safer place to live for most, but it economic prosperity promised immigrants/citizens the ability to strive and create more money and better standards of living for themselves.
The U.S was not only a fun, safer place to live for most, but it economic prosperity promised immigrants/citizens the ability to strive and create more money and better standards of living for themselves.