life was more important than ever because children had to be properly raised in order to lead America in the future. The very notion of the family became linked to a means of fighting communism. The American family with its suburban home, consumerism, and prosperity supposedly offered a stark contrast to the inferior Communist system. The nuclear family calmed fears regarding the Cold War while simultaneously fought against Communism and the Russian threat. The economy was booming during the fifties, and continued to do so for almost twenty years. Between 1945 and 1960, the gross national product grew by 250 percent, from $2 billion to over $5 billion. Government and military spending and technological advancements contributed to this growth. As a result of the baby boom consumer demand increased and the population was growing rapidly. These economic successes helped paved the way for a reunification of the labor movement. This helped get workers more pay and better benefits.The fifties were the Happy Days. It was the time when technology, economy, and Americans lives improved and advanced. The number of families with nice homes and cars became higher. Televisions were in every home, which supplied everyone with not only entertainment, but important news. Presidential campaigns were televised which educated the people on the candidates. Fast-food chains and drive-ins were introduced. This was influenced by an increase in automobiles and highways. I spoke with my grandfather, who also agreed that the fifties were a happy time. My grandfather said, With such a long period of war and depression, the fifties were like a new and refreshing start. He said that he finally felt okay with settling down and starting a family in this time. He Of course not all families were as perfect as the Cunninghams and not everyone had a friend like Arthur Fonzerelli, but the fifties were a time where family was the most important thing and changes took pl...
