Key Concept 8.3.

I (Period 8:
1945 - 1980)
Credit to: Adam Norris

SWBAT analyze
content from
APUSH curriculum Key concept 8.3.I
(1945-1980)
Rapid economic
and social changes
in American society
fostered a sense of
optimism in the
postwar years, as
well as underlying
concerns about
how these changes
were affecting
American values.
EQ: How did
economic and social
changes impact
American values in
the Post WWII period?
Given an exit card,
100% of SWBAT
- Answer a peerevaluated (with
rubric) APUSH short
answer question

Quick Write AP Short

Answer Practice
Be peaceful, be courteous, obey the law, respect
everyone; but if someone puts his hand on you, send
him to the cemetery. Malcolm X, 1965
I refuse to accept the view that mankind is so
tragically bound to the starless midnight of racism and
war that the bright daybreak of peace and brotherhood
can never become a reality... I believe that unarmed
truth and unconditional love will have the final word.
Martin Luther King, Jr.
1. Using the excerpts above, answer both (a) and (b).
A) Briefly explain ONE implication (consequence) for the American
Civil Rights Movement.
B) Identify ONE specific example of an achievement in the Civil
Rights Movement that came about because of the
philosophies/beliefs listed above.

Quick Write AP Short

Answer Practice - EXEMPLAR

SWBAT analyze
content from
APUSH curriculum Key concept 8.3.I
(1945-1980)
1. Using the excerpts above, answer both (a) and (b).
Rapid economic
and social changes
in American society
fostered a sense of
optimism in the
postwar years, as
well as underlying
concerns about
how these changes
were affecting
American values.

A) Briefly explain ONE implication (consequence) for the American Civil Rights
Movement.
The implication as seen with these sources is that the Civil Rights Movement
in the 1950s/60s was multi-tiered: it consisted of both moderate and radical
philosophies, and did not settle on one set foundation of principles.
Representing a more radical approach, Malcolm X, as seen with his
graveyard comment, was not willing to espouse the non-violent peaceful
protest approach because often times this method was met with severe
backlash. As a result, the movement as a whole moved forward with varied
messages (Non-violent Protest to Black Power for instance). Ultimately, most
of the victories of the movement (Montgomery Bus Boycott, Sit-ins, Freedom
Rides, etc.) would inch the movement closer to the 1964 Civil Rights Act faster
using unconditional love than advocates of more radical philosophies.

EQ: How did

economic and social
changes impact
B) Identify ONE specific example of an achievement in the Civil Rights
American values in
the Post WWII period? Movement that came about because of the philosophies/beliefs listed above.
Given an exit card,
100% of SWBAT
- Answer a peerevaluated (with
rubric) APUSH short
answer question

The Montgomery Bus Boycott was an event that led to the Non-Violent
Peaceful Protest approach mentioned above by King. The Boycott, which
lasted over a calendar year, did two things: 1) it got the Supreme Court to rule
that segregation on public busses was unconstitutional, and 2) that civil
disobedience was an effective way of challenging the racial segregation that
had become part of the South. The Boycott created a two pronged approach,
litigation and peaceful protest, that would lead other groups to challenge the
Jim Crow South.

SWBAT analyze
content from
APUSH curriculum Key concept 8.3.I
(1945-1980)

Key Concept 8.3

Rapid economic
and social changes
in American society
fostered a sense of
optimism in the
postwar years, as
well as underlying
concerns about
how these changes
were affecting
American values.
EQ: How did
economic and social
changes impact
American values in
the Post WWII period?
Given an exit card,
100% of SWBAT
- Answer a peerevaluated (with
rubric) APUSH short
answer question

Postwar economic, demographic, and technological

changes had a far-reaching impact on American
society, politics, and the environment.

Big Idea Questions:

How did economic growth impact American society
and American values?
How did new immigration laws in 1965 impact
immigrants? (Change and continuity)
How did the counterculture impact on American
society?

SWBAT analyze
content from
APUSH curriculum Key concept 8.3.I
(1945-1980)
Rapid economic
and social changes
in American society
fostered a sense of
optimism in the
postwar years, as
well as underlying
concerns about
how these changes
were affecting
American values.
EQ: How did
economic and social
changes impact
American values in
the Post WWII period?
Given an exit card,
100% of SWBAT
- Answer a peerevaluated (with
rubric) APUSH short
answer question

Key Concept 8.3, I

Rapid economic and social changes in American
society fostered a sense of optimism in the postwar
years, as well as underlying concerns about how
these changes were affecting American values.

A: Economic Growth increased due to:

Federal spending, baby boom generation, prosperous
private businesses
Impacts of this growth?
Suburbanization, higher education opportunities, Sun
Belt gaining influence (at expense of the Frost Belt)

SWBAT analyze
content from
APUSH curriculum Key concept 8.3.I
(1945-1980)
Rapid economic
and social changes
in American society
fostered a sense of
optimism in the
postwar years, as
well as underlying
concerns about
how these changes
were affecting
American values.
EQ: How did
economic and social
changes impact
American values in
the Post WWII period?
Given an exit card,
100% of SWBAT
- Answer a peerevaluated (with
rubric) APUSH short
answer question

Key Concept 8.3, I

Impacts of this growth?
Suburbanization, higher education opportunities, Sun
Belt gaining influence (at expense of the Frost Belt)

SWBAT analyze
content from
APUSH curriculum Key concept 8.3.I
(1945-1980)
Rapid economic
and social changes
in American society
fostered a sense of
optimism in the
postwar years, as
well as underlying
concerns about
how these changes
were affecting
American values.
EQ: How did
economic and social
changes impact
American values in
the Post WWII period?
Given an exit card,
100% of SWBAT
- Answer a peerevaluated (with
rubric) APUSH short
answer question

The Baby
Boom
Data on the Boom
1947 3.8 million babies
were born
1952 3.9 million babies
were born
1954 to 1964 4 million
plus each year
when the boom finally
tapered off, there were 76.4
million baby boomers in
the United States.
They made up almost 40
percent of the nations
population.

QW: The baby boom

was also accompanied
by a surge in home
construction and a
massive shift towards
people moving to the
suburbs.
1. Explain why you
think this was the
case.
QW - CHALLENGE!
A very large
percentage of those
moving to the suburbs
were white. Why do
you think this was the
case? What does this
tell you about
American society at

SWBAT analyze
content from
APUSH curriculum Key concept 8.3.I
(1945-1980)

The Baby Boomers

Rapid economic
and social changes
in American society
fostered a sense of
optimism in the
postwar years, as
well as underlying
concerns about
how these changes
were affecting
American values.
EQ: How did
economic and social
changes impact
American values in
the Post WWII period?
Given an exit card,
100% of SWBAT
- Answer a peerevaluated (with
rubric) APUSH short
answer question

QW - (Drawing Conclusions) Analyze the

line graph above concerning birth rate data.
Write a 2 3 sentence observation on what you
are seeing in the above data. Use past U.S. History
information to help you with your conclusion/s.

SWBAT analyze
content from
APUSH curriculum Key concept 8.3.I
(1945-1980)
Rapid economic
and social changes
in American society
fostered a sense of
optimism in the
postwar years, as
well as underlying
concerns about
how these changes
were affecting
American values.
EQ: How did
economic and social
changes impact
American values in
the Post WWII period?
Given an exit card,
100% of SWBAT
- Answer a peerevaluated (with
rubric) APUSH short
answer question

Key Concept 8.3, I

B: The rise of a homogeneous mass culture
Was caused by:
Economic and Social Changes
Anxiety over the Cold War
Was challenged by artists, intellectuals, and youth
Beat Movement - writers that challenged middle
class conformity
The Affluent Society (1958) - brought attention to
income disparity in post-WWII US
Rock and roll music - Elvis Presley, Beatles

SWBAT analyze
content from
APUSH curriculum Key concept 8.3.I
(1945-1980)
Rapid economic
and social changes
in American society
fostered a sense of
optimism in the
postwar years, as
well as underlying
concerns about
how these changes
were affecting
American values.
EQ: How did
economic and social
changes impact
American values in
the Post WWII period?
Given an exit card,
100% of SWBAT
- Answer a peerevaluated (with
rubric) APUSH short
answer question

The 1950s Man & Woman

The 1950s man was
expected to be:
Hard working
(business).
White collar
Family oriented.
Conservative, with
high moral values
and standards of
behavior.
Patriotic.
Patriarchal
(dominant).

The 1950s woman

was expected to be:
A home maker.
Business was
for men.
Family oriented.
Obedient to her
husband.
A nurturing
mother.
QW - Compare/Contrast:
In what ways are these social norms
similar to today? In what ways are
they different? Justify your answers.

SWBAT analyze
content from
APUSH curriculum Key concept 8.3.I
(1945-1980)
Rapid economic
and social changes
in American society
fostered a sense of
optimism in the
postwar years, as
well as underlying
concerns about
how these changes
were affecting
American values.
EQ: How did
economic and social
changes impact
American values in
the Post WWII period?
Given an exit card,
100% of SWBAT
- Answer a peerevaluated (with
rubric) APUSH short
answer question

Key Concept 8.3, I

C: Rise of a conservative movement:
Was caused by:
Urban unrest - riots in cities (Watts), increase
in violence
Juvenile delinquency
Challenges to the traditional family - increase
in divorce rate and births out of wedlock
Promoted their own agenda:
Smaller government, tougher stance on crime

SWBAT analyze
content from
APUSH curriculum Key concept 8.3.I
(1945-1980)
Rapid economic
and social changes
in American society
fostered a sense of
optimism in the
postwar years, as
well as underlying
concerns about
how these changes
were affecting
American values.
EQ: How did
economic and social
changes impact
American values in
the Post WWII period?
Given an exit card,
100% of SWBAT
- Answer a peerevaluated (with
rubric) APUSH short
answer question

Rock n
Roll

SWBAT analyze
content from
APUSH curriculum Key concept 8.3.I
(1945-1980)

DOL

Rapid economic
and social changes
in American society
fostered a sense of
optimism in the
postwar years, as
well as underlying
concerns about
how these changes
were affecting
American values.
EQ: How did
economic and social
changes impact
American values in
the Post WWII period?
Given an exit card,
100% of SWBAT
- Answer a peerevaluated (with
rubric) APUSH short
answer question

Postwar economic, demographic, and

technological changes had a far-reaching impact
on American society, politics, and the
environment.
1: Using your knowledge of United States history,
answer parts a an b.
A) Briefly explain why ONE of the following helped
impact America after World War II.

The Baby Boom

The Beat Movement

Rock and Roll

B) Briefly explain why ONE of the other options is not

as persuasive as the one you chose.

SWBAT analyze
content from
APUSH curriculum Postwar economic, demographic, and technological changes had a far-reaching impact on
Key concept 8.3.I
American society, politics, and the environment.
(1945-1980)

DOL

1: Using your knowledge of United States history, answer parts a an b.

Rapid economic
and social changes
in American society A) Briefly explain why ONE of the following helped impact America after World War II.
fostered a sense of
The Baby Boom The Baby Boom of the late 1940s to the mid 1960s
optimism in the
added over 70 million people to the population of the United States.
postwar years, as
This event would lead to an explosion in housing, schooling, clothing,
well as underlying
automobile production, and overall consumerism. Politically, this group
concerns about
of people would become very influential once they turned of age in the
how these changes
1970s and 1980s. Socially, this groups would be associated with many
social changes, including the beat Movement and subsequent nonwere affecting
conformity seen in the 1960s and 1970s.
American values.

The Beat Movement

EQ: How did
economic and social

Rock and Roll

changes impact
American values in
the Post WWII period? B) Briefly explain why ONE of the other options is not as persuasive as the one you
chose.

Given an exit card,

100% of SWBAT
- Answer a peerevaluated (with
rubric) APUSH short
answer question

Although influential, the Beat Movement was in my mind less impactful than the Baby
Boom generation. It is true that the Beat Movement helped bring about the
counterculture and hippie movement of the 1960s/1970s. It is also true that this group of
people, overall, would have a large impact on politics during the anti-Vietnam War years.
They would indeed help fuel the New Left movement of the 1960s and 1970s. However,
it would not have the economic and political impact that the overall Baby Boom would
have. In a way, we are to this day feeling the impact of the Baby Boom generation
(because they are now retiring in large numbers).