The American Dream in the 1940s and 1950s
I can assess the extent to which the American dream was experienced in the post-war period.
The American Dream in the 1940s and 1950s
I can assess the extent to which the American dream was experienced in the post-war period.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- American incomes rose during the post-war period.
- Americans began to buy more consumer goods after the end of WW2.
- Government policies were introduced in the 1940s to support economic growth.
- Many people were unable to live the American Dream.
- There were significant inequalities in 1940s and 1950s America.
Keywords
GDP - GDP is the total value of goods and services produced in a country in a year
Consumerism - consumerism is a situation where growing amounts of non-essential goods are sold and purchased
Tariff - a government tax on imports into a country is called a tariff
Inequality - inequality is a situation in which some groups in a society have more advantages than others
Common misconception
Women experienced no economic improvements in the post-war period.
Female employment fell and women suffered from lower pay than men but average incomes for women did still rise.
To help you plan your year 11 history lesson on: The American Dream in the 1940s and 1950s, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your year 11 history lesson on: The American Dream in the 1940s and 1950s, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 4 history lessons from the USA Society: how far did American society change after WW2? unit, dive into the full secondary history curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.
Content guidance
- Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
Lesson video
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Starter quiz
6 Questions
Exit quiz
6 Questions
the total value of goods and services produced in a country in a year
where growing amounts of non-essential goods are sold and purchased
schemes where consumers buy products without full upfront payment