After WW2 America was the richest society in the world, due to most war damage being in Europe and Asia, and not having to pay compensation to any countries as a result of the war. This gave America a head start after the war to get back to the prosperity it had enjoyed before the Great Depression and war.
In society, women and blacks had been of much use to the US labour system to produce resources for the country, and to fight for their country in Asia and Europe. Their newfound freedom in work and society was oppressed by the white workers returning from war and seeking their old jobs back. Many of the workers found resistance coming from women, who were enjoying their work and did not want to return to the stereotype of a middle-class woman staying at home. Blacks also enjoyed new freedoms and respect by fighting effectively in the war. In the South many whites did not want blacks to get well paid jobs and encouraged them or even threatened them to work in the fields or in back-breaking manual labour. Blacks still fought for equality in stages, one example being the Brown vs. Topeka case of 1954. Linda Brown and many other black children were taught in schools with inadequate resources or teachers. Brown fought against her local town’s board of education for the right to go to a better resourced white school and for segregation barriers to be broken down. The judges ruled that black children are being violated in Topeka schools. The next day local papers printed headlines of how the end of the white lifestyles was coming. This successful court case encouraged many others to speak out against their underfunded education and subsequent oppression.
Due to the economic growth suburban communities were built in the rural areas and were based upon the American ideals. They had neatly made streets of houses, malls and shops. They were made to be ideal for the American middle-class family. Due to the rise in jobs and shops in the suburban areas many urban areas saw a drop in workers and shopper coming to their cities and blamed it on the growth of suburban American communities.
In the 50’s the youth also saw a change in behaviour as they became more free and rebellious to their parents. During and after the war, many teenagers were left at home for long hours during the day. They became known as ‘latchkey kids’, this independence was being blamed for their delinquent behaviour. Modern music and culture was also blamed for young people’s behaviour, such acts such as Elvis Presley became infamous with parents and so did his fast, catchy music.
To conclude, there were many factors why America was divided in the 50’s, all being equally responsible. But a changing society and fear of communism caused the huge changes that occurred in the 1960’s.