Final answer:
The growth of suburbs in America during the 1950s and 1960s was significant, with the suburbs growing by 46% in the 1950s alone. By 1960, one-third of the U.S. population lived in suburbs. Government policies and the pursuit of the American dream contributed to this trend, profoundly altering American society and economy.
Step-by-step explanation:
The growth of suburbs in America during the two decades following 1950 was a significant portion of the country's demographic changes. In the 1950s, the suburbs saw an explosive increase in population, with an astonishing 46 percent growth from 1950 to 1960 alone. This suburban expansion continued throughout the 1960s, substantially altering the American landscape and shifting the population from urban areas to suburban ones. By 1960, about one-third of the U.S. population resided in suburbs.
The post-WWII era facilitated this mass migration to the suburbs, driven by the desire for homeownership, the growth of family income, and the availability of consumer goods. The American dream was significantly associated with the suburban lifestyle, which promised a better quality of life with new homes, schools, and other amenities. The federal and local governments provided financial incentives to encourage people to move to these areas, leading to a new wave of suburban living.
By the end of the 1960s, material culture flourished with a significant number of American families owning modern appliances and cars, a clear indication of the prosperity that suburban living brought to many. This shift had a profound effect on both society and economy, including changes in the tax bases of American cities and the apportionment of seats in the House of Representatives. The suburban growth shaped the trajectory of American life for decades to come.