The 1950s are held up by many as a great time in the United States of America. Of course, there were downsides: segregation and other elements of Jim Crow redlining (the legal zoning of neighborhoods to prevent black families from moving in and getting loans that build intergenerational wealth) were still rampant. Women's participation in the formal economy was much lower, meaning that their economic clout was far lower, something we now know is inextricably linked to physical abuse of women. The Cold War was at its height, and the threat of nuclear war loomed large. To cap it all off, Europe and much of the rest of the world had been recently bombed to smithereens. Those areas that had not been bombed, had not yet gone through the massive growth we have seen recently.

Of course, this meant it was a terrific time to be a certain kind of American worker. The competition either did not exist yet, or was legally barred from competing, or had recently been in a huge war. Meanwhile, a third of workers were in unions, which guaranteed them a share of what they created in the form of healthcare access and a good wage that could support a family. Tax rates on top earners were also higher (though not as much as is often claimed). With so many countries growing or healing rapidly and so much untapped potential in the American population, growth was incredibly fast - so everyone felt like they were getting richer. It was a great time for some and a time of great improvement for others.

How well do you know the 1950s? Let's find out!