Module 2: the Suburbs

The Suburbs

The post-war suburbs became the epitome of the American Dream, offering a vision of prosperity, stability, and upward mobility that resonated with millions of returning veterans and their families. Levittown, one of the most famous examples of suburban development, symbolized this new era of affordable homeownership. Built by William Levitt in the late 1940s, Levittown featured mass-produced, affordable houses designed to accommodate the growing middle class. The availability of high wages, often secured through the efforts of labor unions, made homeownership attainable for many families, and the automobile allowed them to easily commute to cities for work. With newly paved highways connecting suburban developments to urban centers, the automobile became central to this suburban lifestyle, allowing families to enjoy the comfort of suburban living while maintaining access to urban jobs and amenities.

For many, the suburban lifestyle embodied the idealized version of the American Dream—a secure home in a safe neighborhood, a stable job, and a growing family. In these suburbs, the role of the housewife became a key component of this idealized family life, with women often staying at home to raise children while men worked outside the home in stable, unionized jobs. The safe neighborhoods in which these families lived were seen as havens from the perceived dangers and uncertainties of urban life, offering a sense of community and security. The prosperity of the post-war era, fueled by economic growth, strong unions, and rising wages, made these suburban dreams a reality for millions, creating a new social and economic order that would shape American society for decades to come.