A. Social and Economic Background:

---The per capita GNP was less than US$100 in 1951 and had reached US$154 in 1960.

---While employment opportunities were on the increase, unemployment was still a severe problem.

---Population growth remained very high; in 1960 the natural growth rate peaked at 3.26%.

---The illiteracy rate among people over 15 years of age was 37.2% in 1960. High school and vocational school graduates made up 6.7% of the population, and those with higher education made up only 2.4%.

---The 0-14 year age bracket constituted 45.1% of the population in 1960. Those 65 years and older constituted 2.5%.

B. Food

---Food still consisted of simple and coarse fare.

C. Clothing

---Sewing machines (foot powered), woven cotton cloth, khaki, and clothing stitched from flour sacks were some of the features of this period. Cloth and leather shoes gradually became common.

D. Housing

1.Urban housing:

Japanese-style single-story dwellings made of wood and bricks were common. Many homes had power and some were equipped with simple water systems. The style of bathtubs and toilets began to change. Electric fans and dial-type telephones became more common. The most common fuels were wood, charcoal, or balls of pressed coal dust. Simple refrigerators using blocks of ice were in use.

2. Rural housing:

Houses were built in a traditional rural style using mainly wood, bamboo, and earth. A small number of areas had simple running water or electricity. Most households lacked toilets or bathing facilities. Wood was the most common fuel.

3. A gradual migration began towards urban areas and the population of Taipei passed the 500,000 mark.

E. Transportation

---Bicycles, three-wheeled vehicles

F. Education

---Elementary school facilities were lacking. Classes were conducted by rote, and students had to cram to pass tests and advance in the educational system. Instructional books and magazines were in short supply.

G. Entertainment

---Radios (tube-type), phonographs

---Since most people's lives still centered on obtaining the necessities of life, there was little time for leisure activities and most recreation was very simple. Major activities included watching opera (theaters, open-air stages, outdoors movies, music halls), listening to music, and enjoying art. People often travelled to scenic, historic, or cultural spots such as Pakuashan, Alishan, or hotspring districts.

---The development of scenic areas, hot springs, public beaches, and forest recreation areas began. Moreover, because of the presence of American soldiers and many foreign diplomats, the government constructed the Tamsui Golf Course to meet their recreation needs.

H. Health Care

---A midwife assisted with most births.

---As many as 75% of children in elementary school suffered from trachoma; in order to treat this condition, teachers applied medication to their students' eyes.

---Elementary school teachers applied medication to girls' heads to treat head lice.