Postwar America POSTWAR AMERICA Postwar America My Qs

Postwar America POSTWAR AMERICA

Postwar America: My Q’s Describe three of the factors that led to a booming economy after WWII. Why did consumerism grow after WWII? What effect did suburbanization have on American society? Describe three important advances in technology and medicine after WWII.

Economic Boom With WWII finished, millions of soldiers returned home to a completely new America. By late 1946, the U. S. economy was booming. Consumers, who had saved $135 billion during the Great Depression and WWII, went on a buying spree after the war. The G. I. Bill was a big part of the boom since it gave money to veterans for education, homes, and businesses. Another major fact in the Postwar Economic Boom was the Baby Boom.

The G. I. Bill In 1944, Congress passed the G. I. Bill, rewarding men and women who fought for their country in WWII. It provided returning G. I. ’s with low-interest, government-backed loans to start businesses or buy homes and farms. Some 4 million G. I’s bought homes with their G. I. loans, which greatly stimulated the postwar construction industry, economy, and suburbanization.

G. I. Bill Continued Uncle Sam also offered to pay tuition and expenses for 4 years of college or professional training to veterans. 1 ½ million veterans accepted the offer and by 1947, over a half of college students were G. I. Bill veterans. Since enrollment soared, more colleges were created. Because of the G. I. Bill many working class Americans were able to rise into the middle class.

The Baby Boom In the 1950 s Americans married younger and produced more babies than the previous generation. The increased birth rate and medical advances —including the polio vaccine—for children cut infant mortality led to the largest population growth for a decade in U. S. history. Baby Boomers are just entering retirement age, causing our generation to pay increased taxes to pay for their rising medical costs.

Postwar Consumerism Many Americans began to embrace consumerism and began to buy, and buy some more! Living on a budget from the Great Depression and WWII, people were ready to spend. Also, because of the Baby Boom, more products were being bought for the growing population. Also, credit cards became wildly popular and people used these cards to buy televisions, radios, and cars.

Suburbanization Since the Baby Boom increased the American population quickly, a housing shortage plagued America. In response, many American families moved to the suburbs and built houses. The movement to the suburbs led to the creation of a more expansive highway system in America. Also, people began to rely more on cars than public transportation, contributing to the rise of pollution, gas stations, fast food, and vacationing.

Pop Culture in the 50 s By 1960, 90% of families owned a television As a result three major networks—ABC, NBC, and CBS—dominated the airwaves and were taking in over $1. 5 billion in advertising revenue. Commercials influenced what people read, ate, and wore. Hollywood films, portraying Americans as white and middle class, glorified material success and portrayed women as servants and dumb. However, moviegoing declined as Americans watched more TV.

Advances in Medicine Advances in medicine lengthened life and also started new controversies. Heart health dramatically improved as artificial heart valves and open-heart bypass surgery helped people with heart issues. Meanwhile the discovery of a polio vaccine helped children and organ transplant procedures helped those suffering from specific diseases. However, the development of birth control and genetic engineering generated new debate.

New Technology New technologies developed in Postwar America significantly made life easier. In the field of communication, the first computer, mobile phones, and improvements in television broadcasting made long range communication easier. Nuclear energy was first developed during this time period, allowing energy to be produced in a different fashion. Transportation also was enhanced during this time period with the development of passenger planes and improvements to the automobile.