Lesson 5 Postwar Prosperity Postwar America (1945-1960) Lesson 5 Postwar Prosperity

Lesson 5 Postwar Prosperity Postwar America (1945-1960) Lesson 5 Postwar Prosperity Learning Objectives Describe how the Unites States made the transformation to a booming peacetime economy. Discuss the growth of the Sunbelt and the effects of migration. Describe changes in the U.S. economy in the postwar period. Discuss the accomplishments and leadership qualities of Presidents Harry Truman and Dwight Eisenhower.

Causes and Effects of Prosperity in the 1950s War Time Production to Consumerism Americans want to enjoy peace Demobilization – President Truman starts to send troops home. Post War Worries Economic Depression? Unemployment? (Soldiers, Women, Minority Groups) GI Bill – Help veterans returning from WWII Unemployment benefits Financial aid for College $500/year Loans for housing Growth of Suburbs

The Baby Boom Growth of Families Baby Boom Soldiers return home Great Depression ended Baby Boom 1944 – late 1960’s US Population soared – 27% 130 million – 165 million 4.3 Million babies in 1957 Increased consumerism Economic Boost

Analyze Data In your opinion, which is more important to the U. S Analyze Data In your opinion, which is more important to the U.S. economy, home ownership or automobile ownership? Why?

II. Baby Boom and the 50’s Life style

Post War Prosperity Consumerism increased Free Enterprise – business operates without interference from the Government Demand for material products soar Businesses hire more people Creates inventions (Computer) Technological advancements Atomic Energy Credit Cards Computers Larger TV Microwaves TV Dinners

Americans Migrate to the Sunbelt Growth of the Sunbelt Causes Climate Growth of Cities Jobs – NASA (Texas and Florida) Air Conditioning Immigration- Latinos + Cubans (Escape Fidel Castro) Effects Political Power shifted (California/Texas) – Electoral College Impact on travel – traffic jams, overpopulation – growth of suburbs Environment – pollution, smog

Americans Migrate to the Sunbelt

Innovations and Economic Development Employment Service Sector – Health care, law, retail, banking/insurance “White Collar” jobs increased Decline of “blue collar” jobs Labor Force Women in the workforce doubled (Part-time employment) Farming declined New machinery = less workers

A. Changes in business Franchises – company with multiple stores around the nations “Sameness” “Bland” nation bland food, same houses, same TV shows Entrepreneurs McDonalds – Richard and Maurice (1948) Wal-Mart – Sam Walton Estee Lauder Multinational Corporations – sold products across the globe General Motors General Electric IBM Coca- Cola

Truman’s Postwar Leadership President Truman – (FDR passes, April 12, 1945) Post War Troubles Cold War/Communism Domestic Economy Increased inflation – prices increased/pay stayed the same Labor + Congress The economic problems allowed the Republicans to blame the Dems & win power in the 1946 Congressional election Unions increased – demand pay increases Strikes occurred around the nation Taft-Hartley Act – outlawed a “closed shop” – place where only union workers were hired Truman Vetoed – Veto overridden Turned back many accomplishments from the New Deal Civil Rights Truman supported civil rights for African Americans Desegregated the military by executive order

Truman v Dewey Election of 1948 Democratic Party Splits Republicans Southern Democrats upset over civil rights “Dixicrats” – Strom Thurmond Progressive: Henry Wallace upset over foreign policy Republicans Thomas Dewey – New York governor Whistle Stop Truman travels the country to give speeches Election of 1948 Video

D. Fair Deal – Extension of the New Deal programs 1 D. Fair Deal – Extension of the New Deal programs 1. Increased minimum wage 2. Increased Social Security Programs 3. Helped low income families

Eisenhower Leads a Thriving Nation Election of 1952 Republican – Dwight D. Eisenhower “Middle of the Road” Balance between liberals and conservatives won in 1952 because people were tired of Korea and the Democrats Nixon also ran Democrats – Adlai Stevenson Federal Money Interstate Highway system Education