SSUSH20- Analyze U.S. international and domestic policies including their influences on technological advancements and social changes during the Truman and Eisenhower administrations. Technological Advancements and Social Changes During the Administrations of Truman and Eisenhower

What happened after WWII in America? Soldiers return home to start families. This led to the “Baby Boomers”. Baby boomers were anyone born between 1945-1965. The population in America tripled. Suburbs (sprawling neighborhoods) also develop after the war. Suburbs (such as Levittown) were built all over America. The houses were “cookie cutter”. Many of the houses were bought by soldiers through the assistance of the GI Bill.

GI Bill The first domestic issue to address after the war is the need of the soldiers who wanted to go to school or re- enter the workforce. The GI Bill provided low interest loans for homes and starting new businesses for soldiers. In addition to providing loans, the GI Bill also provided grants for soldiers to attend college.

National Interstate and Defense Highways Act Pres. Eisenhower wanted to further protect the US from attacks The National Interstate and Defense Highways Act was passed in 1956 The purpose was to create better highways that can be used to mobilize troops, tanks, and airplanes. Wider highways were built and the old two-lane highways became a thing of the past.

McCarthyism McCarthy held Senate hearings under the House of Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC) that involved questioning many people (including people in Hollywood) who supposedly had ties to communism. The questionings did not prove his theories and it ruined his political career. A new found fear of communism was started by US Senator, Joseph McCarthy, a Republican from Wisconsin. He claimed the following: Truman was “too soft” on communism and losing China to communism Communist sympathizers and infiltrated the State Dept Traitors were shaping policies to help the Soviets

Integration of the US Armed Forces In July 1948, President Harry S. Truman signed an executive order ending segregation in armed forces. The full integration of the armed forces didn’t really take place until the Korean War. Both Truman and Eisenhower signed further legislation protecting the employment rights of African-Americans.