The Postwar Boom! US History

America at home GI Bill of Rights GI Bill of Rights Encouraged Education Encouraged Education Paid half of tuition Paid half of tuition Year’s worth of Unemployment Benefits Year’s worth of Unemployment Benefits Low Interest Loans Low Interest Loans 1948 Election: “Give ‘em hell Harry!” (Democrat) 1948 Election: “Give ‘em hell Harry!” (Democrat) Dixiecrats: Southern Democrats nominating their own candidate! (J. Strom Thurmond) Dixiecrats: Southern Democrats nominating their own candidate! (J. Strom Thurmond) Truman’s “Fair Deal” Truman’s “Fair Deal” Extension of New Deal; compulsory health insurance, steady income for farmers----Shot down by Congress! Extension of New Deal; compulsory health insurance, steady income for farmers----Shot down by Congress!

Registration Day at Harvard after the G.I. Bill of Rights

1948 Election 1. Truman was unpopular due to high inflation and labor unrest 2. He did take a strong stand on civil rights- The Committee on Civil Rights was formed to look at racial issues.

1948 ELECTION He banned racial discrimination in the military and in federal job hiring. He banned racial discrimination in the military and in federal job hiring. Anti-lynching laws, anti-poll tax measures Anti-lynching laws, anti-poll tax measures

1948 ELECTION Southern Democrats were outraged by the African American demand for equal rights as well as Truman’s actions.

E. The Fair Deal He promised Americans a continuation to FDR’s New Deal with a series of new reforms : He promised Americans a continuation to FDR’s New Deal with a series of new reforms : Full employment Full employment Higher minimum wage Higher minimum wage National Health insurance National Health insurance Construction of affordable housing Construction of affordable housing Increased aid to farmers Increased aid to farmers Expansion of welfare benefits (and to more people) Expansion of welfare benefits (and to more people)

F. 22nd Amendment 1.Proposed March 24, “No person shall be elected to the office of the President more than twice, and no person who has held the office of the President, or acted as President, for more than two years of a term to which some other person was elected President shall be elected to the office of the President more than once.”

American dream of the 50’s Baby Boom Baby Boom 40s-60s 40s-60s 1957: baby born every 7 seconds: 4, 308,000 (year) 1957: baby born every 7 seconds: 4, 308,000 (year) Leisure in the 50s Leisure in the 50s 40 Hour Work Weeks 40 Hour Work Weeks Several Weeks Vacation Several Weeks Vacation Labor Saving Devices Labor Saving Devices Recreational Activities Recreational Activities TV and Avid Readers TV and Avid Readers Do-It-Yourself, Cooking, etc. Do-It-Yourself, Cooking, etc.

American dream of the 50s Automobiles Automobiles Automania led to the “Interstate Highway Act 1956”—Route 66 Nationwide highway network Drive-In Movies Drive-In Movies Restaurants Restaurants Shopping Malls Shopping Malls More Wrecks/More Stress! More Wrecks/More Stress!

American dream of the 50s Federal Communications Commission (FCC)Federal Communications Commission (FCC) I Love LucyI Love Lucy Mickey Mouse ClubhouseMickey Mouse Clubhouse Howdy Doody ShowHowdy Doody Show Rock ‘n’ RollRock ‘n’ Roll Chuck BerryChuck Berry Elvis PresleyElvis Presley “The King”“The King” JazzJazz Miles DavisMiles Davis