1. Lesson 5 Postwar Prosperity
Postwar America ( )
Lesson 5 Postwar Prosperity

2. Lesson 5 Postwar Prosperity
Postwar America ( )
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.

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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?

6. II. Baby Boom and the 50’s Life style

7. 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

8. 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

9. Americans Migrate to the Sunbelt

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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

13. 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

14. 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

15. 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