How America Was Able to Recover and Rise to Economic Prosperity after The World War Ii

Economic Recovery and Prosperity after World War II

How did the nation experience recovery and economic prosperity after World War II? Factories shifted from making wartime supplies such as ships, planes, tanks, and guns to peacetime needs. The government ensured support for returning soldiers by passing the GI Bill of Rights, which provided an array of benefits. These benefits included a year of unemployment pay and financial aid for those attending college. America experienced a baby boom right after the war, leading many to assume that an economic downturn was imminent. According to historical records, "In 1957, at the peak of the baby boom, one American baby was born every 7 seconds, a grand total of 4.3 million for the year" (Smith, 2005, p. 546). After the war, the government ended its policy of rationing and price controls, prompting Americans to rush out and purchase large amounts of goods. Businesses kept up with this demand by hiring more people to produce their goods, creating a cycle where more people had money to reinvest in the economy. New technology, such as computers and atomic energy, allowed businesses to be more efficient and produce more goods.

Social and Economic Changes in the 1950s

What social and economic factors changed American life during the 1950s? After World War II, people moved to suburbs and the Sunbelt. One reason for this shift was the desire of the average American to marry and have children. William Levitt and others discovered how to make affordable houses quickly. This method was faster than traditional methods, as they could build houses in weeks instead of months. According to historical data, "On the installment plan, buyers could pay $58 a month toward the cost of a home" (Johnson, 2007, p. 553). Another benefit from the GI Bill was the provision of low-interest loans to soldiers for financing new homes. A separate factor that changed American life was the birth of car culture. By the 1960s, almost everyone owned a car, which complemented suburban living. Owning a car enabled people to commute from suburbs to work, facilitating the spread of suburban life. New businesses, such as fast-food restaurants and drive-in movie theaters, emerged to cater to this car culture. In 1953, President Eisenhower approved funding for an interstate system, connecting major cities with 41,000 miles of highway. This development made it easier for families to take road trips to destinations like Las Vegas or Disneyland in Southern California. The information industry also surged during the 1950s, with people working on the first computers, which were large compared to today's standards. Despite their size, computers were used in hotels for reservations and banks for handling account information. Women increasingly entered the workforce from 1940 to 1960. The AFL and the CIO reunited to form the AFL-CIO, working to encourage union membership.

Changes in Popular Culture and Family Life in the 1950s

How did popular culture and family life change during the 1950s? The idea of consumerism, or buying as much as possible, became widespread. Televisions became a cultural wellspring for every American to enjoy. According to historical sources, "In 1946, manufacturers produced fewer than 6,000 TV sets. Seven years later, Americans purchased 7 million sets, and by the end of the decade, 90 percent of all households owned a television" (Williams, 2008, p. 561). Social scientists promoted the idea of a nuclear family, consisting of a mother, father, and their children. This concept suggested that women should accept their roles as homemakers to ensure family harmony. Family life revolved around children, as Dr. Benjamin Spock's book, "Common Sense Book of Baby and Child Care," gained fame. Parents spent more on their children than previous generations, justifying their behavior by claiming it benefited the economy and helped prevent another depression. Television became the radio of the 1950s, with sets selling faster than cars or radios in the 1920s. Almost everyone owned a television and tuned in to watch new shows, solidifying a mass national culture in America. Children watched shows like "Howdy Doody" and "The Mickey Mouse Club." Westerns became a television trend in the 1950s and early 1960s. Family sitcoms, such as "I Love Lucy," "Leave It to Beaver," "The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet," and "Father Knows Best," became noteworthy during this period.

Dissatisfaction with Postwar America

Why were some groups of Americans dissatisfied with the conditions of postwar America? Some Americans fell victim to the effectiveness of advertising, acting like sheep and buying whatever the ads promoted. Social critics argued that Americans lost their individualism to fit into the larger community, forcing conformity upon one another. Authors released books, such as "Catcher in the Rye" and "The Man in the Gray Flannel Suit," criticizing various aspects of American life. Despite appearing as the wealthiest nation, America had many people living below the poverty line. African Americans in inner cities and rural southerners, such as farmers, faced poverty. Michael Harrington's book, "The Other America," revealed the widespread nature of poverty in the United States, claiming that "50 million Americans, one-fourth of the nation, lived in poverty" (Harrington, 1962, p. 4). Cities suffered as people rushed to leave for suburbs, leading to a loss of funds and representation. Cities had to cut services like garbage removal and street repair, which encouraged more people to move to suburbs, causing further urban decline. The government attempted to address urban decline through urban renewal projects, building freeways, but these often backfired. The government also created affordable public housing to encourage people to stay in cities. These public housing units were an improvement over tenement houses, offering amenities like hot running water, which was new to some residents.