(4a) Economic transformation

Question 1

1945: USA had __% of world’s population, but __% of global income.

Answer 1

1945: USA had 7% of world’s population, but 42% of global income.

Question 2

how much did employment increase between 1947-1957 for middle class workers

Answer 2

The number of jobs in professional and technological work grew enormously with the number of salaried middle-class workers rising 61% between 1947 and 1957.

Question 3

how many cars were produced in 1955 compared to 1946

Answer 3

1946 car production was 2 million and by 1955 this had increased to 8 million

Question 4

what New industries emerged from WW2:

Answer 4

Nuclear physics aerospace, electronics and chemicals

Question 5

when was the taft hartley act passed and what did it involve?

Answer 5

In 1947 the Taft-Hartley Act was passed which limited the power of the unions in favour of employers.
The Act also gave the president the power to prevent strikes that were against the national interest.

Question 6

what was the impact of the growth in the car industry?

Answer 6

it benefitted feeder industries

led to the growth of suburbs and domestic tourism

Question 7

which big three corporations totally dominated the car industry.

Answer 7

General Motors, Ford and Chrysler

Question 8

how did owning a car influence the growth in suburbs

Answer 8

Owning a car meant people had more freedom of choice about where to live. Many opted to move away from industrial areas and towns into the suburbs

Question 9

to what extent did people living in the suburbs increase 1920-1960

Answer 9

Americans living in the suburbs went from 17% in 1920 to 33% by 1960

Question 10

what was a consequence of growth in suburbs

Answer 10

18 million Americans moved out of cities: “white flight”, and growth of the middle class

Question 11

What precise examples are there of uneven distribution of wealth? Give 2. *

Answer 11

33% homes lacked running water

40% lacked flushing toilets

Question 12

Describe the role of William Levitt and Levitt houses in the growth of the suburbs. *

Answer 12

in 1947 Levitt, built 10,600 houses in New York; these homes were quickly purchased and
By 1953, 70,000 lived there

Mass-produced houses using prefabricated door frames, walls, and window frames that could be easily put together

standard white picket fencing, fitted kitchens, and a green lawn.

Question 13

In 1957 how much was the nappy industry worth? *

Answer 13

$57 million

Question 14

Impact of car industry = Growth of domestic tourism

Answer 14

Americans could now drive to areas throughout America. As in the 20s, this encouraged domestic tourism which boosted local economies

Question 15

how did The GI Bill of rights Aid postwar prosperity

Answer 15

Grants to veterans to improve their education, learn new skills or set up a business on returning from war

$2,000 loan for starting business

The Federal Housing Authority gave support to veterans wanting to buy their own home with mortgages of up to 90%, and low interest

Question 16

what was the impact of the gi bill of rights?

Answer 16

This created a housing boom - which in turn benefitted the construction industry
By 1956, 4.3 million home loans had been made with a combined value of $33 billion.

Question 17

how did The Federal Housing Authority support veterans

Answer 17

gave support to veterans wanting to buy their own home with mortgages of up to 90%, and low interest

Question 18

How much did the GI Bill of rights cost the government?

Answer 18

1944 to end of the GI Bill in 1956, cost the federal government $14.5 billion.

Question 19

what were levittowns

Answer 19

Mass-produced houses using prefabricated door frames, walls and window frames that could be easily put together ‘on site’. Standard white picket fencing, fitted kitchens and a green lawn.
1947 Levitt bought 1,200 acres of farmland on Long Island, New York, where he built 10,600 houses; these homes were quickly purchased and occupied by more than 40,000 people.

Question 20

how many people lived in levvittowns by 1953

Answer 20

By 1953, 70,000 lived there

Question 21

Following the midterm elections of 1946, Republicans gained control of Congress. In 1947 passed the Taft-Hartley Act which limited the power of the unions in favour of employers.
summarise what this meant for trade unions

Answer 21

Outlawed the closed shop - where people in a particular industry have to be in a union
Outlawed secondary strikes - where workers strike in support of others in an industrial dispute.
Made it more difficult to call a strike and the right for employers to sue unions.
Union leaders had to swear they were non-communist.
The Act also gave the president the power to prevent strikes that were against the national interest.