Post War America Flashcards
What happened after the war?
A boom
What was America known as by the 1950s?
Richest country in world
By when was America the richest country in the world?
1950s
In the 1950s, how much of the world’s manufactured goods was America supplying?
1952 - 65%
Why did the economic boom arise after the war for USA while other countries struggled?
USA suffered no mainland bomb damage in WW2 unlike all its other industrial competitors
What were living standards like in the 1960s?
By 1960s, living standards of avg American was 3 times that of avg Brit
American Consumerism (5)
Goods only expected to last a few years + then replaced
People could afford new luxury goods (fridges, vacuum cleaners, cars, TVs) so bought them
Credit schemes encouraged spending
Malls built - convenience
Common to spend + not save
When was Truman’s Fair Deal?
1945-1952
What was Truman’s Fair Deal? (2)
Main issues = poverty + rights for A.Americans
Wanted to bring about fairer society
What was part of Truman’s Fair Deal? (5)
Raised min wage from 40 cents to 70 cents
Cleared large slums to make way for affordable housing
GI bill passed to help veterans
- established hospitals, cheap home loans, grants to pay ex soldiers to attend college/trade school
— from 1944-49 nearly 9mil veterans received $4bn from gov
When did Eisenhower become president?
1952
Eisenhower (3) (when, encouraged what, Republican/Democrat)
President 1952
Encouraged economic growth
Republican
Percentage living in suburbs in 1960
25%
How many people had cars in 1945 and 1960?
1945 - 25 million
1960 - 62 million
Percentage still living in poverty in 1950s
25%
