Post-war American society

Question 1

What was the consumer society like in post-war America?

Answer 1

Luxury goods were produced at affordable prices and demand was high, with a powerful advertising industry persuading people to spend money. By 1952, America was supplying the world with 65% of its manufactured goods. America experienced a ‘baby boom’

Question 2

What did Truman’s Fair Deal do?

Answer 2

Raised the minimum wage from 40 to 75 cents.

Large areas of slum housing were cleared to make way for affordable homes

Question 3

What did Truman’s Fair Deal fail to do?

Answer 3

Proposal to introduce national health insurance was blocked

Attempt to improve the rights of African-Americans was halted when Southern politicians voted against it

Question 4

What was life like for women after the war?

Answer 4

After doing such valuable war work, most women went back to their more traditional roles. By 1950, the average marriage age was 20

Question 5

What was the Rock and Roll generation?

Answer 5

booming economy meant parents could help their children financially so many children went to college. Teenagers often spent money on music, cars, fashion and alcohol and soon got a rebellious, aggressive reputation. Rock and Roll was popular among teenagers and was linked to teenage crime

Question 6

What was McCarthyism?

Answer 6

In 1950, McCarthy claimed he had a list of over 200 communists working for the government. For 5 years McCarthy waged a wild campaign of investigations with no evidence