Prosperity in the years after the Second World War

Question 1

Example to illustrate the post war prosperity

• GNP

Answer 1

The US economy grew significantly during the war. GNP had risen 35% since 1941.

Question 2

Economic expansion

• Employment

Answer 2

Created greater employment opportunities in many industries, for example aircraft production, chemicals and electrical goods.

Question 3

Not all areas of the USA were equally prosperous after WW2 (Post-war prosperity disproved)

Answer 3

In 1947, 33% of US homes lacked running water and 40% flush toilet.
Many families lived in rented accommodation and could hardly have imagined owning their own property.

Question 4

Post-war prosperity

• Home ownership

Answer 4

By 1960 so many were able to take home ownership for granted, as it had risen from 55% in 1950 to 62% in 1960.

Question 5

Impact of the growth of the car industry after WW2

Answer 5

It led to much greater mobility and the development of suburbs.

Question 6

Impacts of the development of suburbs

Answer 6

1) It meant that many Americans no longer needed to live in crowded towns and cities.
2) It symbolised the prosperity of ordinary people they were owner-occupiers.

Question 7

Growth of the car industry

• Sales of cars

Answer 7

Sales of cars rose form 69,500 in 1945 to 6.7 million by 1950, and the vast majority were US-made.

Question 8

Growth of the car industry

• Success

Answer 8

A car cost 40% of the average family income but most were brought on credit.

The number of two-car families doubled between 1951 and 1958

Question 9

Interstate Highway Act 1956

Answer 9

Boosted federal subsidies for rad building and developed the infrastructure of US highways.

Question 10

Implication of road building in 1950s

Answer 10

Road building developments signified the demise of public transport in the USA.

Passenger services on railroads lost an average $700 million per year by the mind-1950s.