The Economic Transformation of the USA, 1945-1954

Question 1

The economic situation of the USA after WW2

Answer 1

• Post-war prosperity
• The USA emerged out of the second world war as the
  richest nation in the world, economic and employment
  opportunities continued to improve.

Question 2

The USA had _% of world’s population, but _% of global income.

Answer 2

The USA had 7% of the world’s population, but 42% of global income.

Question 3

Per Capita Income: $_, almost _ x Britain

Answer 3

Per Capita Income: $1450, almost 2x Britain

Question 4

Average American consumer: _ calories, _% more than the average European

Answer 4

Average American consumer: 3000 calories, 50% more than the average European

Question 5

Car production in 1946:

Car production in 1955:

Answer 5

Car production in 1946: 5 million

Car production in 1955: 8 million

Question 6

How did Employment change in the USA after WW2?

Answer 6

• Development of jet engines transformed the US
  airforce and airlines. The rise of aeronautical
  engineering meant that jobs required higher skills. In
  turn, causing wages to rise.
• IBM made the first general use computer in 1944.
• Demand for white-collar jobs outnumbered blue-collar
  jobs for the first time in 1956
• Professional jobs and technological jobs grew which
  meant that the no. of salaried middle-class jobs rose by
  61% between 1947 and 1957.
• Increasing demand for workers favoured men and was
  prejudiced against women.

Question 7

Uneven distribution of wealth:

Answer 7

33% of US homes lacked running water, and 40% did not have flush toilets.
Many families rented: 1950 - 50%
1960 - 62%

Question 8

Context of unemployment rates:
1929
1933
1944

Answer 8

1929 - 3.14%
1933 - 24.75%
1944 - 1.2%