The Second World War and the Cold War period key themes

Question 1

When was the Second World War and the Cold War period?

Answer 1

1941-1960

Question 2

What did this period witness?

Answer 2

considerable change

Question 3

What were the government’s initial concern in the early 40s?

Answer 3

-the government’s initial concern in the early 1940s was victory in WW2 which required it to mobilise its domestic resources->helped to revitalise industry which had not recovered from the Depression and increased affluence->however US forces remained segregated throughout the war

Question 4

What was life like for African Americans in this time?

Answer 4

-black troops gained new experience and confidence in the armed forces and a war against Nazi racism and for democracy over Facism raised issues of the need for change

Question 5

What was life like for women in this time?

Answer 5

-in terms of greater rights for women the suburbanisation of the USA and the fear of change during the Cold War may had led to a period of reaction after the changes and opportunities of the war

Question 6

What were civil rights like in this time?

Answer 6

-civil rights groups grew as there was more mobility between South and North and greater economic opportunity
-the South however remained opposed to change
-in the 1950s with greater prosperity and a more critical outlook was a key time for change and the conflicts over civil rights became more acute that at any time since the 1960s and 1970s