The Superpower, 1945-1975

Question 1

Impact of WWII and the Cold War on economic growth

Answer 1

Maximum war production (1945, responsible for 50% of world’s production)decreased unemployment rates
Technological and scientific advancements - Military Industrial Complex and 1951 Stanford Industrial Park
Defence establishments in South reduced divisions

Question 2

GI Bill of Rights 1944

Answer 2

Offered grants to veterans for education, skills, businesses. Used by 8mn people who received $20 per week whilst looking for work. Less than 20% of money allocated was distributed as universities considerably expanded admissions of veterans. Offered lower interest on home loans in suburbs.

Question 3

Fair Deal - Truman 1945

Answer 3

Major improvements in coverage and adequacy of unemployment compensation system
Substantial increases in minimum wage with broader coverage

Question 4

Interstate Highways Act - Eisenhower 1956

Answer 4

Constructed 41,000 miles of roads
Allocated $26bn (90% of construction costs) > from increased gasoline tax
Designed for high speed driving, eliminate traffic congestion, mobility, efficient transportation

Question 5

Levitt homes

Answer 5

Invented a house with 27 construction parts
Levitt built 2000 on a site in Long Island due to housing shortage
By 1951, original Levittown grown to 17,000 homes for 82,000 people
Maintained poor living conditions: 1947, 35% lacked running water, 40% flushed toilets (cities + South)
Home ownership: 1950=55%, 1960=62%

Question 6

Baby boom

Answer 6

Suburbanisation due to 4mn born each year 1954-64
Produced 3/4 of world’s supplies

Question 7

President Truman

Answer 7

1945-1953
Democrat
Committed to reform -extending New Deal

Question 8

Full Employment Bill 1945

Answer 8

Congress watered down proposals
Increased dole, minimum wage, supported farm prices and implemented a public works programme
Declared employment to be a right and required the government to ensure jobs were available

Question 9

Labour relations (T 1st term)

Answer 9

Post WWII prosperity > strikes for wage rises
Nov 1945 Special labour-management conference, ended without agreement
April - United Mine Workers strike
May - Railroads strike

Announced conscription of railway workers and wanted to introduce legislation to prevent strikes

Question 10

1946 Midterms

Answer 10

Republicans made big gains, won control of both houses of Congress
Congress proposed Taft-Hartley Bill (harder for unions) - Truman vetoed but passed anyway
1948 Truman unsuccessfully tried to pass various New Deal type measures

Question 11

1948 Election

Answer 11

Democratic Party split (Progressives)
Opinion polls showed substantial Republic win for Thomas Dewey

Truman promised extension of New Deal reforms
30,000 mile whistle stop tour
Criticised Republican Congress as ‘do nothing’

Truman won majority of over 2mn, regained control of Congress
Lost Southern vote with desegregation of armed forces - executive order

Question 12

The Fair Deal 1949

Answer 12

Tried to introduce a range of welfare measures but Conservatives (R+D) blocked many proposals
Success - Raised minimum wage, extended Social Security Act and passed act to assist slum clearance and provide housing for the poor
Proposals - Federal aid for small farmers, education and reforms of tax system

Question 13

President Dwight Eisenhower

Answer 13

1953-1961
Moderate Republican
Prominent military role with Russians respect
1950 Head of NATO

Question 14

1952 Election

Answer 14

Democrats divided + McCarthyism
Eisenhower seen as an authentic war hero with national appeal
Nixon as running mate (Slush Fund Scandal)

Question 15

1956 Election

Answer 15

Eisenhower easily re-elected
Considered dropping Nixon (knowledge of foreign affairs)

Question 16

Eisenhower legacy

Answer 16

Critics:
‘Do nothing’, too conservative
Represents big business (businessmen cabinet)
Little sympathy for civil rights

Admirers:
Safe, able, mediator, decisive

Question 17

Eisenhower domestic achievements

Answer 17

Congress - Democratic majority during 6/8 years and worked well
Dynamic conservatism (“being conservative when it comes to money and liberal when it comes to human beings”)
Decreased role of federal government (ended wage and price controls, decreased subsidies)
Continued most of New Deal and Fair Deal programmes
Strengthened social security, raised minimum wage, Departments of Health, Educarion and Welfare
Interstate Highways System 1956

Question 18

President John F. Kennedy

Answer 18

1961-1963
Democrat
Experienced, effective orator, divided legacy (overrated, fresh air)
Assassinated

Question 19

1960 Election

Answer 19

Kennedy v Nixon
Closest election since 1888
JFK majority of 118,574

• Catholic vote
• Son of rich family
• Appeared youthful “in his prime”
• Desire for change - New Frontier
• Challenged threat of communism
• MLK 1960 - AA support
• TV - 70mn viewers watched 4 televised debates
• LBJ running mate

Question 20

New Frontier

Answer 20

‘Brains Trust’ - team of young experts from unis for new ideas
Economy - tax cut, high cost public works, grants to high tech companies, spending on defence, space, etc > jobs, limited prices and wages
Min wage $1^$1.25
Manpower and Training Act (LT unemployed)
Area Redevelopment Act (loans+grants to states)
Social Security Act (help to elderly+unemployed)

Successful, although unemployment in certain industries (coal, iron, steel), dependent on spending.
Medicare - against Congress, unemployment, housing shortages

Question 21

Opposition to the New Frontier

Answer 21

Preoccupied by foreign policy, lacked a clear coherent programme
Proposals blocked by Conservatives
SOUTHERN CONGRESSMEN, even Democrats disliked Civil Rights commitment
Opposed further extension of power of federal government and greater government spending > rugged individualism

Question 22

President Lyndon B. Johnson