The United States in 1945 (1945-52)

Question 1

How did American’s describe WWII

Answer 1

It was described as a ‘good war’

Question 2

How many total deaths were there in America after WWII

Answer 2

est. 400,000 compared to USSR’s 20,000,000

Question 3

What was the USA’s position in 1945?

Answer 3

They were in the strongest position of any country, led by the growing ideas of American exceptionalism

Question 4

What is American Exceptionalism

Answer 4

The belief that the United States is inherently different from and superior to other nations due to its unique history, values, and political system.

Question 5

How long was Roosevelt president?

Answer 5

12 years (president over the Great Depression and the 1929 Wall Street Crash)

Question 6

What was FDR’s approval rating at the time of his death?

Answer 6

70%

Question 7

When did FDR die?

Answer 7

12th of April 1945

Question 8

What were some issues for Truman after FDR’s death

Answer 8

• He lacked political capital
• Checks and balances left him weak in domestic affairs
• Mrs FDR told him “you are the one in trouble now”

Question 9

What political party was Truman on

Answer 9

Democratic

Question 10

What were the regional divisions in the USA?

Answer 10

• The North East: The political, financial and educational powerhouse (18 out of 32 presidents up to FDR were from the North East)
• West: Sparsely populated but had huge agricultural riches
• South: The most traditional and supported segregation and Jim Crow Laws
• West Coast: Home to Cities like Carlifonia, LA, and San Fransico. Associated with the American Dream

Question 11

What were the ethnic divisions in the USA?

Answer 11

• There were over 130 million white people in 1945
• Asian-Americans made up a small part of the population, but the 1952 Immigration and Nationality Act increased their numbers
• African Americans were the second largest ethnic group (10% of the population). Thet were mostly situated in the south but began to move to the North during the Great Migration

Question 12

What were the social divisions in the USA?

Answer 12

• The Great Depression and the Wall Street Crash levelled out inequalities but not for minorities
• During the war, 36% of the munitions workforce was female, but they were removed from the workforce upon the return of soldiers
• African American soldiers returned to Jim Crow laws and the GI Bill didn’t benefit them (only 1/5th of 100,000 men who applied for the education fund successfully registered for college)