USA in 1945

Question 1

Why did Americans view WW2 as a ‘Good War’? (4 examples)

Answer 1

There was no fighting on American soil - lack of casualties/destruction
Economic boom with numerous industries producing at full-speed
Strongest position in the world (politically, economically, militarily)
Employment successes

Question 2

Why was there no fighting on American soil during WW2? (2 reasons)

Answer 2

America was far away from the central arenas of conflict (Europe, Africa + Asia)
America joined the war late, only waging war on Japan after Pearl Harbour on December 7th, 1941

Question 3

What industries were at their zenith post-war? (6 examples)

Answer 3

Aircraft
Electrical
Chemical
Tobacco
Food Processing
Pharmaceutical

Question 4

What phrase emphasises the national pride Americans felt due to their country’s strength post-war?

Answer 4

American Exceptionalism

Question 5

What are the two statistics concerning employment success post-war USA?

Answer 5

1943 - 7.25 women were in employment (36% of all working age women)
1944 - more than 1 million black people in employment

Question 6

How much did the federal government spend during WW2? What percentage of that came from taxes?

Answer 6

$350 billion
40% came from taxes

Question 7

When and what was the GI Bill of Rights?

Answer 7

1944
Sought to assist returning military personnel with free vocational training, lower loans and access to higher education

Question 8

What was the percentage rise for college-educated Americans due to the GI Bill of Rights?

Answer 8

10% in 1939 - 15% in 1948

Question 9

Why was there divisions among US society post-war? (3 examples)

Answer 9

Population density of different ethnic groups meant rising inequality
Social mobility was only temporary
Education opportunities wasn’t equal

Question 10

How many Japanese-Americans were put under arrest in 1942? And why?

Answer 10

110,000 Japanese-Americans were put under arrest and put in internment camps
Japan had attacked Pearl Harbour in 1941

Question 11

Why was the GI Bill of Rights not necessarily helpful for African-Americans? What was the statistic for applications?

Answer 11

It wasn’t applied equally to them + Jim Crow Laws were still in place
Only one fifth of the 100,000 black men applied for the educational fund offered

Question 12

Why was social mobility for women only temporary?

Answer 12

After the war, 12 million soldiers returned expecting their old jobs back (agriculture, munitions) - which had all been taken by women during war
Women were excluded from the workplace in favour of returning soldiers