Life after World War II
Once WWII ended, the United States experienced many changes, both good and bad. Despite inflation and war strikes, the U.S successfully transitions to a peacetime economy. The economy didn’t just change, but the government also with the changes in balance of power of the three branches of federal government during the 20th century resulting in the expansion of executive power during periods of crisis. Many factors contributed to the better economy, and even minimum wages increased to 75 cents because of one of Truman’s Fair Deal that Congress passed.
Although with the good times, there came the bad. There was a lot of labor unrest during this period. After WWII, rising inflation triggered the labor unrest. A wave of U.S industrial strikes at the end of WWII contributed to President’s Truman’s attempt to place strict limits on striking labor unions when national interests were at stake. A miner’s strike also took place, which was ended by President Truman by ordering the government seizure of the mines while pressuring owners to grant most union demands. Labor leaders strongly rejected the Taft-Hartley Act in 1947 because the act favored big business interests over union interests. Delinquency was also a problem. Concerns about juvenile delinquency and failing educational systems surfaced during these years. Topping the list of juvenile crimes was car theft, which was something that needed to be changed.
Other countries also had an impact on the U.S. With vision of more business, some businesses expanded overseas to benefit from the cheap labor pool. The U.S was in urgent need for agricultural laborers, so the Bracero Program was formed by the federal government. By the 1950’s, the largest source of agricultural workers in California were immigrants from Mexico. Truman decided to end racial segregation in the military because of the outstanding record of African-Americans who served in the military. Therefore, the State’s Rights Party formed for the 1948 election as a reaction to Truman’s support of civil rights because they didn’t agree with him.
After the war, there was a boom in the economy. Increased consumer spending enabled the economy to continue to grow following the war. The new wealth during the 1950’s reached many parts of populations. Women’s jobs outside the home increased during the 50’s also, helping by giving a little boost to the economy. The increase in the service sector and professional jobs led to a great increase in income for American’s between 1940-1955. Suburbia also developed, but they were criticized for their lack of diversity. A birthrate expansion also transpired from 1945 to 1961 which was known as the Baby Boom. According to John Kenneth Gailbraith, postwar had an “economy of abundance” because of the new business techniques and impound technology.
A bill known as the GI bill was formed which boosted the economy by providing loans to veterans to establish businesses, buy homes, and paid for them to attend college. As a result of the GI bill, many veterans returned to college.
Following Truman, Dwight D. Eisenhower became president. He described his political beliefs as middle of the road. President Eisenhower pushed the passage of the Federal Highway Act, which added 40,000 of new highways to America. Dwight used the term “creeping socialism” to refer to the federal government’s continuing aid to businesses. Many saw this president as a good one, and being a general contributed to his success.
Not just the economy, but technology also flourished. Development of the transistor made the miniaturization of radios possible. Television greatly expanded the audience for professional sports in the years after WWII. Many of the shows that were displayed on TV were adapted from popular radio shows. Although television became popular, radios flourished during the 50’s due to playing of popular records and talk shows. Although, many quiz shows left the air when fraud was discovered in one of them, which was a drawback for the radio. Films of the 1950’s began featuring women, such as the roles played by Marilyn Monroe, who were married, soon to be married, or unhappy that she’s not married. Rock n’ Roll and Blues also thrived from sounds of rhythm, and one its biggest stars was Elvis Presley.
Economy and many other things happened after the end of WWII. Discoveries such as the one by Dr. John Salk, who developed an injection vaccine that prevented Polio, helped the world. Inventions like the transistor for radios, increase in wages, and passing of bills such as the GI bill were progressed during the 1950’s. This was a significant era, which had many contributions to the world to make it what it is today.