It was a time of affluence, of optimism, of faith in the promise of America.” In what ways does this statement capture the America of 1945 to 1960? In what ways does it not? ... read full comment
It was a time of affluence, of optimism, of faith in the promise of America.” In what ways does this statement capture the America of 1945 to 1960? In what ways does it not?
The fear that reigned in American society was whether another recession loomed after World War II. The fears were legitimate because the drop in military spending; one critical factor amongst many that had prop up the economy after the Great Depression was inevitable because the war had ended. Instead, consumer demand ignited by the quest to acquire gadgets such as television, washing machine, dish washers and most importantly automobiles help offset any “damages” that might have been created. The phenomenal growth of the economy with widespread prosperity, higher wages, and a housing boom was as a result of carefully crafted policies, which included favorable conditions for businesses by the injection of capital by the federal government. The government ensured that businesses enjoyed unrestrictive and favorable conditions to be able to grow and employ the returning veterans to which corporations lived up to. Also the Serviceman’s Readjustment Act popularly called GI Bill, the law that provided a range of benefits for veterans ensured that they had access to low-cost mortgages, low interest loans to start business, payments of tuition and living expenses to attend college etc. Historians believe the GI bill was the most important law passed to address the concerns of the postwar and also, hail it as an economic stimulant because it prevented fierce competition for jobs and created a workforce with new skills.
The National Interstate and Defense Highways Act signed into law by President Dwight D. Eisenhower saw the construction of highways in record proportions previously unheard of. As per the law, the Federal government provided a chunk of the percentage for the construction whilst the state and local government provided a reasonable percentage. That meant people could travel around the country on first class access roads and drive comfortably in their automobiles. People drove to and from work and did their shopping at malls reachable by only driving. (Foner 994.) It was also seen as an integral component of national defense and had manifold economic benefits such as providing jobs for the unemployed.
The main engines of economic growth during the 1950s, however, were residential construction and spending on consumer goods. Increasing population and migration from cities to suburbs meant new housing developments were in demand. The dream of home ownership, the physical embodiment of hopes for a better life was now within the reach of ordinary Americans (Foner 993). The investment by developers such as the Levitt brothers, William and Alfred created neighborhoods that sprang up the landscape. The first “Levittown” neighborhood built shortly after the war on a 1200 acres of potato fields on Long Island near New York was home to some 40,000 people. Their houses were assembled from prefabricated parts and priced within the reach of the average American.
The increasing variety and availability of consumer goods, an effect of the prevailing prosperity, coupled with intense advertisements on the television created a demand for these products. Another important consideration was the new approach to debt. Low interest rates and the spread of credit cards encouraged Americans to borrow money to purchase consumer goods. Americans became comfortable living in never ending debt once seen as a loss of economic freedom. (Foner…. 995)
Consumerism became a widespread phenomenon and people defined their life’s by the ability to own these products. Television advertisement was a game changer. It was on here that showed the various brands and products that made life easier Television replaced newspapers as the most common source of information about public events, and TV watching became the nation’s leading leisure activity. Its effect was even felt in the kitchen. The Frozen dinner that could be heated and eaten whilst watching a TV program was in vogue and provided All Americans of all religions, and backgrounds with a common cultural experience.
Suburbanization hardened the racial lines in American life. Whereas the migration from cities to suburbs turns to be only for White Americans whilst the most black congregated and in some cases created new ghettos. There was also tension between Puerto Ricans who had lost their livelihoods on the tobacco and cotton farms when American companies expanded onto their fields. The process of racial exclusion is one of the cankers that permeated an otherwise pleasant period in American history. Non whites remained concentrated in manual and unskilled jobs, the result of employment discrimination and their virtual exclusion from educational opportunities at public and private universities, including those outside the south. (Foner…1001).
The prosperity of the era meant American Society believed in science, technology, progress and a future of prosperity.
It was a time of affluence, of optimism, of faith in the promise of America.” In what ways does this statement capture the America of 1945 to 1960? In what ways does it not? ...
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