Ch. 15 Sec. 2- Life after WWII What was the name of legislation that helped returning soldiers from WWII? What was the dramatic rise in births in the United States after WWII called? What did Executive Order 9981 do? What were two main components of Truman’s Fair Deal that did not get passed?
To help veterans, the federal government enacted the GI Bill of Rights. Benefit Results The bill provided one year of unemployment pay for veterans unable to find work. The pay helped veterans support themselves and their families. The bill provided financial aid to attend college. Eight million veterans entered or returned to college. The bill entitled veterans to loans for buying homes and starting businesses. There was an upsurge in home construction, which led to explosive growth in suburban areas. 2
The Baby Boom. Between 1940 and 1955, the U.S. population experienced its greatest increase, growing 27 percent from about 130 to about 165 million. 3
Executive Order 9981 Ended Segregation in military Signed on June 26, 1948 Last all black unit was disbanded in 1954
But Congress rejected most of Truman’s Fair Deal proposals. Shortly after the election, Truman announced a far-ranging legislative program he called the Fair Deal. The Fair Deal was meant to strengthen existing New Deal reforms and establish new programs, such as national health insurance and more funding for education. But Congress rejected most of Truman’s Fair Deal proposals. 5
Ch. 16 Sec. 3- Life in the 1950s What major household item boomed after WWII and what was it’s impact? What was the UNIVAC? What was Jonas Salk’s big contribution? What did Levittown represent? What major construction project did the government take on in the 1950s?
Sales of TVs skyrocketed during the 1950s. Sitcoms, which reflected 1950s ideals, told the stories of happy families with few real-life problems. Children’s shows had huge followings, and baby boomers became the first generation to grow up watching TV. Because Americans were exposed to the same shows and advertisements, the media helped erode distinct regional and ethnic cultures. Starting with the 1952 presidential campaign, television changed political campaigns by allowing citizens to see the candidates in action. 7
UNIVAC First appeared in 1951 as one of the first computer systems Accurately predicted 1952 Presidential election Used for large number computations Cost over $1 million
Under 2,000 reported cases now days Dr. Jonas Salk’s polio vaccine had nearly eliminated the disease. 58,000 cases of polio in 1952 Under 2,000 reported cases now days Did not profit from this or live in the spotlight When he was asked in a televised interview who owned the patent to the vaccine, Salk replied: "There is no patent. Could you patent the sun? 9
Newly married veterans who needed housing looked to the suburbs. Between 1940 and 1960, 40 million Americans moved to the suburbs, one of the largest mass migrations in history. Because few houses were built during the war, the U.S. had a severe shortage of urban housing. Newly married veterans who needed housing looked to the suburbs. 10
To support the growing “car culture,” in 1953 President Eisenhower authorized funding to build the interstate highway system. In 1956, Congress passed the Interstate Highway Act, the biggest expenditure on public works in history. Fast-food restaurants, drive-in movie theaters, and the travel and vacation industries all benefitted from the new roads. Over 40,000 miles of road 11