1. Economic and Social Politics WWII-1989 U.S. History Mr. Jeffers

2. Truman Administration (1945-53) Implemented the GI Bill of Rights, giving free college education and other loans to vets. Implemented the GI Bill of Rights, giving free college education and other loans to vets. 1946: High inflation (18.2%) 1946: High inflation (18.2%) The Employment Act of 1946 expands FDR’s New Deal and promises that the Gov’t will use all its resources to achieve “maximum employment.” The Employment Act of 1946 expands FDR’s New Deal and promises that the Gov’t will use all its resources to achieve “maximum employment.” Taft-Hartley Act passes in 1947 outlawing “closed shops” (union-only) and allows states to pass “right to work” laws. Taft-Hartley Act passes in 1947 outlawing “closed shops” (union-only) and allows states to pass “right to work” laws.

3. Truman Administration (1945-53) Baby boom: a population explosion that occurred after WWII Baby boom: a population explosion that occurred after WWII Dr. Ben Spock writes Baby and Child Care Dr. Ben Spock writes Baby and Child Care William Levitt builds first Levittown in 1947 William Levitt builds first Levittown in 1947 Norman Vincent Peale writes The Power of Positive Thinking (our first “self-help” book? Norman Vincent Peale writes The Power of Positive Thinking (our first “self-help” book? 8,000 families own TVs 8,000 families own TVs GNP hits $231.3 Billion in 1947 GNP hits $231.3 Billion in 1947

4. Truman Administration (1945-53) 1948 Truman is narrowly reelected, defeating Illinois Governor Thomas Dewey. 1948 Truman is narrowly reelected, defeating Illinois Governor Thomas Dewey. 1949 National Housing Act passed – promises reasonably priced housing for all Americans. 1949 National Housing Act passed – promises reasonably priced housing for all Americans. 1950 McCarran Act requires members of Communist organizations to register with gov’t. 1950 McCarran Act requires members of Communist organizations to register with gov’t.

5. Eisenhower Admin. (1953-1961) 1952 and 1956: General Eisenhower defeated IL Gov. Adlai Stevenson (Dem.) twice. 1952 and 1956: General Eisenhower defeated IL Gov. Adlai Stevenson (Dem.) twice. 1953 and 1957: Economic recessions 1953 and 1957: Economic recessions Dr. Jonah Salk develops polio vaccine. Dr. Jonah Salk develops polio vaccine. 1956 Highway Act authorizes the Interstate Highway system. 1956 Highway Act authorizes the Interstate Highway system. Peak of baby boom in 1957 Peak of baby boom in 1957 1 st Boeing 707 in use in 1958 1 st Boeing 707 in use in 1958 1960: GNP hits $503.7 Billion 1960: GNP hits $503.7 Billion

6. Kennedy Administration (1961-1963) JFK barely defeated Ike’s VP Richard Nixon in 1960 after the first televised Presidential debate. JFK barely defeated Ike’s VP Richard Nixon in 1960 after the first televised Presidential debate. 1962: Harrington writes The Other America about poverty 1962: Harrington writes The Other America about poverty 1963 Betty Friedan writes The Feminine Mystique 1963 Betty Friedan writes The Feminine Mystique JFK was assassinated on November 22, 1963 by Lee Harvey Oswald who was then assassinated by Dallas nightclub owner Jack Ruby JFK was assassinated on November 22, 1963 by Lee Harvey Oswald who was then assassinated by Dallas nightclub owner Jack Ruby

7. Johnson Administration (1963-1969) 1964 – LBJ wins a landslide election against conservative AZ Senator Barry Goldwater 1964 – LBJ wins a landslide election against conservative AZ Senator Barry Goldwater Johnson is able to pass landmark civil rights legislation largely on JFK’s memory. Johnson is able to pass landmark civil rights legislation largely on JFK’s memory. NOW (Nat’l Org. for Women) is founded in 1966. NOW (Nat’l Org. for Women) is founded in 1966. Johnson declares “War on Poverty” with the Great Society programs, including Medicare Johnson declares “War on Poverty” with the Great Society programs, including Medicare

8. Nixon Administration (1969-1974) 1969 Woodstock Festival of Peace and Love 1969 Woodstock Festival of Peace and Love 1971 26 th Amendment – 18-yr.-old voting age 1971 26 th Amendment – 18-yr.-old voting age 1972 Congress approves the Equal Rights Amendment (but it fails to be ratified by ’82) 1972 Congress approves the Equal Rights Amendment (but it fails to be ratified by ’82) Washington Post reporters Woodward and Bernstein break the Watergate scandal and begin to bring Nixon down. Washington Post reporters Woodward and Bernstein break the Watergate scandal and begin to bring Nixon down. Roe v. Wade verdict legalizes abortion in ’73. Roe v. Wade verdict legalizes abortion in ’73.

9. Nixon Administration (1969-1974) Vice-President Spiro Agnew resigns after a bribery scandal in 1973. Congressman Gerald Ford takes his place as VP. Vice-President Spiro Agnew resigns after a bribery scandal in 1973. Congressman Gerald Ford takes his place as VP. Congress establishes an investigation of Watergate headed by Sen. Sam Irvin (D- NC) Congress establishes an investigation of Watergate headed by Sen. Sam Irvin (D- NC) In 1974, after the House Judiciary Committee votes to impeach Nixon, the president resigns. In 1974, after the House Judiciary Committee votes to impeach Nixon, the president resigns.

10. Ford Administration (1974-1977) Gerald Ford – only president to not be elected either VP or Pres. Gerald Ford – only president to not be elected either VP or Pres. Pardons Nixon for crimes Pardons Nixon for crimes Arab oil embargo leads to gas shortages and inflation. Arab oil embargo leads to gas shortages and inflation. OPEC = Org. of Petroleum Exporting Countries OPEC = Org. of Petroleum Exporting Countries Ford launches WIN (Whip Inflation Now) Ford launches WIN (Whip Inflation Now) Gov’t spending cuts and increased interest rates sparked worst recession in 40 years. Gov’t spending cuts and increased interest rates sparked worst recession in 40 years.

11. Carter Administration (1977-1981) Jimmy Carter defeated Ford in 1976 as an “outsider” to D.C., capitalizing on frustration over Vietnam and Watergate. Jimmy Carter defeated Ford in 1976 as an “outsider” to D.C., capitalizing on frustration over Vietnam and Watergate. OPEC continues to raise prices. OPEC continues to raise prices. 1979 National Energy Act placed a tax on gas- guzzlers and encouraged new energy sources. 1979 National Energy Act placed a tax on gas- guzzlers and encouraged new energy sources. 1979 Iranian Hostage Crisis adds to Carter’s woes 1979 Iranian Hostage Crisis adds to Carter’s woes 1980 Inflation hits 11.3% 1980 Inflation hits 11.3%

12. Reagan Administration (1981-1989) CA Gov. Ronald Reagan defeats President Carter for re-election in a landslide electoral victory. CA Gov. Ronald Reagan defeats President Carter for re-election in a landslide electoral victory. Very Conservative Pro-Business Administration Very Conservative Pro-Business Administration Conservative publications like the Wall Street Journal and the National Review oppose affirmative action, abortion, and welfare. Conservative publications like the Wall Street Journal and the National Review oppose affirmative action, abortion, and welfare. Televangelists such as Jerry Falwell and Pat Robertson form groups like Moral Majority and Christian Coalition. Televangelists such as Jerry Falwell and Pat Robertson form groups like Moral Majority and Christian Coalition. No response to the 1 st AIDS case No response to the 1 st AIDS case

13. Reagan Administration (1981-1989) “Supply-Side” Economics held that if people paid fewer taxes, they would invest in the economy and produce more goods (supply). “Supply-Side” Economics held that if people paid fewer taxes, they would invest in the economy and produce more goods (supply). July 1981-Nov. 1982 -- worst recession since Depression (10.1% unemployed) July 1981-Nov. 1982 -- worst recession since Depression (10.1% unemployed) “Reaganomics” consisted of “Reaganomics” consisted of 1. budget cuts 1. budget cuts 2. tax cuts 2. tax cuts 3. increased defense spending 3. increased defense spending

14. Reagan Administration (1981-1989) Deregulation: Reagan cut back on government regulation of several industries such as the airline industry and the savings and loan industry. Deregulation: Reagan cut back on government regulation of several industries such as the airline industry and the savings and loan industry. Environment: Reagan cut the budget of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Environment: Reagan cut the budget of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). 1984: Reagan easily won re- election against Walter Mondale and Geraldine Ferraro, the 1 st women on a major party ticket. 1984: Reagan easily won re- election against Walter Mondale and Geraldine Ferraro, the 1 st women on a major party ticket.

15. Reagan Administration (1981-1989) 1986 Tax Reform Act simplified the tax code, exempting many poor Americans. 1986 Tax Reform Act simplified the tax code, exempting many poor Americans. The Supreme Court: The Reagan-Bush appointments to the court end the era of liberalism (also, Reagan appointed the first woman, Sandra Day O’Connor) The Supreme Court: The Reagan-Bush appointments to the court end the era of liberalism (also, Reagan appointed the first woman, Sandra Day O’Connor) 1986 Iran-Contra (arms for hostages) scandal – Colonel Oliver North later convicted in 1989. 1986 Iran-Contra (arms for hostages) scandal – Colonel Oliver North later convicted in 1989. 1987: “Black Monday”– Stock Market drops 508 pts in one day; U.S. Budget Deficit and U.S. Trade Deficit both increase to all time highs. 1987: “Black Monday”– Stock Market drops 508 pts in one day; U.S. Budget Deficit and U.S. Trade Deficit both increase to all time highs.

16. Reagan Administration (1981-1989) NEW REPUBLICAN COALITION: NEW REPUBLICAN COALITION: Westerners – resented federal control of mining and grazing Westerners – resented federal control of mining and grazing Southerners – favored federalism and states’ rights over federal governmental power Southerners – favored federalism and states’ rights over federal governmental power Wealthy – benefited from tax cuts and Reaganomics Wealthy – benefited from tax cuts and Reaganomics Businesspeople – favored deregulation of the economy Businesspeople – favored deregulation of the economy Reagan Democrats – Conservative Democrats who believed the Democratic Party had become too liberal Reagan Democrats – Conservative Democrats who believed the Democratic Party had become too liberal