1. America post ww II

2. What is happening post war?
The US experiences major increases in economic power
They also see the new role as a world super power
Millions of servicemen (women) are coming home
Increase in credit
Rise in television
The American Dream forms

3. All of these create challenges
Where will the returning veterans work?
Where will they live?
How can we fight inflation?
How can we slow down the increase in labor strikes?
How will the country move forward in their race relations?

4. Where will our veterans find work?
Over $30 billion in defense contracts were cancelled, plus the veterans are returning looking for work
The GI Bill of Rights (now most widely know by its “GI Bill” tuition coverage
Pays part of GI college tuition
Guarantees them a year’s worth of unemployment benefits while looking for a job
Low interest guaranteed loans for housing

5. How to solve the housing shortage
William Levitt introduces the idea of mass producing houses
Building homes in small residential communities outside the larger city, becomes known as the Suburbs
Side-by-side, identical (or near identical) small, open-lot housing
These were affordable to many of the returning GI’s, especially with the GI Bill benefits
Government backed loans, rent controls, zoning laws

6. Fighting inflation
Consumer spending increased post-war, the Office of Price Administration ceased to act after the war
Prices increased as wages sagged
Congress answered by implementing price controls on wages, rents, and products

7. Labor strikes threaten production
Higher prices and lower wages cause unrest in the labor force
Steel, coal, and railroads were affected the most
Truman threatens to draft the striking workers and use them as military labor
Authorized the Federal government to take over the places of major resistance
Was poised to ask Congress for approval to officially draft a group of striking railroad workers to forced labor and the unions gave in

8. Race relations in the 1950’s
Truman staked his presidency on a push for equal rights
Created the Presidents Commission on Civil Rights
Asks Congress for a ban on the Poll Tax and a permanent Civil Rights commission
Congress refused this and the integration of the army
Truman takes action
Integrated the Army via and Executive Order
Called for an end to discrimination in the hiring of government employees