1. Post War America Economic Readjustment Economic Readjustment –With war contracts being cancelled, many people are laid off –3 million people out of a job –Prices of goods rise steadily for 2 years –Eventually prices stabilize once supply and demand meet their equilibrium

2. Quick Comeback People had money to burn People had money to burn Why?  Saved money over the course of the war, invested in war bonds, obtained $$$ from service Why?  Saved money over the course of the war, invested in war bonds, obtained $$$ from service People wanted to now buy goods they could not get during the war (sugar, coffee and other items that were rationed before) People wanted to now buy goods they could not get during the war (sugar, coffee and other items that were rationed before) Cold War keeps defense jobs open and people employed Cold War keeps defense jobs open and people employed

3. Truman’s Dilemma Post war Truman had to face striking laborers Post war Truman had to face striking laborers Prices were rising but wages were not Prices were rising but wages were not Government took control of the mines and threatened to take over Railroads Government took control of the mines and threatened to take over Railroads Threatened to draft strikers into the military and force them to work, Union caved Threatened to draft strikers into the military and force them to work, Union caved

4. Taft- Hartley Act 1947 A right-to-work law prevents unions from negotiating contracts requiring companies to fire workers who refuse to join the union. A right-to-work law prevents unions from negotiating contracts requiring companies to fire workers who refuse to join the union. Required unions to give notice before going on strike Required unions to give notice before going on strike Forbade unions to contribute to political campaigns Forbade unions to contribute to political campaigns Affidavits that union officers are not Communists Affidavits that union officers are not Communists

5. Truman Fights for Civil Rights Puts forth anti lynching, poll tax, integration of military bills Puts forth anti lynching, poll tax, integration of military bills All are rejected by Republican Congress All are rejected by Republican Congress 1948, Issues Executive Order for integration of armed forces and an end to discrimination in hiring of Government employees. 1948, Issues Executive Order for integration of armed forces and an end to discrimination in hiring of Government employees. “equality of treatment and opportunity in the armed forces without regard to race, color, religion, or national origin” - Truman

6. The Dixiecrats Truman runs for election in 1948. Was he ever elected before? Truman runs for election in 1948. Was he ever elected before? Dixiecrats nominate Strom Thurman (South Carolina) Dixiecrats nominate Strom Thurman (South Carolina) He is a segregationist who along with many other southern white was upset with Truman’s civil rights policies. He is a segregationist who along with many other southern white was upset with Truman’s civil rights policies.

7. Truman Wins Election in 1948 “Give ‘em Hell, Harry” Embarks on a whistle stop campaign to gain public support Embarks on a whistle stop campaign to gain public support After winning he proposed the Fair Deal: After winning he proposed the Fair Deal: –Nation wide system of health insurance X –Crops subsidy for farmers X –Raising minimum wage  40 to 75 cents –Extending Social Security coverage  10 million more people –Low income family housing  Over 800,000 low income housing units

8. Election of 1952 Stevenson (D) v. Eisenhower (R) Many people blamed the democratic party for all the turmoil at home and abroad Many people blamed the democratic party for all the turmoil at home and abroad They wanted a change and Ike promised them that. They wanted a change and Ike promised them that. Eisenhower wins election even after Nixon’s controversy. Eisenhower wins election even after Nixon’s controversy. –Checkers the dog

9. The ‘Burbs Introduction of the Suburbs : Introduction of the Suburbs : –Small residential community surrounding cities –The building of Suburbs is in direct response to the housing crisis at wars end. –People are taking white collar jobs that paid better and allowed them to buy an affordable home, purchase cars, buy gas and commute to work

10. The Baby Boom! Soldiers returning home helped contribute to the spike in births Soldiers returning home helped contribute to the spike in births Between the years 1945- early 1960’s Between the years 1945- early 1960’s In 1957 an infant was born every 7 seconds in the US (4,308,000 in that year) In 1957 an infant was born every 7 seconds in the US (4,308,000 in that year) Largest generation in the nations history Largest generation in the nations history Advances in medicine helped – Dr. Jonas Salk (1955) Advances in medicine helped – Dr. Jonas Salk (1955)

11. Women's Roles Many women returned home after the war, but they were not happy Many women returned home after the war, but they were not happy They had tasted freedom and independence and were not content with just keeping the home They had tasted freedom and independence and were not content with just keeping the home Many kept a smile on their face. But why? Many kept a smile on their face. But why? Eventually many women return to the work force only to hit a glass ceiling Eventually many women return to the work force only to hit a glass ceiling

12. White Flight White middle class Americans leave the city to live in the ‘burbs White middle class Americans leave the city to live in the ‘burbs –Cities lose people, business, property and income taxes –Public resources are stretched thin ( Schools, Police, Public Transportation) Inner Cities Inner Cities –They are damaged by the flight and are left to decay –Most ppl do not want to believe that America can have poor people –Most choose to ignore the plight of the cities and hide in the suburbs

13. Pop Culture TV TV –As technology grew, TV stations were able to broadcast cross country –Huge surge in new shows –Adverting, TV guide, frozen dinners, all benefited from TVs popularity Radio Radio –Radio survives by adjusting their format and relying on music and news Movies Movies –Movies market the larger screens, better sound and color pictures to bringing viewers along with gimmicks

14. Consumerism Material goods = Success Material goods = Success –People buy more electric appliance, they save time and can buy more products for leisure activities Planned Obsolescence: Planned Obsolescence: –Manufacturers design goods to become obsolete