How Far Did The US economy Transform 1945-55

Question 1

What was the state of the US economy at the end of World War II?

Answer 1

The USA dominated the world economy, while Germany and Japan were devastated.

Question 2

What happened to Germany’s economy after World War II?

Answer 2

It suffered heavy bombing and fighting that destroyed factories, housing, and roads.

Question 3

What was the impact of the war on Japan’s economy?

Answer 3

Japan experienced heavy bombing and a major economic blockade that severely damaged production.

Question 4

How did the US economy perform after 1945?

Answer 4

It continued its exceptional growth rate after the war.

Question 5

What effect did the expansion of the US economy have on employment opportunities?

Answer 5

It increased employment opportunities for many Americans.

Question 6

What industries continued to grow into peacetime after World War II?

Answer 6

The aircraft and shipbuilding industries.

Question 7

What was the significance of the Berlin Airlift Crisis?

Answer 7

It was an international crisis that led to the creation of NATO and the division of Germany.

Question 8

What was the Korean War?

Answer 8

The first major armed confrontation in the Cold War where North Korea invaded South Korea.

Question 9

What was the production trend of cars from 1946 to 1955?

Answer 9

Car production increased from two million in 1946 to eight million in 1955.

Question 10

What was one of the major indicators of consumer demand in the post-war US economy?

Answer 10

Demand for cars.

Question 11

How did the growth of the clerical sector affect job opportunities for women?

Answer 11

It opened up greater job opportunities for women, who were under-represented in manufacturing.

Question 12

What was the number of shopping centers in the USA in 1945 compared to 1960?

Answer 12

In 1945, there were eight shopping centers; by 1960, there were almost 4,000.

Question 13

Fill in the blank: The new shopping centers sold _______.

Answer 13

[televisions, washing machines, dishwashers, refrigerators, toasters, and other labour-saving domestic appliances]

Question 14

What led to increased demand for oil in the USA during the post-war period?

Answer 14

The expansion of major corporations like General Motors, Ford, and Chrysler.

Question 15

True or False: The US economy was in a period of military preparedness after World War II.

Answer 15

True.

Question 16

What were the years of the Korean War?

Answer 16

1950-1953.

Question 17

What was the outcome of the Korean War by 1953?

Answer 17

A ceasefire was agreed, and the border remained approximately the same.

Question 18

What significant act outlawed school segregation in 1954?

Answer 18

Brown v. Board of Education.

Question 19

What was the Federal Highways Act?

Answer 19

A law that contributed to the development of the US highway system.

Question 21

What was the state of the US economy at the end of World War II?

Answer 21

The USA dominated the world economy, while Germany and Japan were devastated.

Question 22

What happened to Germany’s economy after World War II?

Answer 22

It suffered heavy bombing and fighting that destroyed factories, housing, and roads.

Question 23

What was the impact of the war on Japan’s economy?

Answer 23

Japan experienced heavy bombing and a major economic blockade that severely damaged production.

Question 24

How did the US economy perform after 1945?

Answer 24

It continued its exceptional growth rate after the war.

Question 25

What effect did the expansion of the US economy have on employment opportunities?

Answer 25

It increased employment opportunities for many Americans.

Question 26

What industries continued to grow into peacetime after World War II?

Answer 26

The aircraft and shipbuilding industries.

Question 27

What was the significance of the Berlin Airlift Crisis?

Answer 27

It was an international crisis that led to the creation of NATO and the division of Germany.

Question 28

What was the Korean War?

Answer 28

The first major armed confrontation in the Cold War where North Korea invaded South Korea.

Question 29

What was the production trend of cars from 1946 to 1955?

Answer 29

Car production increased from two million in 1946 to eight million in 1955.

Question 30

What was one of the major indicators of consumer demand in the post-war US economy?

Answer 30

Demand for cars.

Question 31

How did the growth of the clerical sector affect job opportunities for women?

Answer 31

It opened up greater job opportunities for women, who were under-represented in manufacturing.

Question 32

What was the number of shopping centers in the USA in 1945 compared to 1960?

Answer 32

In 1945, there were eight shopping centers; by 1960, there were almost 4,000.

Question 33

Fill in the blank: The new shopping centers sold _______.

Answer 33

[televisions, washing machines, dishwashers, refrigerators, toasters, and other labour-saving domestic appliances]

Question 34

What led to increased demand for oil in the USA during the post-war period?

Answer 34

The expansion of major corporations like General Motors, Ford, and Chrysler.

Question 35

True or False: The US economy was in a period of military preparedness after World War II.

Answer 35

True.

Question 36

What were the years of the Korean War?

Answer 36

1950-1953.

Question 37

What was the outcome of the Korean War by 1953?

Answer 37

A ceasefire was agreed, and the border remained approximately the same.

Question 38

What significant act outlawed school segregation in 1954?

Answer 38

Brown v. Board of Education.

Question 39

What was the Federal Highways Act?

Answer 39

A law that contributed to the development of the US highway system.

Question 41

What are white-collar workers?

Answer 41

Workers who work in offices doing clerical, secretarial or managerial work.

Question 42

What was the impact of advertising on the US economy during the 1950s?

Answer 42

Advertising expenditures increased significantly, leading to numerous job opportunities.

Question 43

How did technological developments in aviation affect employment?

Answer 43

The development of jet engines and aviation technology led to a decline in the importance of traditional manufacturing jobs and increased demand for aeronautical engineering positions.

Question 44

What was the significance of the first general-purpose computer?

Answer 44

Produced by Harvard University in association with IBM, it had 500 miles of wiring and marked the beginning of the communications and data revolution in US business.

Question 45

What was the trend in white-collar jobs compared to blue-collar jobs between 1947 and 1952?

Answer 45

The white-collar workforce increased by 50 percent, while blue-collar jobs in the chemical industry only increased by 3 percent.

Question 46

What role did government policies play in US economic growth post-World War II?

Answer 46

The federal government stimulated economic growth through increased defense spending and support for industries that emerged during the war.

Question 47

What was the effect of the Cold War on government spending?

Answer 47

It led to increased federal government spending and a concentration of industrial power in a few large corporations.

Question 48

What was the Taft-Hartley Act of 1947?

Answer 48

A law that outlawed closed shops and restricted union practices, requiring union leaders to take oaths regarding political contributions.

Question 49

What benefits did the GI Bill provide to veterans?

Answer 49

It offered guaranteed loans for businesses, low-interest mortgages for homes, and educational opportunities, stimulating economic growth.

Question 50

How many home loans were made by 1956 due to the GI Bill?

Answer 50

4.3 million home loans with a combined value of $33 billion.

Question 51

What was the cost of the GI Bill to the federal government?

Answer 51

$14.5 billion between 1944 and 1956.

Question 52

What was the GNP of the US in 1950?

Answer 52

$284.8 billion.

Question 53

What was the percentage change in GNP from 1946 to 1950?

Answer 53

+11%.

Question 54

What is a slang term for a member of the US armed forces?

Answer 54

GI, derived from 'government issue.'

Question 56

What was the impact of car production in the USA between 1946 and 1955?

Answer 56

Car production quadrupled, with the USA producing two-thirds of the world's cars by 1950. ## Footnote The industry was dominated by General Motors, Ford, and Chrysler, all based in Detroit, Michigan.

Question 57

How did car ownership affect American mobility?

Answer 57

The widespread availability of cars led to greater mobility for Americans and contributed to the growth of suburbs around towns and cities.

Question 58

What role did credit purchasing play in car sales during this period?

Answer 58

Car sales were fueled by a major increase in credit purchasing, with short-term credit rising from $8.4 billion in 1946 to $45.6 billion in 1958.

Question 59

What innovations did car manufacturers introduce to stimulate demand?

Answer 59

Manufacturers introduced new models each year with innovations like tail fins, two-tone colors, extra chrome, and white-walled tires.

Question 60

What was the significance of the GI Bill for suburban development?

Answer 60

The GI Bill assisted veterans in acquiring mortgages, leading to increased demand for suburban housing.

Question 61

Who was William Levitt and what was his contribution to suburbia?

Answer 61

William Levitt developed Levittown, building 10,600 houses quickly using prefabricated materials, making suburban living attractive.

Question 62

What was the racial policy in Levittown?

Answer 62

Levitt ensured that homes were sold only to whites, leading to a racially segregated community that was declared illegal in the 1960s.

Question 63

What changes in lifestyle did new suburban developments bring?

Answer 63

Suburban developments offered ranch-style housing with front lawns and backyards, a significant change from inner-city living.

Question 64

What was the economic situation in the USA by 1955?

Answer 64

By 1955, the USA had a significant number of cars, televisions, and swimming pools, but a portion of the population still lived below the poverty line.

Question 66

What was the average family income in suburbia by 1955?

Answer 66

$6,500, which was 70 percent higher than the rest of the country.

Question 67

What new consumer society features emerged in the USA by 1955?

Answer 67

Suburban housing developments, cars, televisions, and easy consumer credit.

Question 68

What impact did cars have on American society in the 1950s?

Answer 68

Cars led to greater mobility, encouraging the development of drive-in restaurants, drive-in movie theatres, and out-of-town shopping centres.

Question 69

What fast food outlet was created in 1954 to meet the demand for eating out?

Answer 69

McDonald's was born.

Question 70

What percentage of Americans lived below the poverty line in 1960?

Answer 70

Nearly 40 million Americans, or 22 percent of the population.

Question 71

What was a consequence of middle-class families moving to the suburbs?

Answer 71

Inner cities fell into economic decline and became associated with crime and poverty.

Question 72

What year did Levitt build 10,600 houses?

Answer 72

In 1948.

Question 73

What was the significance of the suburban housing developments?

Answer 73

They represented a great opportunity for economic growth and home ownership.

Question 74

What was the poverty line for a family of four in 1960?

Answer 74

$3,000 a year.

Question 75

What was a key factor in the economic transformation of the USA post-1945?

Answer 75

Government policies that encouraged economic growth.