Post-WWII U.S. Economic & Social Changes

Key Terms and Concepts

• Demobilization

  • Transition from a war-focused economy to a peacetime economy.

• G.I. Bill of Rights

  • Legislation providing benefits to WWII veterans for reintegration into civilian life.

• Baby Boom

  • Significant rise in birth rates post-WWII, contributing to rapid population growth in the U.S.

• Taft-Hartley Act

  • Legislation that prohibited "closed shop" arrangements, negatively impacting labor unions.

• Fair Deal

  • President Truman's initiative aimed at enhancing social programs and establishing a national healthcare system.

Legislative Developments

• Interstate Highway Act

  • Legislation enabling the construction of 41,000 miles of highways across the United States.

• California Master Plan

  • Strategy intended to broaden educational access and democratize higher education opportunities.

Economic and Social Shifts

• Sunbelt

  • Term referring to the southern and western states, noted for their growing significance in the U.S. economy.

• Information Industries

  • Sector representing white-collar jobs centered around technology and information management.

• Multinational Corporation

  • Business entity operating in multiple countries, enhancing global trade and economic interconnectedness.

• Franchise Business

  • Business model allowing independent operators to sell a company's products or services through their outlets.

Cultural Trends and Movements

• Consumerism

  • Cultural phenomenon emphasizing the acquisition of goods as a key aspect of lifestyle and identity.

• Median Family Income

  • Income level that serves as a midpoint between the wealthiest and poorest families in a given population.

• Nuclear Family

  • Traditional family structure consisting of two parents and their children, typically 2.5 kids.

• Beatnik

  • Cultural movement characterized by artists and writers who challenged mainstream societal norms of the 1950s.

Urban and Policy Issues

• Urban Renewal

  • Concept focused on revitalizing urban areas through development projects to enhance city attractiveness.

• Termination Policy

  • Government strategy aimed at disbanding tribal governments and relocating Native Americans to urban environments.

• Inner City

  • Areas within cities marked by poverty, high crime rates, and significant minority populations.