• 714 – 719
• Analyze editorial cartoons about
the post-war period.
• Describe conditions in the United
States in the post-WWII era.
The Great Boom (Post-WWII)
Analyzing Political Cartoons:
– Time and place
– Symbolism
– Background knowledge
– What does this cartoon
suggest about the postwar world?
- The use of atomic
weapons might lead
to an uncertain
future…
The Great Boom (Post-WWII)
Directions:
– Each group will have approximately 45-60 seconds to
discuss and analyze the cartoon.
• Write down and label your analysis in your notebook:
– Cartoon # ___:
– Meaning:
(What Issue is described?)_______
– Symbolism: __(Explain 2 examples used)______
– Pass your group’s cartoon clockwise to your neighboring
group.
Mail man
Mail man
“I’m Mrs. Ed Barnes, where do I live?”
The Great Boom (Post-WWII)
Changes/Issues Facing Post-War America:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Shortages of everything from groceries to cars to housing
which caused a fear of inflation in the economy.
Concern over the developing Cold War due to the Soviet
Union imposing Communist regimes in Europe while the
U.S. protected democratic style governments.
The U.S. began to act as international police officer as
protector of democracies in the world rather than be
isolationist.
Cold war also created the need for defense spending which
stimulated the economy.
Left wing, radical ideas grew taboo and unacceptable as
well due to the threat of the Cold War (Communism).
Racial discrimination continued.
Labor strikes erupted.
Solutions:
1. Economic Policy:
The Employment Act of 1946:
• It defined economic growth and
high employment as national
goals.
• Created the “Council of
Economic Advisors” to assist
the president.
2. The Taft-Hartley Act of 1947 to reduce strikes.
- UMW John L. Lewis opposed it, Truman
tried to veto it, but failed.
- Attack by big business on unions:
- blocked the “closed shop”
- prevented boycotts
- unions had to swear there were
no communist members
- “cooling off” period imposed
before a union could strike
Solutions:
3. The G.I. Bill
• Serviceman’s Readjustment Act
(1944)
• Guaranteed Loans to veterans
to purchase homes as part of
the V.A. mortgage program.
• Paid tuition, books, stipends
for veterans to attend college.
4. Levittown
- William Levitt built development
in 1947 using “mass production”
techniques which provided
affordable, low cost housing.
- Long Island, New York
- Basic house was 800 sq. ft.,
two bedrooms, living room, bath
and kitchen. (unfinished attic)
Results of the Housing Boom?
• Home ownership soared
• Housing starts peaked at two million (1950)
• By 1950, 55% of Americans owned a home
• Problems
• Isolated women and children in suburbs and
African-Americans were excluded.
• “redlining”- refusal of banks/insurance
companies to give loans/insure
properties in urban areas.
• “white flight”- white collar workers leaving.
Solutions:
5. Steps Towards Civil Rights
• “Committee on Civil
Rights” (1946)
• The Justice Department
began to support antisegregation lawsuits filed
by the NAACP.
• “Equality of Treatment”
Order to military (1948)
• The public began to
support desegregation in
professional sports.
1947 Report on Civil Rights
Jesse Owen
Joe Lewis
Jackie Robinson
6. Consumer and Baby Boom
• Marriage rates increased.
• The “Baby Boom”.
• Early 1940s =
average 2.9 mil. births
• Late 1940s =
average 3.5 mil. births
-Newspaper editorial
-Magazine advertisement
-Marquette High School
policy/rule book
The Great Boom (Post-WWII)
Which do you think was the greatest problem and why?
1.
Housing
shortage and
inflation.
2.
Cold War and
re-arming of
weapons.
3.
Racial
discrimination
4.
Labor union
unrest/strikes