Mr. Pettit
Modern America
THE ECONOMIC BOOM OF THE 1950’S
Thinking about the Cold War, WWII, and the Great Depression, answer the
following questions based on prior knowledge from the course.
1. With so many Americans returning home from WWII and the Korean War,
what fears might everyday Americans have about their jobs?
What fear might they have about living in a peacetime economy?
What fear might they have about their families and their future?
2. Now, re-examine pages 882-887. Contrary to many Americans’ fears, the
1950’s led to a stimulated economy and not a stagnated one. The following
key terms are the reasons why. Define each, and describe why they helped
people becoming less fearful, and more hopeful.
The G.I. Bill of Rights:
The Baby Boom:
Worker Productivity: