America Post World War II
Following World War II many outcomes resulted from key components which would steer the nation in a path of improvements that would better the society as a unit. The end of World War II brought various changes that made for adaptation of the United States of America. Most of these changes led to benefits and bettering society and its people, while others had adverse effects. Numerous policies, programs, and movements that were created post-war transformed American society. The purpose of the essay is to discuss important topics like suburbanization, the GI Bill, racial experiences, the automobile, the effects of consumerism on society and gender spheres, and youth culture that led to the transformation of American society after World War II.
Suburbanization
Following the war, one of the initial changes was suburbanization. Suburbanization is a movement that involves mass migration, usually a shift from busy urban areas to rural suburbs, where numerous families move out of inner cities (Nicolaides & Wiese, 2017). This shift from urban areas to the suburbs was a result of the demobilization of individuals who were in service returning from the war, along with the number of communities that were being developed through mass production (Nicolaides & Wiese, 2017). The development of communities and cities became a trend, and this led to a decrease in population in central cities and an increase in population in the suburbs (Nicolaides & Wiese, 2017). Economically, the development of the suburban areas brought in money because of the new businesses, shopping complexes, stores, etc., that followed suit (Nicolaides & Wiese, 2017). Many people in society viewed the suburbs as the American dream, which brought about migration and immigration. Urbanization was a starting point for other changes that were brought about as a result of post-war initiatives, which were the creation of the automobile, highways, and consumerism (Nicolaides & Wiese, 2017).
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GI Bill
Another major change that helped to produce a new and improved American society is known as the GI Bill of Rights. This is a government-issued program that was brought about following World War II to help veterans since a large number of soldiers and service workers found it very difficult to reenter the workforce after their return from the war (Edmondson, 2002). This new bill helped to establish veteran hospitals, made low-interest mortgages available, and granted stipends that would help to cover the cost of tuition and other expenses for veterans who wished to attend college or trade schools (Edmondson, 2002). It also granted unemployment through its unemployment compensation program (Edmondson, 2002). Later, there were modifications that the GI Bill underwent that would help to distinguish between active duty soldiers and reserve veterans. It continues to receive changes, but initially, the bill started post-World War II in hopes of securing the lives of many veterans as they returned home while also boosting American morals.
Automobiles
Since suburbanization was so popular, the need for an automobile became apparent. Living in the suburbs or even moving to the suburbs was easier for those who had a vehicle that could get them to their destination at any time wherever they needed to go. After World War II, the auto industry, automobiles, and roads all came together, which made advancements towards urbanization. Even though the use of automobiles picked up after World War II, in the beginning amid the Great Depression, the shortage of materials and not having enough individuals in the workforce led to the slow production of cars. Once the war ended and soldiers along with their families began to migrate outward production in the auto industry began booming. Creations like the Interstate Highway System produced usage of the automobile more than ever since it helped with traveling and getting people to any destination, they wished, within the range that it enabled them to get.
Gender Spheres, Racial Experiences, and Youth Culture
Gender spheres, racial experiences, and youth culture all were affected after the war. For example, before the war happened women would be stay-at-home moms and solely care for their children while their husbands went to work to provide financially for their families, but once the men went away to join the war effort women had to begin working in factories and finding other jobs to bring in money and be able to provide a home and food on the table for their kids. These factories were how materials needed for the war were produced, and mostly minority groups and lower socioeconomic class women worked in these factories. Upper-class women usually remained at home. There were instances where at times women would help to serve in the war effort, for six months, as nurses to help nurse the wounded back to good health or to give men a break. After the war, women were asked to quit their jobs and go back to being stay-at-home moms, but they refused and were resistant because they became independent and liked it (Howard, 2016). Most of these women were eventually fired, so that men returning home from war would have jobs available to them (Howard, 2016).
After the war, individuals from various minority groups like African American, Hispanic, and Native Americans, were still not granted their rights. They were the sole targets for being discriminated against for employment and being able to own property. African Americans who left for the war returned home to foreclosure notices, Chinese Americans were denied citizenship and couldn’t find work, Japanese Americans had their wealth stripped from them during the war, and were sent to internment camps, and Mexican Americans were given very little work opportunities.
Family and the idea of a stable and close-knit family unit declined after the war, introducing youth cultures. The youth became reckless and dangerous because of the lessened idea of unity. The use of new drugs, music, clothing, makeup, etc., was presented through adolescents, and it was described as being juvenile behavior because these new components were used to rebel and there were no strict rules or organization given by the parents and other adults.
References
- Edmondson, E. (2002). Without comment or controversy: The G.I. Bill and Catholic colleges. Church History, 71, 820-847
- Howard, A. (2016). Women in the Services - The Changing Roles of Women in World War II. Agora, 51(4), 50.
- Nicolaides, B., & Wiese, A. (2017). Suburbanization in the United States after 1945. Oxford Research Encyclopedia of American History.
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