HIS-144-RS-America after WWII Worksheet

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Grand Canyon University *

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-144

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Arts Humanities

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May 7, 2024

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Name: Amber Sweatt HIS-144: America after World War II Directions: Each answer to the questions should be 100-200 words 1. Explain the G.I. Bill. In what ways does it change America? Towards the end of World War II, the Servicemen’s Readjustment Act of 1944 (G.I. Bill) was established. It provided WWII veterans with benefits to help them transition from war back to civilian life. The G.I Bill promised unemployment benefits in the form of a $20 weekly stipend for the year following the war, financial aid for those who wanted to go to a college or trade school, low-interest housing loans, and medical care. These benefits allowed veterans who were part of the working class to afford things like college and houses which were previously only available for the wealthy. The G.I. Bill allowed thousands of veterans to enter a new class, referred to as the middle class. The low-interest house loans caused a large portion of veterans to move from the city into suburbia. There was also a spike of veterans in college/ trade schools with 49% of students being veterans. Unfortunately, these benefits were not always afforded to women, black, and other veterans of color. Those in these communities would not always receive their benefits or would receive less desirable versions such as lower housing loan amounts and limited housing or college options (Turner & Turner, 2002). 2. Why is the automobile so important to post war America? Although some families did have a car before World War II, many families still relied on trains to commute from place to place. With the introduction of the G.I. Bill several veterans found themselves transitioning from the city to suburban towns. These suburban towns were more spread out than the city, thus, began a need for more accessible transportation. There was now a level of freedom that came with owning a family car. Traveling back and forth to work, trips to the market, and family entertainment were now easily accessible to the average family. In 1956, the interstate highway was created allowing travel to be even more accessible. The average family could now travel and vacation around the country just for fun. The increased car sales were great for the American economy also. With many men coming back from the war, factories became an easy go to for income (Pelfrey, 2006). 3. Describe gendered spheres in American society during WWII and how they changed after the war. How did women’s roles change? 1
Prior to World War II, men were considered public figures working outside of the home while most women were private figures working as homemakers. Around 5% of women did work outside of the home, but typically worked in roles such as secretaries or receptionists. When the war began men left by the millions leaving behind the women to pick up the pieces of the nation. While these mourned the physical loss of their fathers, husbands, brothers, uncles, and sons; their position as a private figure began to shift into that of a public one. Many women began working on farms, in factories, and volunteering for war-related organizations as well as maintaining their households. A new heroic figure made an entrance, Rosie the Riveter. From housewife to war hero, during WWII many women could relate to Rosie. Roughly 350,000 women adorned themselves in the military uniform and fought alongside their male counterparts. Following the war, several women wanted to remain in their public position working outside of the home; however, men quickly took back their role as the public figures. Although, there were several women who continued to work jobs outside of their home, typically lower paying jobs, many returned to their role as homemakers. Women’s efforts during WWII proved to the nation that women could work and managing the jobs that were historically considered men’s jobs. After carrying the load of both the private and public spheres during the war, women were unsatisfied with being put back into their role as homemakers. They pursued higher education and fought for more rights and a more prominent role in the post war society (Goldin, 1989). 4. What was the role of religion in post-World War II American society? After experiencing the tragedy of the war, many Americans were ready to settle down and find a sense of normality in life. War is a traumatic event for all of those involved, and World War II was no exception. Following the war, there was a significant rise in births, often referred to as the baby boom. These new families used the benefits of the G.I. Bill to move to the suburbs and raise their families. Church pews were filled with people healing from the effects of the war. There was also a spike in diversity within religious spaces. Many people of color began to develop their own religious communities. Religious communities/ churches were used as a way to build community and boost morale for the American nation (Beckman, 2000). 2
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