America's Post World War II Economy

Paper Summary:

The paper shows that the huge amounts of government spending and the ensuing deficit created by the needs of a two-front military effort, as well as supplying on-going domestic consumption, spurred real production in post World War II America and created sudden economic prosperity, ending the depression. The paper explores the reasons behind the growth of the Gross National Product, the increase in industry and the shift in habits of the workforce. The paper also shows how the development of technology in the 1960s contributed to this economic growth.

From the Paper:

"The role of status began to play a role, as it was increasingly felt that white-collar jobs were more socially "upscale" than traditional blue collar, or manufacturing jobs. Factory work with lower class or "working class" connotations became less attractive to many people than the corporate environment. (Smithsonian Institution website). The postwar baby boom caused an increase in population leading to the migration of families to the suburbs; as the suburbs grew, business moved into new areas. Shopping centers grew and expanded, changing retail distribution to match changing consumer patters and growing discretionary income. Distribution and expansion were facilitated by the highways providing better access to new communities; the Highway Act of 1956 provided $26 billion USD to build highways to link all parts of the country. (State Department.)"

More papers on America's Post World War II Economy:

• Essay # 57793 : "The Economy of the Post-World War II Era"
• Comparison Essay # 23715 : "U.S. Economy and World War II"
• Term Paper # 9351 : "Post War Effects of World War Two"

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