APUSH Unit 8.4

Overview of Post-1945 US Economy and Migration Patterns

Introduction

  • Explain causes of economic growth post-World War II.

  • Explain causes and effects of migration among various American groups after 1945.

Economic Growth After World War II

  • The economic environment in the 1950s was characterized by significant growth and optimism.

    • Increased productivity from wartime efforts.

    • Productivity spikes originated from the manufacturing and technological advancements during World War II.

    • Major federal spending on infrastructure, especially:

    • Interstate Highway System: Critical for national transportation and economic growth.

Servicemen's Readjustment Act of 1944 (GI Bill)

  • Provided veterans with opportunities to:

    • Attend college with government funding.

    • Access low-interest loans for purchasing homes and starting businesses.

  • The GI Bill significantly contributed to economic expansion and increased homeownership among veterans.

Baby Boom (1945-1960)

  • Population growth of over 50 million individuals during this period, known as the Baby Boom.

Increased Demand for Housing Construction

  • Surge in new families led to high demand for housing:

    • Suburban housing development became a significant priority.

  • Suburbanization driven by:

    • Availability of the automobile and increased roadway construction.

    • Trends in living preferences among the middle class, primarily white families.

  • Migration patterns reflected socioeconomic dynamics, with minorities and lower-income individuals often remaining in urban areas after middle-class families relocated to suburbs.

Suburbanization Phenomenon

  • Massive growth of suburban neighborhoods during the 1950s, marked by:

    • Levittown: Iconic suburban community constructed by William J. Levitt.

    • Featured large tracts of land near major cities with low-cost, mass-produced homes.

    • Homes arranged in identical lots, criticized for being monotonous but met housing demand effectively.

  • Interstate Highway Act (1956): Established fast-moving highways facilitating commuting from suburbs to cities.

    • Increased accessibility contributed to the mass migration trend to suburban areas.

Migration to the Sun Belt

  • Additional migration patterns toward the Sun Belt states in the South and West due to:

    • Discontent with cold winters in northern states.

    • The newly established highway systems simplifying interstate travel.

  • Predominantly included:

    • Veterans and their families seeking employment in the defense industry.

    • Economic shifts prompted by federal defense spending redirected to the Sun Belt, stimulating local economies.

Political Shifts

  • The movement of people to the Sun Belt resulted in:

    • A shift of political power from the Northeast and Midwest toward the South and West, reflecting the demographic changes in population and economic focus.