HIS-144-RS-America after WWII Worksheet

.docx

School

Grand Canyon University *

*We aren’t endorsed by this school

Course

144

Subject

Arts Humanities

Date

Apr 3, 2024

Type

docx

Pages

3

Uploaded by MagistrateJayPerson99 on coursehero.com

Name: Sarah Smith _________________________ HIS-144: America after World War II Directions: Using resources from the Topic 5 Readings, including your textbook, materials provided by your instructor through class discussion, and materials from the GCU Library Guide for HIS-144 US History Themes, respond to the prompts below. Each answer to the questions should be 100-200 words While APA style is not required for the body of this assignment, solid academic writing is expected, and documentation of sources should be presented using APA formatting guidelines, which can be found in the APA Style Guide, located in the Student Success Center. Proof of research is needed for each answer. Wikipedia, Ask.com, ehow.com and other online information sites, encyclopedias, or dictionaries are not considered university academic sources and are NOT TO BE USED . 1. Explain the G.I. Bill. In what ways does it change America? In 1944, the Servicemen Readjustment Act, known as the G.I. Bill, was enacted to provide aid to veterans after their service in World War II. This bill continues to offer returning opportunities to veterans who have served their country. The G.I. Bill was a crucial assistance to servicemen who faced difficulties adjusting to civilian life due to their lack of experience with daily jobs. It provided veterans with the opportunity to earn a college education, money, low-interest loans, and mortgages. The government aimed to show appreciation for their service to the nation and helped them transition to civilian life The low-interest loans enabled numerous people to move from the city to a more suburban lifestyle. Additionally, the bill provided a $20 weekly unemployment benefit for 123 months to veterans who were searching for jobs. Although the G.I. Bill was successful in many ways, it also caused some difficulties. With so many veterans returning to civilian life and looking for work, many people could not make ends meet, even with the help of government programs (Onion et al., 2019). The G.I. Bill paved the way for higher education for the middle working class, which also helped shape America's socioeconomic and political landscapes in the future (Onion et al., 2019). It brought significant changes to the American society and helped to raise the standard of living for many people. The G.I. Bill remains an essential part of American history and continues to benefit veterans even today. 2. Why is the automobile so important to post war America? The quick resumption of civilian production provided direct and indirect employment to millions of workers, stimulating activity in numerous subordinate lines. It also accelerated the transition from war to peace by boosting the automobile industry and causing an economic revolution across the United States. This growth in the automobile industry led to the construction of 1
highways, which created thousands of job opportunities for people in need of work (U.S. History, n.d.). Gas stations also began to pop up across the country, providing not only fuel but also employment opportunities for mechanics. Steel and oil industries received serious boosts due to the high demand for automobiles (U.S. History, n.d.). Overnight motels and diners also saw a rise in business, particularly along highways, due to the increased travel. The post-war era saw automobiles become an essential item in America, allowing citizens to travel freely and experience family vacations whenever they desired. However, there were downsides, including traffic congestion and an increase in car accidents and fatalities, which led to the implementation of safety classes and licensing requirements. Despite these challenges, automobiles played a crucial role in improving the economy and providing new job opportunities for millions of Americans. 3. Describe gendered spheres in American society during WWII and how they changed after the war. How did women’s roles change? Prior to World War II, gender roles in American society were clearly defined. Men were expected to work outside of the home and provide for their families, while women were expected to stay at home and take care of household chores. However, during WWII, many women were needed to fill in new roles in factory jobs that were previously reserved only for men. This opened up new opportunities for women to work in the industry and prove their capabilities in the workforce (National WW2 Museum, n.d.). Although the end of the war brought a return to many traditional gender roles, the changes that had taken place during the war could not be undone. Women had shown that they were capable of working outside of the home and contributing to society in meaningful ways. This paved the way for the feminist movement of the 1960s and 70s, which challenged traditional gender roles and fought for greater equality between men and women. 4. What was the role of religion in post-World War II American society? Religion remained an integral part of American society after World War II. However, there was a gradual diversification in the religious landscape. In the 1960s, there was a turning point for religion in America, with Catholicism and Judaism emerging as significant religions, alongside Christianity (Beckman, n.d.). The war had initially halted the progress of religion, but afterward, many people felt the need to incorporate it back into their daily lives. Thus, religious membership, church funding, institutional building, and traditional faith and practice all increased in the 1950s. By mid-century, Christianity in America appeared to be thriving. The growth was further fueled by a booming economy and a significant baby boom (Beckman, n.d.). 2
Your preview ends here
Eager to read complete document? Join bartleby learn and gain access to the full version
  • Access to all documents
  • Unlimited textbook solutions
  • 24/7 expert homework help