The U.S. economy boomed after WWII. During the war we had not been able to buy most consumer items -- like cars, refrigerators, record players, and washing machines. The companies that had made those big items had manufactured things for the military. However, within a year or two after the war ended, companies began making consumer items again. I remember the new car (a big 1947 Studebaker) we bought to replace our 1937 Plymouth. We also bought a record player and a washing machine.
Gas and food rationing ended shortly after the war, too. Now we could buy butter and as much meat and gas as we wanted. We started taking more trips by car then.
Since I was only 11 when the war ended, I wasn't aware of too much scarcity, but I do know that we didn't have to buy white margarine any more.
How did the U.S. economy change after WWII ended, compared to what it had been like during the war? what Where people were able to have and do, and what might it have felt like after the scarcity of wartime.
5 answers
This is how I answered this question. Am I on the right track?
The economy was altered from a war time economy to a peace time economy. Taxes were lowered allowing for consumers to spend on wants instead of needs. Government buying went way down; because they no longer needed to purchase materiel for the war. Millions of men re-entered the workforce forcing many women back into the home after finally being accepted into the workforce. Also, the U.S. economy became even more international in scope. Because the U.S. was left as the only major manufacturing country that had not been badly damaged by the war, U.S. exports went up. World War II greatly improved our economy. Women got the taste of working outside the home, the stock market was on the uprising again. People were starting to make money and become prosperous. Finally marriage and motherhood came back as prosperity empowered couples who had postponed marriage.
The economy was altered from a war time economy to a peace time economy. Taxes were lowered allowing for consumers to spend on wants instead of needs. Government buying went way down; because they no longer needed to purchase materiel for the war. Millions of men re-entered the workforce forcing many women back into the home after finally being accepted into the workforce. Also, the U.S. economy became even more international in scope. Because the U.S. was left as the only major manufacturing country that had not been badly damaged by the war, U.S. exports went up. World War II greatly improved our economy. Women got the taste of working outside the home, the stock market was on the uprising again. People were starting to make money and become prosperous. Finally marriage and motherhood came back as prosperity empowered couples who had postponed marriage.
I'm not sure that the marriage rate went up. Many servicemen married during the war. However, there was a baby boom.
I suggest you also include some of the information I gave you about the availability of goods that hadn't been available during the war.
I suggest you also include some of the information I gave you about the availability of goods that hadn't been available during the war.
thank you for your help
You're welcome. :-)
0 answers