The twentieth-century world, Year 10: the Second World War, post-war prosperity and McCarthyism (America 1920–1973 option)

The USA supplied war goods to Britain and other allies without immediate payment

提示America was still officially neutral at the time.

为什么The Act let the President lend or lease war supplies to any nation judged vital to US defence. Aid went first to Britain, and later to many other Allies.

It fell sharply, as war production needed workers

提示Factories ran day and night.

为什么Wartime demand for weapons, food, fuel and raw materials boosted many parts of the economy, not only arms factories.

Rosie the Riveter

提示A first name, then her trade.

为什么Millions of women took war jobs, but they were often paid less than men.

Racial discrimination in defence industries and government jobs

提示A. Philip Randolph's planned march on Washington helped to force it.

为什么It created the Fair Employment Practices Committee to enforce the new policy, but Black Americans still faced discrimination, and the armed forces stayed segregated.

Victory over fascism abroad and over racism at home

提示Fighting two enemies, one overseas and one in their own country.

为什么African Americans joined the armed forces but served in segregated units.

The belief that anyone could succeed and prosper through hard work

提示Success was said to be open to all, whatever their background.

为什么Incomes rose and many families bought homes, cars and televisions, helped by the GI Bill.

It paid for education and training and helped with loans for homes and businesses

提示It was meant to ease the return to civilian life.

为什么Millions of veterans used its benefits, helping to drive the post-war growth of colleges and suburbs.

McCarthyism

提示It is named after a senator from Wisconsin.

为什么McCarthy rose to fame in February 1950 when he claimed in a speech at Wheeling, West Virginia, to have a list of communists in the State Department. The number he gave soon varied.

The Army-McCarthy hearings

提示Live coverage let viewers see him at work.

为什么As the public watched him, support for his crusade began to fade, and in December 1954 the Senate voted to censure him.

Rock and roll

提示Many parents thought it a bad influence.

为什么Many adults criticised teenage culture, yet it helped to create a new 'teenage' identity in the 1950s.