More handpicked essays just for you.
Effects of World War II on the economy of the United States
World War II effects on America
How World War II affected the economy in America
Don’t take our word for it - see why 10 million students trust us with their essay needs.
Immediately following World War II was a somewhat uncertain time due to the service men and women returning from the war creating a job shortage for those that were filling in during their absence (Schultz, 2013). This caused increased activity with the labor union, which in turn create debate among Republicans and Democrats over how involved the government should be in ending labor union strikes. However, due to veteran benefits and higher wages, by 1947 the economy would be trending upward again(Schultz, 2013). With everyone having discretionary money, the sales of televisions and automobiles became commonplace. Furthermore, with Americans new found ability to travel, suburbs sprouted up just outside every city. All of the new government
In the late nineteenth century known as the Gilded Age (or the Reconstruction period) and the early twentieth century known as the Progressive era, the nation went through great economic growth and social change. Beginning in the 1870s, there was rapid growth in innovations and big businesses. This could be because there was population growth and when there is population growth, there is a high demand for products and other necessities in order to strive in society. Many immigrants from Europe, mostly from the eastern and southern Europe, and Asia moved to American cities. Additionally, farmers from rural America desired to increase economic growth and since corporations ruled and political problems occurred, they decided to move into the cities.
The American culture developed and modernized dynamically after the Civil War up until the 1920s. It had a large population growth due from incoming immigrants from European nations. American citizens moved from their rural homesteads to live in the booming cities. According to The Historical Archive, “City populations exploded during this time. In fact, during this fifty year period, the nation’s city dwelling population increased from less than ten million to more than fifty million people – a remarkable 500%” (Administrator). The city lifestyle allowed American civilians to have their job wages increased as well as afford more leisure time within their daily schedules. City-dwelling Americans sought to make the most of their newly founded free-time by touring the country, taking vacations or attending inexpensive amusements such as the cinema or theater (Administrator).
Generally, the claims by the union are more persuasive than the counterclaims that were made by the company. This is because the union had credible arguments relating to the actual difficulties that the people were experiencing. For instance, the Union charged those who targeted the company through inappropriate labor approaches.
In the mid-nineteenth century, industrial America witnessed an evolving struggle between labor and big business. Although fiercely opposed by industrialists, rising labor movements in the steel and iron industries, which had become increasingly critical to the U.S.’ modernization and emergence as a world power, experienced initial success for decades up until the early 1890s. The strongest union in the industries, the Amalgamated of Iron and Steel Workers (AAIS) was able to garner support from an increasing membership and national recognition from other labor organizations as well as from the press, and in 1892, rose to meet the challenge of the powerful Carnegie Steel Company.
The 1950s seemed like a perfect decade. The rise of suburbs outside cities led to an expansion of the middle class, thus allowing more Americans to enjoy the luxuries of life. The rise of these suburbs also allowed the middle class to buy houses with land that used to only be owned by more wealthy inhabitants. Towns like Levittown-one of the first suburbs- were divided in such a way that every house looked the same (“Family Structures”). Any imperfections were looked upon as unfavorable to the community as a whole. Due to these values, people today think of the 1950s as a clean cut and model decade. This is a simplistic perception because underneath the surface, events that took place outside the United States actually had a direct effect on our own country’s history. The rise of Communism in Russia struck fear into the hearts of the American people because it seemed to challenge their supposedly superior way of life.
History Of the Labor Movement in the United States This is a brief history of the labor movement in the United States from the late eighteen hundreds to the present. In 1881 a movement toward organized labor was beginning to be inforced. A group of people from a few trades and industries such as carpenters, cigar- makers, the printers, merchants, and the steel workers met and formed The Federation of Organized Trades And Labor Unions. Although it had little power, the organization was defanantly and the side as the workers. It stated that a eight hour work day was considered a full day and asked that all affiliated unions include this as part of there law by May 1, 1886.
On the heels of war, new technology caused a decrease in prices of goods in the 1920’s and in the 1950’s the GI Bill increased income. The bureaucratization of business in the 1920’s meant that more people could be employed in higher paying white-collar jobs than before, including, for the first time, housewives. This new income combined with the reduced prices for goods that resulted from mechanized production, assembly lines and a general decrease of the cost of technology created a thriving consumerist middle class that went on to fuel the economy in all sectors, especially the upper classes. Likewise, during World War II Americans saved up around 150 billion dollars, and this sum combined with the income of the GI Bill allowed normal people to buy expensive things, from houses to cars to electronics to educations at a rapid rate, fueling the trademark prosperity of the 1950’s. The new automobile culture of the 50’s spawned new businesses that catered to mobile Americans, such as nicer and more standardized hotels like Holiday Inn, and drive-up restaurants like McDonalds. Just as the culture of the 1920’s was transfo...
The Strike of 1934 On May 9th 1934 a organized labor strike started in San Francisco that would snowball into a city crippling strike. The International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) declared a strike for all longshoremen on the west coast, until they received better wages, a union-administered hiring hall, and union membership as a prerequisite for employed longshoremen. The Strike of 1934 lasted for three months, stopping maritime trade in the ports of the Western United States, from San Diego to Seattle. The clash was between the Industrial Association (IA), composed of big business and employers wanting to break the strike, and the ILA, along with other unions that dealt with maritime trades.
...s became even more desperate at the time of the great depression that ultimately led to the great railway strike, in which many workers lost their lives at the hand of the Pennsylvania militia. This act proved to be a major turning point in the evolution of the labor movement in the United States.
The huge government demand for increased production meant an increased demand for workers. Businesses wanted to hire any qualified worker willing to work. Unions wanted only union workers to work in jobs that had been union jobs. This disagreement eventually led to federal involvement in settling labor disputes. By 1943, labor was dominated by the centralized control of the unions, union membership climbing from 8.5 million in 1940 to over 14.7 million by 1943 (525).
George Pullman was not always believed to be a cruel boss. George Pullman started off believing that anyone could be successful if they worked hard enough. But as his business grew, he took this belief too far, furthering his own company by working his employees hard, treating his employees like slaves. There were many factors included in how the Pullman strike started. George Pullman and the company’s treatment of employees, how the town of Pullman, Illinois reacted to their treatment, other strikes that led up to the Pullman employee unhappiness and their reaction, the Pullman Strike.
The labor union movement over the years has shaped the way individuals work and live for both the nicest and unpleasant. Some would think the unions influence has created a power struggle between management and union leaders. In today’s time, some citizens insist the existence of unions are a must to aid in employee freedom, while others view the labor unions as just another problem in the line of progress. The purpose of labor unions was for employed workers to come together and collectively agree on fundamental workplace objectives. The rise of the union came about after the Civil War- responding to the industrial economy. Surprisingly at the least unions became popular within the 1930-50’s and began to slowly decrease, starting in the 1960’s on to today. Although, the popularity of labor unions has decreased, its importance remains to be evident with politics, journalism, auto, and the public education industries. The objective of this paper is to shine light upon labor unions, taking a closer look at the disputed issues of union ethics, concerns of union diversity, and the opposing viewpoints of labor unions.
The miners’ strike of 1984-1985 was one the most acrimonious industrial disputes Britain has ever seen. On March 6th the National Coal Board (NCB) announced its intention to close 20 coal pits resulting in the loss of 20,000 jobs, revealing as well the plan to in the long-term close over 70 pits. A yearlong strike followed which saw a time of Mass walk-outs, poverty and violence as mining communities all over the country fought to maintain their employment. Ultimately the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) was defeated and the Strike ended on 3rd March 1985 following a NUM vote to return to work. Therefore in this essay I will analyse the strategic plans of both the British Government and the NUM, ultimately providing a judgement as to why the NUM and the miners’ strike failed to achieve its desired goal.
After the world war, to the suburban growth in the 1990s and it affects American greatly because it contributed to the economy growth of United State after the Second World War, some state in U.S like Texas New York, and Pennsylvania became the most famous cities in the united State in 1950s. American started to buy land in the country of the cities, to build a house that is cheap, and people were able to buy subsides low mortgages than renting an expensive apartment in the city.
Employees and the Right to Strike. There are many arguments about whether or not employees should have the right to industrial action. I have looked at many different sources and have brought my research together into this essay. A reason supporting the point that workers should be allowed to strike. is so they can fight against poor safety conditions.