Postwar Boom

The resources and questions discussed in this lesson plan allow students to delve into the cultural and social impacts of various marginalized groups on significant time periods introduced throughout US History and World History.

            The Post-War Boom was a time of great prosperity, yet that prosperity was not evenly divided. Many marginalized groups did not see much change in their paychecks, how they were treated, or in their poor living conditions. Systemic racism and widespread discrimination increased the wage gap between white and non-white people. Showcasing POC voices helped to elucidate and break down the systemic financial inequalities in the past and present. Furthermore, POC voices brought light to their cultural contributions during the Post-War Boom in the U.S. and their experiences fighting and aiding America, despite going predominantly unrecognized. For example, Hispanics, African-Americans, and Asian Americans all saw themselves locked out of high-paying, high-skilled jobs they were qualified for, making labor unions between POC Americans and white Americans more challenging due to huge pay and wealth gaps. This was even more harrowing as veterans from these groups were denied the benefits promised by the G.I. bill for their service. Furthermore, events like the Lavender Scare meant that even queer people were considered enemies post-WW2 America. Amidst their struggles, several collections and sources during the Postwar Boom show minority voices and the difficulties and hardships they faced in a prosperous yet discriminatory America. 

Review Sources:

Post-war Economic Boom and Racial Discrimination (1945-1950) 

World War II and Post War (1940–1949) - The Civil Rights Act of 1964: A Long Struggle for Freedom 

Returning From War, Returning to Racism 

The Ways of Life of Asian Americans Post-World War II

The Malleable Yet Undying Nature of the Yellow Peril 

Latinos in the United States Military: World War II 

Bittersweet Harvest: The Bracero Program 1942-1964 Exhibition — Calisphere 

The Lavender Scare: Gay and Lesbian Life in Post-WWII America 

Review Questions:

1.  Why were POC veterans not able to receive the benefits promised to them through the G.I. bill and their service? What actions would they take that would rectify this?

2.  How did World War II impact perceptions of AAPI living in the US? Why would this impact their life post-WW2 amidst the financial boom?

3.  Was there intersectionality between African-American and Hispanic veterans who had been mistreated? 

4.  Are intersectionality and associated movements a common theme in history? If so, name another intersectional movement from another time period. 

5.  Why would queer people be targeted in the military and past WW2 in the boom period? 

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