In this essay, I am going to show why war was a wealthy time for America during the years of 1945 - 63.

        People now had jobs, both male and female. Six million women entered factories engaged in war production, learned, and used the skills that had previously been male occupations. As millions of men joined armed forces in 1941, more worked were now employed to fill these spaces. More growth in the economy was in 1942, when car makers started to produce munitions. Eisenhower was a popular American General and a war hero. He led the allies to victory in World War 2.

This chart shows the average wages of factory workers during the years 1939 until 1959.

As people became more affluent, many of them moved to new homes in well planned and self contained suburban communities. Cars, televisions, fridges, washing machines and other countless gadgets came to be considered necessary. People were able to buy a television, yet without paying the full price in one amount sum. Citizens were now able to buy an item, and pay for it long term. This means that, they could buy a new television for $500, and pay for it over 5 years, paying $10 per month. This would have made profit for the shop they purchased the item from; however, they wouldn’t have to pat for the item in 1. This became very popular and was known as Hire Purchase. Here is a chart to show percentages increase of such items listed above.

        The government did much to encourage the economy to grow. They cut taxes on businesses and wealthy individuals. They ended controls on wages and prices. Businesses were set free from government controls, which stimulated economic growth. They also gave out loans and mortgages to help people buy their own homes.

        Post war ‘baby boom’ spurred a move to the suburbs. Other changes in lifestyle were encouraged by advertising, especially the new medium of television. During the 1950s 19 million people moved form central cities to suburbs, a 46 percent increase in the population of ‘suburbia’.

        Therefore, I can conclude why America’s wealth grew from 1945 - 63. The main reason for this was World War 2. The war brought and end to the Great Depression. This meant that every person who wished for a job could now have one. America was producing over half of the world’s goods causing a big ‘boom’ in the economy. New businesses were created and old ones now had spaces to employ new workers. Farmers were guaranteed market in feeding the armed forces as good weather ensured crops. Teenagers had more money to spend on themselves than parents ever had during the Great Depression. Both male and female had jobs, female working in factories replacing the men out at war. President Eisenhower did much to encourage economy to grow: cutting taxes on businesses and wealthy individuals. The government gave out loans and mortgages to help people buy their own home.