1940-1950s: Post-WWII America

Image Source - Resisting HUAC – A Grassroots Success Story

Summary in Three

Economic Transformation and Global Leadership: Understanding post-WWII America in the 1940s-1950s is crucial for comprehending the nation's economic transformation and emergence as a global leader. The post-war period witnessed the United States becoming an industrial powerhouse, experiencing economic prosperity, and playing a central role in the reconstruction of war-torn nations through initiatives like the Marshall Plan.
Cold War Dynamics and Domestic Changes: Examining the 1940s-1950s is essential for understanding the Cold War dynamics that shaped U.S. foreign policy and influenced domestic changes. The era was marked by the ideological struggle with the Soviet Union, leading to the arms race, containment policies, and domestic responses such as the Red Scare, McCarthyism, and the growth of anti-communist sentiments.
Social and Cultural Shifts: Exploring post-WWII America provides insights into the social and cultural shifts that occurred during this transformative period. The rise of suburbia, the baby boom, and the changing roles of women in the workforce contribute to a nuanced understanding of the evolving American identity. Additionally, the Civil Rights Movement gained momentum, challenging racial segregation and laying the groundwork for broader movements advocating for equality and justice.

1940s-1950s:
Post-World War II America

Primary Skill
Multiple Perspectives

Compelling Question
What was it like to live in America during the 1940s and 1950s?

Supporting Questions
How did Cold War tensions affect American society on the national and global levels?
How did prosperity change the way people live in post-war US?
How did inequality foster action by marginalized groups?

Learning Targets/Standards
I can analyze how the events and ideologies of the Cold War shaped US domestic and foreign policy. (HS.H3.2)
I can explain how post-war prosperity shaped American culture? (HS.E4.4)
I can examine how various social movements actively addressed inequality. (HS.H4.1/HS.H4.4)
I can articulate the perspectives of those in the 1950s struggling for equality. (HS.SP2.3)

Essential Lessons
1940s-1950s: Post-World War II America
Introduction Notes (click me)

Post-WWII America Overview Videos

Essential Lessons will help you with specific information about the impacts of Post-World War II American Relations.
We are engaging in this complex thinking of connecting different topics to show our deeper understandings.

Checklist (7 Lessons)
Introduction Notes
Podcast: Harm, Punishment and Abolition with Mariam Kaba
Mixer - Subversives: Stories from the Red Scare
Student Discourse: Stories from the Red Scare
Common Formative: Brown v. Board of Education (1954)
Absence of Justice: The Murder of Emmett Till (1955)
Film Study: 13th

Growing Our Vocabulary

Directions: These words need to be added to your personal glossary with definitions.
These words will be incorporated into your lessons so that you have the context around how these words.

containment
baby boom
suburbanization
brinkmanship
McCarthyism/Red Scare

desegregation
ideologies
affluent
proxy war

cold war/hot war
Domino Theory
HUAC (House Un-American Activities Committee)

Add words that you came across throughout these Essential Lessons that you learned and add them to your glossary.
A good goal would be to identify and add 2-3 words on your own for each Unit.

Podcast: Harm, Punishment, and Abolition with Mariame Kaba

Mixer:
Subversives of the Red Scare

Student Discourse:
Stories from the Red Scare

Common Formative:
Brown v. Board of Edu. (1954)

Absence of Justice:
The Murder of Emmett Till (1955)

Film Study:
13th

So much more happening...

These may be articles/videos/podcasts about our topics and there may or may not be specific instructions to do something with them other than read/watch/listen and see how it can add meaning to your understanding.

If the link to your lesson goes directly to a video, article, podcast, your GUIDED NOTES are writing down 5 things you learned from engaging with that source.