Back to Period 8: 1945–1980

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8.3 Economy after 1945

Part of Period 8: 1945–1980 in AP® US History. Read the opening section, then create a free account for the full interactive lesson, practice, and progress tracking.

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After World War II, the United States entered a golden age of prosperity. Wartime mobilization had modernized industry, and the demand for homes, cars, and consumer goods sustained unprecedented economic growth. From 1945 to 1973, productivity rose steadily, unemployment remained low, and the middle class expanded.

In this unit

13 lessons

  1. 8.1The Cold War from 1945 to 1980Preview lesson
  2. 8.2The Red ScarePreview lesson
  3. 8.3Economy after 1945This lesson
  4. 8.4Culture after 1945Preview lesson
  5. 8.5Early Steps in the Civil Rights Movement (1940s and 1950s)Open lesson
  6. 8.6America as a World PowerOpen lesson
  7. 8.7The Vietnam WarOpen lesson
  8. 8.8The Great SocietyOpen lesson
  9. 8.9The African American Civil Rights Movement (1960s)Open lesson
  10. 8.10The Expansion of the Civil Rights MovementOpen lesson
  11. 8.11Youth Culture of the 1960sOpen lesson
  12. 8.12The Environment and Natural Resources from 1968 to 1980Open lesson
  13. 8.13Society in TransitionOpen lesson

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