Sectional Desertion: Big Cities After World War II

Honors U.S. History

Money

• GDP increased from 200 to 500 billion dollars• G.I. Bill – Low interest loans for vets to purchase

homes and/or attend college• Shortage of housing resulting from veterans

– Suburbs outside of major cities growing– Levittown

• Baby Boom – Explosion of birth rate– Public Schools– College– Social Security/Retirement

Levittown Original Documentary

Effects on Big Cities

• White Flight – Caucasian citizens leaving big cities after WWII– Cities were integrating before WWII– Big cities losing tax base

• Essential programs (education, police, etc) lose funding

– Urban Renewal Program attempts to provide funding for blighted areas