Post WWII Fears
...ument F). The nation was fearful of the national security because they wanted to make sure that any attacks on the home front would be overrun. Another step Eisenhower took to address the fears of Americans was the signing of the Highway Act, which opened up funds to construct a “40,000 mile network of existing roads which comprise our trunk line highways; it connects 209 of 237 cities having a population of 50,000 or more (Document D).” As you can see, the Highway Act was a massive project to undertake but would have great results in the end. The purpose of this act was to help connect cities/states but more importantly provide for a more efficient method to transport military supplies, soldiers, etc. around the nation. Therefore, Eisenhower did address the fears of the people well because through the Highway Act and increased military spending, he was able to ensure the people that any attack on the U.S. would be defeated and the people would remain safe. Another fear many Americans had was the loss of education. Many feared that they would not be given the opportunity to attend school which was essential in order to survive in modern society. Without an education, one could not obtain a decent job or pay as a result. The Servicemen’s Readjustment Act of 1944, also known as GI Bill of Rights, enrolled GIs into college by paying for their tuition and allowed them to house their wives and children in abandoned military barracks. As seen in Document C, GIs lived with their wife and baby in a small room. Although the housing was not luxurious and plentiful, it did meet the needs of the GIs and that is what matters. The baby boom in the 1950’s made many worry that there was a going to be a shortage of grade schools so the National Defense Education Act was passed as a result. Con...