Primary Source Activity

https://www.nationalww2museum.org/students-teachers/student-resources/research-starters/research-starters-gi-bill

Use the link above to take you to the National World War II Museum's Website. Scroll about halfway down the page to the "Primary Source Documents" section.

Here you will find 4 Documents. Browse through the FIRST TWO of these documents and answer the questions below.

1. What is the official name of the law, nicknamed "GI Bill of Rights" or the "GI Bill"? What was its purpose?

2. Do you believe there was a need for such a law? Why or why not?

3. What is the purpose of the "Dear Mr. Veteran" pamphlet? Describe some of the items that this pamphlet addresses.

4. Why was the government putting price ceilings on products? Why don't you think this is done today?

5. In the descriptions of these documents on the WWII museum's website, there is information on the impact of these programs in each document's description. What were some of the outcomes?

6. Look up some information on the 1950's. What was the economy like? What was the "Baby Boom"? Do you think the programs we are discussing today impacted the life and economy of the 1950's?