Social Studies Praxis Practice Test

Which of the following were effects of the GI Bill on the United States after the Second World War?

1. The growth of suburbia

2. Decreased wages for the working class

3. Higher levels of education

4. Increased racial segregation

The correct answer is: The growth of suburbia

The GI Bill, officially known as the Servicemen's Readjustment Act of 1944, had a profound impact on American society following World War II, particularly in promoting the growth of suburbia. This legislation provided returning veterans with access to various benefits, including low-interest home loans, financial assistance for education, and unemployment compensation. The availability of affordable housing loans effectively enabled many veterans and their families to purchase homes outside urban centers, leading to the expansion of suburban areas. This migration contributed to the suburbanization trend that characterized post-war America, creating communities that catered to the middle-class lifestyle. Suburbs often featured single-family homes, schools, and shopping districts, which aligned with the American ideal of a prosperous and stable family life. The other options, while they represent significant aspects of post-war America, do not align as directly with the specific effects of the GI Bill as the growth of suburbia does. For example, while the GI Bill did lead to higher levels of education for many veterans, the direct connection to suburban growth stands out as a defining transformation in the American landscape during that period.