Final answer:
In the late 1940s, promotion and advancement were influenced by the postwar era's social and political changes but faced significant barriers due to systemic discrimination. Women and minorities often experienced limited career advancement opportunities due to gender and racial biases. Despite challenges, there were key cultural figures and measures like Truman's desegregation of the armed forces that began to initiate changes in the workplace.
Step-by-step explanation:
The practices of promotion and advancement in the late 1940s were influenced by various social and political changes following World War II. However, they were also hobbled by systemic discrimination and the prevailing attitudes towards women and minorities in the workplace. The expansion of democracy and the push for civil rights movements started to slowly reshape the promotional landscape. For instance, President Truman’s 1948 executive order began to dismantle segregation within the armed forces, setting a precedent for later reforms. Furthermore, the postwar economic boom created a surge in consumerism and led to the emergence of the middle class, which contributed to the need for a structural hierarchy in the workforce allowing for promotion and advancement, at least theoretically accessible to more individuals.
However, this era was riddled with challenges, especially for women and African Americans. For women, workplace advancement opportunities were limited, as they were frequently dismissed from their jobs due to life events like marriage or childbirth. Even the most talented women were often not considered for higher positions, as employers anticipated their careers would be interrupted by motherhood. Likewise, while the Double V Campaign highlighted African American veterans’ struggle for equality, their advancement in many civilian sectors was still stunted by racial discrimination, despite the progress being made.
The popular culture of the era also mirrored the complexities of promotion and advancement, with figures like Jackie Robinson breaking racial barriers in professional sports, which had a broader cultural impact beyond entertainment. Although there was a postwar shift toward meritocracy and growth, significant structural barriers continued to restrict the full realization and practice of promotion and advancement for everyone.