Final answer:
The post-World War II era in the U.S. brought economic prosperity and a consumer culture driven by mass production, technological advances, and increased higher education access. The expansion of the middle class and suburban growth characterized this period, as new financial options like credit allowed for greater consumer spending and socioeconomic mobility.
Step-by-step explanation:
Postwar Prosperity and Consumerism
According to Coontz, the post-World War II era in the United States was characterized by unprecedented prosperity that led to significant improvements in the standard of living and consumer satisfaction. The economically buoyant period saw a surge in the middle class, who enjoyed the benefits of well-paying jobs, union-negotiated benefits, and the ability to purchase a plethora of consumer goods, from automobiles to suburban homes. This economic boom was further aided by advances in mass production and technology, which made previously luxury items more affordable and accessible. The consumer culture that developed was marked by a preoccupation with material goods and the equating of such acquisitions with social and economic success.
During this time, access to higher education expanded dramatically, with enrollments increasing by 140 percent between 1940 and 1960, which in turn facilitated socioeconomic mobility. Suburban growth, supported by the mass production of homes and increased homeownership rates, reflected the new American lifestyle. Furthermore, new financial mechanisms, such as credit and installment plans, enabled a greater number of Americans to participate in the consumer market, leading to a considerable increase in Gross National Product (GNP) and overall national prosperity.