ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

History of the United States (1945–1964)

The United States is a country that has been around for a long time, since 1776. From 1945 to 1964, many important and interesting things happened.

In 1945, World War 2 ended. The US was one of the countries that helped stop the war, along with other countries like the Soviet Union and the United Kingdom. The US also developed and used the atomic bomb to help end the war.

After the war, people in the US could start to live in peacetime again. In 1948, the US adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. This document stated basic rights that everyone should have, like the right to life and freedom.

From 1945 to 1964, the US also had a booming economy. This era was known as the "Baby Boomer" era, because there was an explosive growth in population. This growth was made possible by the new way people were living. People were earning more money and had more free time, so they could afford more things. This made it easier for families to have more children, which is why the population grew so quickly.

The US also developed new technology during this period. In 1947, the first computer was invented. This made it much easier for people to do calculations and tasks that were formerly done by hand.

In the 1950s, railroads and highways made it easier to travel across the country. Families could take road trips, and corporations could ship goods to stores much quicker. All of this helped contribute to the economy.

During the 1960s, the US experienced a lot of social changes. Many people started to become more politically active, and civil rights groups such as the NAACP and SNCC fought for racial equality and justice. In 1964, the Civil Rights Act was passed, which banned racial discrimination in the workplace and public areas.

At the same time, the Space Race was happening. The US and Soviet Union were competing to explore space and eventually have a man on the moon. The US achieved this goal in 1969, when the Apollo 11 mission sent astronauts Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin to the moon.

Between 1945 and 1964, the US changed a lot, and experienced many important events. Technology advanced, people gained more rights, people had more opportunity to travel, and the economy was strong. This period of time shaped the US into what it is today.