The Beginnings of the Rust Belt Erie and Meadville, Pennsylvania, 1945-1960

Abstract

George Donelson Moss describes World War II as “a watershed from which emerged the dominant patterns of postwar life.” According to Moss, “a unified, proud, and powerful nation emerged victoriously from the war,” confident that they could solve both worldwide problems and those within the nation’s borders.” One domestic problem revolved around the economy. America had gone to war still suffering from the effects of the Great Depression. Moreover, wartime had forced the federal government to heavily regulate the economy. With the end of the conflict came demobilization, with millions of soldiers leaving the services and seeking employment. Civilians continued to face wartime-level housing shortages, along with reconversion to peacetime production or permanent factory shutdowns.