The aftermath of the Second World War had several significant impacts in the United States, especially in California (Schoenherr, 2017). The US entered the war following an attack on Pearl Harbor by the Japanese forces, thereby acting as a turning point in the immense conflict of the 21st century (Schoenherr, 2017). As such, the long-standing dispute would bring monumental transformations to the Golden State, which had not been experienced since 1848. Therefore, the subsequent revolutionary event in California’s history following the Gold Rush was “the war.” irrespective of the challenges faced by some Asians and Europeans in the battle, a majority of Americans were unwilling to join the war. Many Californians, akin to their fellow compatriots, realized the significance of isolationism and escapist media of the time (Schoenherr, 2017). Still, some recognized the inevitability of conflict and started to prepare the nation and its citizens for its eventual outbreak. This paper explores some of the factors that contributed to California’s increasing population, economic, cultural, and political strength and also explains the American state as a birthplace of both progressive and conservative politics.
Reasons for California Rising Population
California experienced exceptional military, industrial, and technological growth during and after the long-standing conflict. As a result, this contributed to monumental proliferations in migration, employment, industrialization, population, and urbanization. While employments were abundant in cities during and after the batter, housing was a problem (Monaghan, 2020). As such, the need for an accommodation was satisfied by military barracks, quick-built facilities, and Quonset huts. Before the Second World War, the Golden State’s population had already increased since the 1920s to near 3.4 million (Monaghan, 2020). However, by 1970, the number of people living in California had grown to approximately 19.95 million, becoming the most densely inhabited region in the union (Monaghan, 2020). Following the three decades after the war, about 6 million housing blocks were built attributed to the government regulations, increasing job opportunities and wealth, and innovative techniques of construction. In essence, California emerged as one of the most famous regions in the world, with hundreds of kilometers of freeways and tremendous growth.
California After the War
Growing Economic and Technological Strength
The increasing economic growth of California after the Second World War is attributed to several factors. In particular, the American state had 140 military stations that instigated government spending (Kunofsky, 2020). As such, the massive federal defense expenditure stimulated incessant growth in other segments and manufacturing sectors. The Bay Area emerged as a leading center for technological innovations, whereas Southern California was at the forefront of aircraft production, second only to Detroit in the manufacturing of automotive (Schoenherr, 2017). The flourishing Golden State’s economy led to the comprehensive development of infrastructures such as interstates, roads, and bridges. There was also a need for accommodation for the impressive number of employees who continued to migrate to California. Spiraling expansion in suburban tract homes, opulent goods, and rising office space enabled California to become the fifth largest financial system in the world.
The Golden State continued to develop following the outcome of the Second World War. As such, the cessation of the battle further expanded California as emerging shipping and aerospace sectors, thereby improving its technological contributions to the United States. In the years after the 1950s, the Golden State started to witness a series of growth that led to the development of enterprising firms in various segments offering computers, networking systems, and video games (Schoenherr, 2017). Most of these organizations were established in an area stretching from San Jose to Palo Alto, famously known as Silicon Valley, where most multinational corporations specializing in offering innovative technologies are located.
Growing Cultural and Political Strength
Following the cessation of World War II, California’s population continued to increase, and it also developed its identity uniquely. As such, rapid growth and increasing ethnic diversity are significant aspects of the Golden State’s cultural history (Monaghan, 2020). This region has been a population accumulation zone throughout its timeline attributed to its sustainable growth rate, which doubles the number of people every twenty years. Moreover, California’s growing authority in global and national affairs is based on formal politics. Although Southern California financial resources and celebrity played a significant role in politics, and the former four Republican presidents have been natives of the Golden State, the American state’s presence can be seen in the industry and media.
Did all Californians Benefit from the Post-War Boom?
In particular, all Californians benefited after the end of the Second World War. The Golden State became the most populous region globally and the epitome of the “American Dream” philosophy (Schoenherr, 2017). Moreover, it also benefited from the developments in industrialization, which boosted its economy, accompanied by various technological transformations such as biotechnology. In essence, the post-war period led to the emergence of new industries providing new materials for civilian products (Schoenherr, 2017). Engineering design, motion picture and television, painting and jazz are also considered the positive impacts of the second World War in California. One of the recipients of the law was California’s higher learning institutions which witnessed a significant rise in enrollment and the building of several new colleges throughout the state. Another sector that experienced prosperity is the construction segment with the building of new communities to address the needs of returning service veterans. In conclusion, the post-war period enabled California to emerge as one of the leading economies in the world.
California as the Birth of both Progressive and Conservative Politics
Progressive Movement
In contemporary society, progressive politics can be described as a movement that advocates for ordinary people’s interests through political transformations and government reinforcements. California developed a history of progressive politics dating back to 1893, when the Golden State Legislature ratified its first campaign finance disclosure (Kunofsky, 2020). This law incorporated elements of election corruption, including bribery, fraud, and discreet financing of movements. The Progressives has achieved their objectives of effectively constraining the political influence of the Southern Pacific Railroad, so there was no justification to limit lobbying practices because other politicization interests were somewhat weak by comparison. However, Arthur H. Samish, a distinguished figure, filled the lobbying vacuum and was regarded as the most influential individual campaigner in Californian history as he became a symbol of the need for change (Hertel-Fernandez, 2019). In essence, progressive politics emerged due to the adverse effects of industrialization where reformers sought to limit the private industry to bolster the protection of employees and consumers, disclose corruption in both government and large-scale business.
Conservative Movement
Conservative politics can be described as the political philosophies implemented to promote conventional social traditions. Therefore, the development of the California Conservative Movement can be traced back to 1945, where it also grew through 1966 (Hertel-Fernandez, 2019). One of the significant transformations in the timeline of the Golden State was when Governor Ronald Reagan signed a welfare reduction bill in 1975, marking the state’s bourgeoning after the second World War conservative movement (Hertel-Fernandez, 2019). Reagan’s ideas of smaller administrative units, lower taxes, and social conservatism inspired the voters, not only in the American state but also throughout the US. In essence, the conservative movement enabled California to emerge as one of the leading economic and social centers.
Factors that led the Partisan Division Through the 1990s
The partisan divide in California is based on several factors that led to a split in political values. In the 1990s, there were sharp shifts among Democrats on the need to address poverty, immigration, and race (Hertel-Fernandez, 2019). Two decades ago, the average partisan variations in California were only somewhat broader than disparities by religious attendance or educational achievement and about as wide as the discrepancies between blacks and whites. Therefore, the first reason for the division is attributed to racial discrimination, where democrats’ views on cultural acumen were considered a factor. The second reason for the difference is referred to as immigration, where approximately 65% of foreigners bolstered the nation due to their hard work and talents (Schoenherr, 2017). In addition, 26% have stated that immigrants are a liability since they deplete employment opportunities, housing, and healthcare (Schoenherr, 2017). As such, California became a liberal state following various development which occurred after 1994.
Why California is More Liberal Since 1994’s Proposition 187
California is generally considered a liberal state due to several reasons. While the Golden State was primarily a Republican territory from 1952 until 1992, most of the Southern part and Bay Area population tends to be liberal (Hertel-Fernandez, 2019). However, in most cases, this American territory has been a long facilitator for policies that advocate for national interests. The politics in this region started to change in the 1990s to such an extent that the state shifted to a Democratic territory governed by liberal philosophies. It is attributed to the Hispanics who are inherently Democrats, and as their population increased, California became a conservative state (Jensen, 2017). In addition, the other reason for California’s transformation to liberalism is accredited to Republican sustenance of anti-immigrant vote projects, and candidates spoiled Grand Old Party (GOP) brand from foreigners’ perspective (Johnson, 2019). The outcome was witnessed when settlers’ children and whites were discouraged by the nativist appeals, further compelling them into the hands of the Democrats who were pro-immigration. In essence, California emerged as a liberal state following the developments that occurred after Proposition 187.
Conclusion
California is one of the leading economies in the world, attributed to several developments which occurred after the Second World War. This paper has explored the significant factors that led to California’s burgeoning population, economic, cultural, and political influence and also discussed the Golden State as an origin of both progressive and conservative politics. Today, this American territory is well-known for Silicon Valley, a place that is famous for its technological innovation. Its identity is derived from the primary component in computer microprocessors, where the area is home to multiple leading technologies, software, and internet corporations. Generally, the conclusion of World War II brought numerous transformations to California that led to the development of its economic, sociocultural, and technological aspects. In addition, the period after the 1990s was governed by Proposition 187, which transformed the Golden State into a blue region primarily governed by liberal philosophies.
References
Hertel-Fernandez, A. (2019). State capture: How conservative activists, big businesses, and wealthy donors reshaped the American states–and the nation. Oxford University Press, USA.
Jensen, J. M. (2017). Governors and partisan polarization in the federal arena. Publius: The Journal of Federalism, 47(3), 314–341. Web.
Johnson, K. R. (2019). Proposition 187 and its political aftermath: Lessons for US immigration politics after Trump. UC Davis L. Rev., 53, 1859.
Kunofsky, J. (2020). Some implications of population growth to California’s renewable resources. In California Riparian Systems (pp. 37–44). University of California Press.
Monaghan, J. (2020). Chile, Peru, and the California gold rush of 1849. University of California Press.
Schoenherr, A. A. (2017). A natural history of California. Univ of California Press.