Politics
The road to success/failure
Interstate Highway System
The Dwight D. Eisenhower National System of Interstate and Defense Highways (more commonly known as the Interstate Highway System) established a network of roads 41,000 miles long. Inspired by the German Autobahn network, Eisenhower wanted to make a system of roadways that could help the country during wartime. Because trucks could now carry goods across the country, railroad use declined. Since more people could get around the country, new businesses were able to open.
1955 Map
The planned status of the U.S. highways in 1955
Interstates Today
Eisenhower's system is still a main part of our roads.
Construction
I-55 in construction in Mississippi
The Termination Policy
The termination policy was established to help Native Americans but it ended up hurting them instead. It forced them to assimilate into everyday American life. It ended the reservation system, stopped government financial support and gave parts of tribal lands to individual Native Americans. To try to help them, the government started a relocation program to help them get used to cities. The whole termination policy was a horrible failure. The relocated Native Americans weren't able to find jobs because of racism and bad training.