Soldiers to Citizens The G.I. Bill and the Making of the Greatest Generation

Americans who came of age during World War II--the justly praised"greatest generation"--participated in civic life after the war at unprecedentedlevels, joining fraternal groups, labor unions, churches and other localorganizations and becoming intensely active in politics. What fueled thisremarkable "golden age" of civic participation?In this eye-opening volume, Suzanne Mettler argues convincingly that theG.I. Bill was a key factor in this great civic renaissance. Drawing on extensiveresearch that included in-depth personal interviews with veterans and surveys ofhundreds of members of "the greatest generation," Mettler shows that veteranswho used the Bill's education and training provisions joined 50% more civicorganizations and took part in 30% more political activities than those veteranswho did not use it. But why did the policy have such a highly positive impact?Mettler describes the G.I. Bill's provisions as characterized by largesse,fairness, and the granting of a resource--advanced education--that is closelyidentified with the deeply held American value of social opportunity, the chanceto improve one's circumstances. The benefits also had a very wide scope: theywere used by half of all veterans, including people in all economic classes anda majority of African Americans. Most important, Mettler contends that the Billtreated veterans with dignity and respect, as first-class citizens, and hencethey became more inclined to participate as members of the society. It was agenerous and indeed magnanimous governmental act, and the veterans reacted inkind.For those concerned about the lack of civic involvement in contemporaryAmerica, including readers of Bowling Alone, this book offers a wealth ofinsight, contradicting the conventional wisdom that government programs have anegative impact on citizenship.

Suzanne Mettler is Alumni Associate Professor of Political Science at the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs, at Syracuse University. She is the author of the prize-winning Dividing Citizens.