History Professor Andrew Morris discusses the unprecedented demand for affordable housing from the mid-1940s and into the 1950s that was created by returning World War II veterans. Professor Morris explains that the building of new homes had slowed during the Great Depression and during World War II, when materials were rationed. As thousands of veterans came home and started families-and the country experienced an economic upswing-the demand for new housing skyrocketed, resulting in the dramatic growth of U.S. suburbs. Video clips of promotional films and newsreels of the period were shown, as well as other slides.