What was the basis of American economic growth between 1945 and 1965?

I would argue that the basis of American economic growth
during this time was World War II.  There are at least three reasons for saying
this.

• Increase in capital.  During the war,
  various technological advances had been achieved.  One example of such advances would be
  the large, long-distance airplane.  These sorts of advances increased the potential of
  the US economy.  So, too, did the GI Bill.  This law greatly increased the level of
  education and training of the US population.  Both of these things increased the
  potential of the economy.


• Destruction of competitiors. 
  Essentially all of the countries that could have been major competitors for the US
  economy were devastated by the war.  This enabled US companies to expand much more than
  they might otherwise have been able to.


• Pent-up demand. 
  Americans had, for at least 4 years, been making money without being able to really
  spend it.  US productive power had been put towards war, not consumer goods, so many
  Americans had much more money to spend than they had in a long time (especially since
  the Depression preceded the war).  This created a pent-up demand that exploded in the
  1950s.