The line graph shows US defense spending from 1946 to 1968. Line graph showing U S Defense spending from 1946 to 1969 in millions of dollars. In 1946, purchases were over 40 million. In 1950, purchases were under 20 million. In 1954, purchases were a little over 50 million. In 1958, purchases were at 40 million. In 1962, purchases were at 50 million. In 1968, purchases were at over 80 million. What happened to US defense spending from 1946 to 1948? It dropped by approximately $40,000 million. It dropped by approximately $30,000 million. It stayed about the same. It went up by about $30,000 million.