How the Greatest Generation Won WWI

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How the Greatest Generation Won WWII, Saving the World. The "Greatest Generation” is a term that Tom Brokaw coined to describe those individuals who were born roughly between the years of 1909-1928. Every generation after the Greatest Generation owes their gratitude toward this generation for the livelihoods we enjoy today. The Greatest Generation had endured some of the toughest times in the history of the United States, growing up in the Great Depression, Dust Bowl, and then fighting in the largest war in history, World War II. The Greatest Generation caused the tides of WWII to turn, uniting the country, and ultimately saving the world through their strong values of hard work, commitment, discipline, and most importantly sacrifice. As children, the Greatest Generation were born into the worst economy the United States has ever seen. This was a very dark and desperate time for nearly every American family. The Lost Generation (1890-1908) were “living it up”, so to speak. Then in October of 1929 the stock market came crashing down in a historic way. This came as a shock to the whole country in 1929, especially after the roaring '20s. The stock market crash caused a ripple effect, making employer’s layoff their employees. By 1930, there were 4 million people out of work, to which that number rose to between 13-15 million people in 1933. The stock market crash also made just about every bank fail. Many Americans began using credit to help feed their family, but without finding work they went into default, nearly losing everything they owned (“The Great Depression”). The depression lasted for a full decade, until 1939. To add insult to injury a drought struck from 1934 to 1937. The Dust Bowl made the depressio... ... middle of paper ... ...s” (Brokaw). They went without certain things and became very thankful for the things they did have. They learned a great deal about what values are the most important, not only through teachings from their family and school (somewhat) but through their life experiences that formed them into this great generation. Their sacrifices at home and on the frontlines make our current difficulties look like a walk on the beach in comparison (Brokaw) Works Cited Cole, Hugh M. "Bastogne Is Encircled". THE ARDENNES: BATTLE OF THE BULGE. WASHINGTON, D.C.: OFFICE OF THE CHIEF OF MILITARY HISTORY, 1965. Print. Roosevelt, Franklin D. "Pearl Harbor Attack." White House, Washington D.C. 8 Dec. 1941. Speech. Stewart, Richard W. "World War II: The War Against Japan”. Center of Military History, 1 Jan. 2005. EBook. 5 May 2014.

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