1940-1949

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Recommended: The effect of World War II on the United States

1940-1949

In the United States during the 1940’s, people were getting restless about the war. At the beginning of the 40’s, before the war started, life was pretty much normal and people were talking about how there might be a war. Finally, when the war began, life changed for most Americans. Men were enlisted and drafted to war. Women stayed home and worked numerous jobs to support their family. Industry slowed down so production of weapons, etc. could be produced and shipped to the war. Rationing had to be used so there would be enough food, water, etc. for people to use. It was a change for all people.

During the 40’s, especially during the war times, Women had to play the role as mother and father. They had to carry on jobs their husbands used to do, maintain the household environment, and in some cases played baseball to keep the economy up and keep people happy. According to the book, American Decades, by Victor Bond, the war was what brought the country out of depression. The pressure to prepare and produce goods from for the war was enough to jump-start the economy. After the war, the economy kept booming and people were finally getting their lives back together.

The beliefs and values in the United Sates were basically to live for the war, and deal with it. There wasn’t much else that could be done. People had husbands, brothers, sons, nephews, etc. entering the war. It took the effort of many Americans to stabilize their lives so that the war wouldn’t bring them down. After the war however, the attitude in the country was very optimistic. People wanted to go to school and get an education. Industry took off again and people were back to their normal lives. Many couples had children. This craze of births is known...

... middle of paper ...

...among blacks. Literature was influenced and art moved to an abstract expressionistic style. The economy grew and America began to regain its strength and power, and used it to grow. The 1940’s, what an amazing time in history.

Works Cited

Bond, Victor. American Decades, 1940-1949. Gale Research Inc. 1995

Williams, Neville. Chronology of World History, "The Modern World" 1901-1998. Volume IV. Helicon Publishing Limited, 1999

The Reader’s Digest. Great Events of the 20th Century. The Reader’s Digest Association Inc. 1997

University of Dayton Archives. Archives Collection, Albert Emmanuel Hall.

-"Hallowed Memories"

-"University of Dayton, from Nazareth to the new Millennium" 1850-2000. WDG Publishing.

www.lovett.org/libraryweb/amstud.htm

Perkins, George and Perkins, Barbara. The American Tradition in Literature. 9th Edition. McGraw-Hill. 1999

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