Significant Impacts of the World Wars on American Society

United States. National Park Service. "Rosie the Riveter: Women Working During World War II." National Parks Service. U.S. Department of the Interior, 1 Jan. 2014.

14 May 2014. Harris, Carol. "Women Under Fire in World War Two." BBC History. BBC UK, n.d.

A Plan of the Investigation The aim of this investigation is to research the question, “How did the involvement of women in World War II on the home front affect the role and position of women in society?” The scope of the investigation has one main focus: women who remained in the United States and how they pushed the role of women in society forward. Within this topic, it is broken down into women who joined the labor force and women who remained in the household. B Summary of Evidence There were varying levels of involvement of women during World War II, but this investigation will be looking at women who remained in the United States of America. There are two subsections: women who joined the previously male-dominated business realm, and women who continued to work in the domestic sphere. At the beginning of WWII, it was evident that to win the war, weapons and aircraft would have to be produced; but because most men were overseas, women had to manufacture those goods (Weatherford 154).

Print. Gluck, Sherna B. Rosie The Riveter Revisited. Boston: Twayne, 1987. Print. Gregory, Chester W. Women in Defense Work during World War II; an Analysis of the Labor Problem and Women's Rights.

One of the most significant sociological changes in the nation's history began in the last decade of the nineteenth century and the ramifications are still being felt today. This change consisted of the large numbers of women who entered the work force. This dramatic change in American society was accompanied by a great deal of controversy and prejudice directed towards women. It was predicted that female employment would bring about the downfall of society and the change of the American family. While a large portion of the public was appalled by the thought of independent young working women, they were also fascinated.

Women played a crucial role during World War II, both with the production of war materials, and keeping our country from sliding back into a depression. Since the 1940s, women have continued to struggle to prove that they can do the same jobs that a male worker can do, and should get paid the same amount for it. Equal pay for women has continued to be an intensely debated subject since World War II, when women stepped up to fill the void in the workforce that men left behind when they courageously fought to defend our country. As scores of men left the country, they left behind massive gaps in the United States workforce. The government noticed this problem, and drafted their infamous Rosie the Riveter posters (A&E Television Networks).

I. INTRODUCTION The role of women in American history has evolved a great deal over the past few centuries. In less than a hundred years, the role of women has moved from housewife to highly paid corporate executive to political leader. As events in history have shaped the present world, one can find hidden in such moments, pivotal points that catapult destiny into an unforeseen direction. This paper will examine one such pivotal moment, fashioned from the fictitious character known as ‘Rosie the Riveter’ who represented the powerful working class women during World War II and how her personification has helped shape the future lives of women.

27 January 2013. Web. 10 March 2014. Thompson, Mark. “Women in Combat: Vive a Différence.” Time U.S. Time.

23 Apr. 2014. Harris, Carol. "Women Under Fire in World War Two." BBC News.

Ther... ... middle of paper ... ...he War: American Women in World War II." National Women's History Museum - NWHM. Web. Nov. 2011. .  Fogel, Robert William., Claudia Dale.