Week 11 Discussion

World War II all began because of the attack on Pearl Harbor. “President Roosevelt appeared before a joint session of Congress to ask for a declaration of war. He began his address with these famous words: "Yesterday, December 7, 1941--a date that will live in infamy--the United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked by naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan. Congress declared war on Japan with but one dissenting vote” (Mintz & McNeil, 1). Because World War II started there was a boom in industry and there were many jobs that needed to be filled. Many people fled to California after Pearl Harbor to find jobs after the Great Depression and the Dust Bowl. “The Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor in December 1941 led to an intensified war effort, and more Americans sought ways to demonstrate patriotism while also taking advantage of new employment opportunities” (Redman, 1). 10% of all federal spending money during the war was used in California to build things like aircrafts and in shipyards which gave many job opportunities to people in need during that time. Many women joined the workforce when the men went to war to keep the United States moving on the home front. Women and minorities began to gain more status because of their roles in the working world. World War II would change the dynamics of the workforce forever for women and minorities since they were found in the workforce at that time more than ever. Also, because of the attack on Pearl Harbor, about 120,000 Americans who had Japanese descent were rounded up within 48 hours of the attack against the United States. They were put in concentration camps in the United States and were perceived as a threat to the West Coast in the United States. They were mistreated and stripped from their rights all because we were afraid of their looks and race. Later, America would apologize for doing such awful things and provide reparation payments to those who were harmed or their families. In addition to all these changes on our home-front. People grew Victory Gardens and rationed food so that their soldiers had enough food and goods while fighting the war. Propaganda and American ideas reshaped the way America saw the world, their role and support in the war, and so much more. African Americans also were part of the army fighting in World War II, Civil Rights Movement began because of the war, many migrated to the west coast. The war helped end segregation and helped pave more rights for African Americans as well. World War II forever changed the United States and impacted migration, Civil Rights, increased job opportunities, and fear because we were attacked on our home-front.

Work Cited:
Mintz, S., & McNeil, S. (2018). Digital History. Retrieved April 10, 2025 from
http://www.digitalhistory.uh.edu

Samuel Redman. “During World War II, Thousands of Women Chased Their Own California Dream.” Smithsonian.Com, Smithsonian Institution, 29 Nov. 2017, www.smithsonianmag.com/history/during-world-war-ii-thousands-women-chased-their-own-california-dream-180967357/.

“Suggested Readings: Crash Course World War II Part 2.” YouTube, youtu.be/HofnGQwPgqs. Accessed 10 Apr. 2025.

T.A. Frail, Paul Kitagaki Jr. “The Injustice of Japanese-American Internment Camps Resonates Strongly to This Day.” Smithsonian.Com, Smithsonian Institution, 1 Jan. 2017, www.smithsonianmag.com/history/injustice-japanese-americans-internment-camps-resonates-strongly-180961422/.