World War 2 created major changes in the lives of all Americans. One of the biggest and perhaps well known change was the change in the work force. Women increasingly took on jobs typically reserved for men. The figure ‘Rosie the Riveter’ was a popular symbol at this time, signifying the shift from women doing traditional female work to more traditionally male jobs. “The war challenged the conventional image of female behavior, as "Rosie the Riveter" became the popular symbol of women who abandoned traditional female occupations to work in defense industries.” (Digital History) The most significant change was not only that women were working but married women with children were working as well. This was very unusual and looked down on before it became necessary with the increasing war demands. “For the first time in history, married working women outnumbered single working women as 6.3 million women entered the work force during the war.” (Digital History)
Rationing also became an important piece in the war efforts at home. People were encouraged to ration as much as they could to help the soldiers fighting in the war. “During the spring of 1942, a rationing program was established that set limits on the amount of gas, food and clothing consumers could purchase. Families were issued ration stamps that were used to buy their allotment of everything from meat, sugar, fat, butter, vegetables and fruit to gas, tires, clothing and fuel oil.” (History) Another change was the increasing use of radios in family homes. People were increasingly dependent on it for updates on the fighting happening overseas.
There were also beginning to be changes for African Americans in the work force. The employment opportunities benfitted many African Americans, however there was still rampant discrimination and segregation. “During the war, the Marines excluded blacks, the Navy used them as servants, and the Army created separate black regiments commanded mostly by white officers. The Red Cross even segregated blood plasma.” (Digital History) Although there were steps taken in the right direction, true equality for African Americans was continuously denied.
For Japanese Americans this was a time of great struggle. They were hated by nearly all and blamed for the attacks from Japan, even those who were born and raised in America. Roosevelt signed an Executive Order 9066 which resulted in the removal of all Japanese Americans who lived on the West Coast. “Executive Order 9066 was the result of wartime panic and the belief on the part of some that anyone of Japanese ancestry, even those who were born in the United States, was somehow capable of disloyalty and treachery. As a result of the order, nearly 120,000 Japanese Americans were dispatched to makeshift Japanese Interment camps.” (History) Regardless of this however Japanese Americans fought in Italy, France and Germany. “as members of the U.S. Army’s 100th Battalion, 442nd Infantry. By the end of the war, the 100th had become the most decorated combat unit of its size in U.S. Army history.” (History)
WW2 made profound impacts on people throughout the world. In American significant changes were made for women in the work force. Unemployment rates lowered and new opportunities were open to people where before it would not have even been considered. Roles were shifted and ways of living had to be changed to accommodate a changing world.
Digital History—America at War: World War 2 https://www.digitalhistory.uh.edu/era.cfm?eraID=15&smtID=2
History—The US Home Front During WW2
https://www.history.com/articles/us-home-front-during-world-war-ii
Rationing also became an important piece in the war efforts at home. People were encouraged to ration as much as they could to help the soldiers fighting in the war. “During the spring of 1942, a rationing program was established that set limits on the amount of gas, food and clothing consumers could purchase. Families were issued ration stamps that were used to buy their allotment of everything from meat, sugar, fat, butter, vegetables and fruit to gas, tires, clothing and fuel oil.” (History) Another change was the increasing use of radios in family homes. People were increasingly dependent on it for updates on the fighting happening overseas.
There were also beginning to be changes for African Americans in the work force. The employment opportunities benfitted many African Americans, however there was still rampant discrimination and segregation. “During the war, the Marines excluded blacks, the Navy used them as servants, and the Army created separate black regiments commanded mostly by white officers. The Red Cross even segregated blood plasma.” (Digital History) Although there were steps taken in the right direction, true equality for African Americans was continuously denied.
For Japanese Americans this was a time of great struggle. They were hated by nearly all and blamed for the attacks from Japan, even those who were born and raised in America. Roosevelt signed an Executive Order 9066 which resulted in the removal of all Japanese Americans who lived on the West Coast. “Executive Order 9066 was the result of wartime panic and the belief on the part of some that anyone of Japanese ancestry, even those who were born in the United States, was somehow capable of disloyalty and treachery. As a result of the order, nearly 120,000 Japanese Americans were dispatched to makeshift Japanese Interment camps.” (History) Regardless of this however Japanese Americans fought in Italy, France and Germany. “as members of the U.S. Army’s 100th Battalion, 442nd Infantry. By the end of the war, the 100th had become the most decorated combat unit of its size in U.S. Army history.” (History)
WW2 made profound impacts on people throughout the world. In American significant changes were made for women in the work force. Unemployment rates lowered and new opportunities were open to people where before it would not have even been considered. Roles were shifted and ways of living had to be changed to accommodate a changing world.
Digital History—America at War: World War 2 https://www.digitalhistory.uh.edu/era.cfm?eraID=15&smtID=2
History—The US Home Front During WW2
https://www.history.com/articles/us-home-front-during-world-war-ii