MOST SIGNIFICANT EVENTS

Most Significant Events

Most Significant Events

Introduction

World War II was a dreadful experience for anyone who encountered it. The common focus in WW II has been on women in the workforce and homes, with a stress on women's entry into male areas of work and into the secondary services. Today I want to structure my discussion about women in WW II with regards to women's patriotism, and the origination of several women's movements that ensued after the deadly war.

Discussion

World War II affected almost every aspect of American life. The 1930's marked a decade of economic hardship. In 1930, the Great Depression deepened and millions of Americans were forced out of their homes and jobs, equaling little money to support their families. Despite the numerous government agencies created by President Roosevelt, which produced thousands of jobs, many Americans felt hopeless. The rich were getting richer, and the opportunities and prospects of America's poor became grimmer. American morale was at an all time low since the days of the Civil War.

With the first sign of war, American's took a stand of neutrality. However, the worldwide destruction that 's Army unleashed made it increasingly difficult for America to remain a neutral nation. Before officially entering WWII, America monetarily aided Britain, France and the Soviet Union through the Lend-Lease Act. After the ing of Pearl Harbor, Roosevelt created the War Production Board where he appointed the executive vice president of Sears- Roebuck, Donald Nelson, to organize the nation's resources for an all-out war effort. Roosevelt believed that "in a capitalist country, you have to let business make money out of the process [of war] or business won't work." Roosevelt also believed in the close collaboration of business and government.

The partnership of big science, government, and big business established in the1940 has created a firm foundation for future projects. Scientists were commissioned to perfect new weapons and other products. In addition to the development of the atomic , American scientists also improved radar, developed jet engines, and penicillin. During WWII business executives were offered key positions under Roosevelt in an effort to unite industry with government. Because of collaboration with the government, industrial production and corporate profits nearly doubled, as they found demand in markets that previously had not existed. The Office of Price Administration was established as an effort to control inflation. The commercial farming industry also profited from the war. The consolidation of small farms into larger commercial farms, as well as the rise in demand for fertilizer, led to a rapid increase of profit. Americans reacted to the crisis of WWII effectively and efficiently. They created the hardware and supplies that turned the tide of the war, and had 's armies marching back toward Berlin, and the Japanese island hopping in the Pacific back to Tokyo. From airplane to rubber factories, eager Americans flooded the work force, and for the first time in years, there was nearly no unemployment rate in America.

President Roosevelt pro-actively enlisted the forces needed, both militarily ...