St. Louis, Missouri, a city founded upon the dreams and aspirations of mankind, became a city based upon the wartime needs of the United States and Allied Powers during World War II. Situated on the banks of the Mississippi River, St. Louis became one of the main industrial regions for the war in the United States, due to “its strategic location, its favorable transportation facilities, and the character and diversification of its industries.” The location of the city allowed direct access to the ocean through the Mississippi, limiting the transportation time required for the war destined commodities and also protected it from any immediate threat of enemy fire. Wartime demands changed St. Louis from an economically distressed city during the Great Depression to a city of economic prowess in the 1940s. Initiating World War II revitalized the city through the introduction of industries, economic stimulation, and social transformations that would impact St. Louis long after the final shots of the war faded away in distant lands. The Second World War had an unprecedented impact on St. Louis economically and socially and ushered in many long lasting changing in the region.
The municipality of St. Louis, before the commencement of wartime preparations, had “been compared to an apple rotting at the core because of the steady loss of population and declining property values in central areas”. St. Louis’ population had been growing at a diminishing rate for much of the 1900s,
The health status according to the 2017 County Health Rankings, St. Louis has a homicide death rate of 33 people per 100,000 (“Crime,” 2017). The health care clinician to patient ratios for primary care physicians are 1 to 83 people, dentists are 1 to 48 people and mental health is 1 to 272 people (“Crime,” 2017). The population that are uninsured is eleven percent and are between the ages of 18 to 65 (“Crime,” 2017). The Missouri Health Improvement Act of 2007 (Senate bill 577) seeks to make MO HealthNet a prudent purchaser of high quality care and the Missouri Health Transformation Act of 2008 (Senate bill 1230) which requires hospitals to report adverse events and the state to publicly report results annually (Health Care, 2013).
The 1893 Chicago World’s Fair, more formally known as the Columbian Exposition, was a fair constructed to celebrate Columbus’ arrival in the New World. Chicago was known as the White City, but did not appear as pure and spotless as its name suggested. For instance, there were many ways one could get killed. “Fire took a dozen lives a day...There was diphtheria, typhus, cholera, influenza. And there was murder.” (Larson 12). These unstoppable causes of death was one of the reasons Chicago’s reputation was tarnished. Furthermore, the Panic of 1893 struck and greatly affected the city of Chicago. The Panic’s effects included “financial crises”, “bankruptcy”, and “high rates of unemployment and homelessness”. (Panic of 1893). Because of the city’s economic depression, the fair would decide whether Chicago’s circumstances would improve or deteriorate. Eventually, the 1893 Chicago’s World Fair displayed what America would soon become in an industrial, military, and economic perspective.
World War II brought several changes to the world and specifically America. It not only changed the world map but also set impact on the behaviours. WWII played a major role in building turning points during different periods. Before WWII, African Americans were not offered equal rights in the community. It was considered an impossible thing that African could ever do a white collar or even a blue collar job. However, soon after the WWII, there came a turning point in the lives of African American with the Civil Rights Act in 1964.
After the end of World War II, the United States went through many changes. Most of the changes were for the better, but some had an adverse effect on certain population centers. Many programs, agencies and policies were created to transform American society and government.
St. Louis was acquired from France by the United States under President Thomas Jefferson in 1803, as part of the Louisiana Purchase. It was founded by the French in 1764 when Auguste Chouteau established a fur-trading post and Pierre Laclède Liguest, a New Orleans merchant, founded a town at the present site. They named it after King Louis XV of France and his patron saint, Louis IX. From 1770 to 1803, St. Louis was a Spanish possession, but it was ceded back to France in 1803 in accordance with the Treaty of San Ildefonso (1800), only to be acquired by the U.S. as part of the Louisiana Purchase later that year. The town was incorporated in 1809. From 1812 to 1821, St. Louis was the capital of
The first chapter introduces Chicago, in the 1800s as a place where flocks of single women are coming to Chicago looking for jobs. This city was described as very unsafe. Two people a day, on average, died at railroad crossings, disease was very common, and people died from
The American economy thrived tremendously after World War II. During this time, more families were able to be considered middle class, thus enhancing our economy. It gave opportunities for families to move up economic classes in order to improve their wealth. The distribution of wealth evened out because of this concept. The programs and situations that concern to expanding the economy were the defeat of Japan and Germany, Baby Boom, GI Bill, Levittown, and Interstates. Furthermore, the programs and situations that concern to wealth distribution were Baby Boom, GI Bill, Levittown, Unions, and Interstates.
Due to the successfulness of World War II, Americas society underwent superb economic and social growth. Between the years of 1939 through 1965, a change was seen within minorities, women's status, and the middle class lifestyle; subsequently, resulting in an all around better life for the citizens of America prior to World War II. As a result of the war, people were now open to segregation, women were a part of the workforce, and the possibility of owning your own house was more probable than ever. One might argue that the changes seen after World War II were not superior --due to reluctant fears for growth and change in America--; however, the changes seen after World War II were inevitable acts that helped shape The America now seen in 2016.
In 1932 20,000 veterans assembled an ‘army’ and marched to Washington D.C. in search of their bonus. They wanted this bonus because the nation was in the midst of a depression and were struggling to live, they felt that the government owed them something for their time in service. While they were in D.C. they lived in Hooverville’s which were poorly built structures made of scraps.
For the United States the event of WWII was most likely the single largest factor in determining the nation’s financial, political, and social prowess in the 20th century. Where most have knowledge of the war itself, few understand the sheer reach it had and the massive effects it produced globally. At home, it ended the great depression and strengthened our government’s ability to manage the economy. Leading up to the war virtually all industry in the country was majorly crippled if not dead, a problem that may not have ever been fixed were it not for increased demands via the defense industries.
St. Louis was established on the west bank of the Mississippi river. In the 19th century, St. Louis was largely developed mostly due to its busy port and trade connections (wikipedia.com). Due to advantageous geographical location and industrialization, St. Louis was the 4th largest city in the United States in the 20th century. In the mid-20th century, governors started to rebuild downtown with large-scale construction. Lots of parking and office buildings were built to create a fine working environment which in turn attracts people moving to St. Louis. However, from late 1960s, downtown St. Louis started to losing its power. Suburbanization caused a big loss of population, which marked the beginning of recession of the city. Now, St. Louis
World War II (WWII) had an immense effect on the United States; culturally, economically, and industrially. Although no battles were fought on American soil, the war affected all phases of American life. Among the infinite of changes experienced by Americans during this time, there was a big shift in the industrial complex, a re-imagining of the role of women in society, and economic boost. Social shifts began to shape a new national identity which would change the country forever.
In fact, the United States had enjoyed an extended period of economic expansion during the war, and following the war the U.S. economy continued with great strength for more than a decade. Life in America, consequently, was arguably better than it had ever been. The middle class had swelled, unemployment rates were some of the lowest in history, and the “American Dream” was for many families a reality.
Detroit, once the New York City of its time, nick named the “Motor City” as it contained one of the leading car manufacturing centers of the automobile industry. As a metropolis for the first half of the twentieth century, Post World War II, Detroit became an economic fortress and focal point in American History. Detroit’s economic stronghold placed the city in a position that was once beneficial. From the surging employment opportunities perpetuated by the booming automotive market to the development, and implementation of substandard housing and the casual labor market, Detroit became the land of opportunity that loomed with an air of new beginnings. Today, however, Detroit continues to reap the aftermath of contradictory political
Los Angeles was the first product off the assembly line of American urban planning. Turned on in the late 19th century, the city-making machine was fueled by an immense immigration of people who sought to create a new type of city out of the previously quaint pueblo. They also strove to craft the first major city developed primarily by Americans and outside of European archetypes. As a result, Los Angles is not only incredibly diverse, but also nearly impossible to define. Since it is a product of the American machine, understanding the community of Los Angeles becomes vital to understanding the United States. But to fully comprehend the present Los Angeles, one must look at the process that created it. Specifically, Los Angeles was