Women and the War: 1914-1945 There has been no better growth in the United States history than the period between the beginning of World War I and the end of World War II, where leaders and reforms in the nation shaped America as we know it today. Among Americans who experienced this period of trial and growth were women. The First World War brought about a series of positive changes within the United States, which would dramatically change the lives of women through the end of WWII, generating employment, suffrage, freedoms, and an importance to society. WWI was a time of great economic growth in the United States, beginning in 1914 due to a Bosnian Serb assassinating Archduke Franz Ferdinand. The United States did not have intentions to …show more content…
America initially isolated itself and tried to continue peaceful trade through the "cash-and-carry" policy (Roark, et al. 754). After the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, American desire to fight and avenge this attack emerged. On December 8, 1941, Congress endorsed the declaration of war. WWII was fought long and hard, but it lifted the United States out of the Great Depression. By the end of the war on August 14, 1945, when Japan surrendered, the United States was a global superpower. During WWII, 16 million men and women served in the war. Although women were barred from combat duty, they completed noncombatant tasks which changed the role that women play in war (761). Government advertisements promoted women to take work in industrial settings and millions responded. Women took jobs with wrenches and welding torches boosting the workforce and defying the traditional roles of women, earning the nickname “Rosie the Riveter.” At the beginning of the war, about 25% of women worked outside the home in traditional women jobs but the efforts of men in the war left wartime jobs begging for women (766). By the end of the war, 18 million women worked outside the home, 50% more than in 1939 earning substantial wages (767). The majority of women remained at home caring for children, but contributed to the war effort through planting vegetables, recycling, and purchasing war bonds. WWII employment was the ultimate showcase of the progress women had made since WWI. With combined incomes, most Americans had a lot of money in their pockets and were able to purchase movie tickets, cosmetics, and music. Following WWII, some women would face a challenging time during the second red scare. The investigation of feminists would lead to the unemployment of many due to anti-communism within the U.S. (Storrs, Landon R. Y.
There weren’t many women working outside the household. The ones who were weren’t accepted by men very often at all. Women’s place was in the home, taking care of the children, cooking, cleaning and servicing her husband. Once the war got into full affect many men were drafted off overseas to help with the war efforts. This caused a shortage in the home front. Many factories had a shortage of workers and military operates. This gave women the opportunity to become great patriots and support their war and the men risking their lives overseas. Women had to step it up by doing more physically demanding and dangerous work. These jobs could range from building massive ships and aircrafts to the smallest bullets and hand grenades. Towards the end of the war women wanted to keep their jobs and the newly found independence that came with it. Once the many men came back from overseas, the majority of women had to let go of their jobs and settle back into the home. Some women even found “pink collar” jobs as waitresses or secretaries just so they can continue to work. Even though these women still had to deal with lower wages and gender discrimination, the war couldn’t have been won without the help of the women from the allied forces. These women paved the way for future generations of females to see themselves as more than a domestic
On September 3rd 1939 World War II started in Europe. During World War II, more than 16 million American men served in the military. While this large portion of the population was overseas fighting for the United States, women had to do many of the jobs in America normally held by men. Women were considered vital assets to the war effort, and the American government made sure to use their skills and labor in many different areas to win the war. Women contributed to the successful war effort by working society, documenting the war effort, and supporting the soldiers.
Throughout, the history of the United States, there has been many different events that helped change and shape the America known today. One particular event that has had a great significance was the Second World War. The war came as a salvation to the United States because it helped liberate it from the Great Depression. However, one gender population, during this time, had the opportunity to demonstrate their potential. This gender population was women. WWII was not only a life changing event for all men in America, but also for women because it would become the first time in history when they begin to break the stereotypes between gender roles.
When Britain declared war against Germany in 1939, the Australian Prime Minister, Robert Menzies, proclaimed that Australia was also at war. The declaration of war saw Australians respond to another world conflict. On this occasion, Australia itself would be under the threat of attack. World War II would not only require young men to travel overseas and fight but it also significantly impacted the lives of Australian women. The contribution Australian women made towards the war effort and their roles on the Homefront and overseas was a vital part of Australian History. Australian women had a range of duties and responsibilities they were encouraged to perform. Since most men had to go overseas to
Society on both sides varied in terms of race, social class, and gender. This included both for African Americans and the general women population. Though women played an important role in the war as spies or nurses women were mostly discouraged in medical administration and military service. They had to prove whether they were worthy for the job by being able to withstand grisly conditions especially full of male strangers. Some women craved fighting which led to some incidences where women disguised as men to fight in the war; these were the “woman in battle”. Women did many other things other than medical work which included serving meals, sending letters to soldiers, and laundry. Nevertheless, women were mostly restricted from military service. They had to be highly skilled otherwise would be of no
Women's roles changed in World War II for the better. Whether they were in the military, in which they enrolled in large numbers for the first time in American history, manufacturing tanks, or even just making money to buy war bonds, the U.S. might be under Nazi or Japanese control today without them. The same goes for minorities in World War II. The African American Tuskegee Airmen shot down over 250 enemy planes, and African American leader A. Philip Randolph's demand to outlaw job discrimination, which was brought into action by Franklin D. Roosevelt, paid off in the war production. Native Americans used the Navajo language as code talkers, 13 Latinos won the Medal of Honor, and even Japanese Americans won glory on the battlefield.
Before World War II, women were the ones customarily responsible for taking care of their houses and children. Typically, they were not allowed to pursue their dreams of having a career in the field of their choosing. It wasn’t until the start of World War II that women were allowed to venture outside of their homes and housekeeping tasks to explore a whole new world of opportunities created by wartime efforts. Women were needed to fill the voids left by the departure of the 690,000,000 men from 61 countries that were headed to war. With American men enlisting in the war effort, the work force quickly diminished allowing women to fill positions . The factory gates welcomed a flood of women willing to work and serve their country. Mothers, daughters, wives and even schoolgirls picked up the duties the men had left behind. Government sources continued to recruit women throughout the war, with articles and advertisements placed in magazines to get women 's attention. Slogans such as, “Women, you would hasten victory by working and save your man,". The Magazine War Guide recommended that all published magazines participate in the”Women at Work” cover promotion to emphasize not only defense and factory work, but all kinds of employment opportunities for women. One of the many slogans shouted, "The more women at work, the sooner we win." (American Women and the U.S. Armed Forces). The
World War II was the most massive and murderous equipped combat in the history of humankind. Working women, within and outside of the military, quickly became a crucial part of the US’ armed forces during WWII. Women’s involvement evolved over this time and eventually led to women’s rights movements throughout the United States. From promoting war bonds to recording locations of aircraft, women played a major role in the war effort. Without women, the turnout of WWII may have looked very different.
World War II was a moment nobody wants to live in, it has caused physical and mental destruction to many people throughout the world. Women were a big help for World War II, they served in many roles in the war, such as the Nurse corps, armed corps and mostly took many jobs that were previously reserved for the men in the war, including creating more jobs to help contribute to the war, such as munition factories, building ships, aeroplanes and spitfires. Rosie the Riveter was a culinary icon of the United States and they represented American Women who worked in factories to produce war materials and supplies. Rosie the Riveter was used to boost moral or women to keep doing what they’re doing. Without women’s contributions to the war on the
On December 7, 1941, Japanese planes attacked Pearl Harbor, killing thousands at the base and prompting the United States to declare war against Japan. The United States joined the Allied Powers in World War II and their presence helped to turn the tides against Germany and the Axis Powers. Upwards of 16 million American men left their homes and joined the military to fight for their country. To fill their places, women took on a multitude of new responsibilities in order to keep the homefront stable and prosperous while the war waged abroad. Encouraged by the likes of “Rosie the Riveter”, women took jobs in industries that were previously exclusive to men, including factories that created weapons and aircrafts used by the military. As needs for soldiers abroad increased, product availability at home was scarce, especially in the aftermath of the Great Depression, meaning that families were forced to ration their food and use
Men were leaving, people were fighting, and many were dying. World War II was one of the hardest times, and during that difficult time, women stepped up their roles and had a huge impact during the war. The women during World II in the United States and in Europe impacted the war by taking different jobs and becoming employed in the workforce, working in the home with normal household responsibilities while supporting the men oversees, and entering into the military with sacrifice.
The women in World War 2 (1935-1945) were given a much more active role than the women in World War 1. They were significantly beneficial to the success of the allied forces fighting not only in Australia but all over the world. Their contribution not only to the military but to the continued growth of the country was outstanding in so many ways. They had to quickly learn skills which traditionally were male dominated and this included jobs which involved heavy labour and long hours for very little or no pay whilst trying to maintain in many cases a stable family life. (Australia.gov, 2015) If not for these women’s contribution during the Second World War Australia could have very well have been in a different situation than it is currently.
World War II brought monumental movements, struggles, and massive regrets to the United States. The constructive effects of the war, such as vast numbers of women joining the workforce, overshadowed pitiful mistakes like Japanese internment camps. For every negative result of the war effort, for example increased rations on everyday necessities, there was an optimistic outlook on life, often provided by radios. The United States transformed in many ways, but emerged stronger than ever at the war’s end.
World War two was a very traumatic experience for many countries. It was a fight between the United States, United Kingdom, and the Soviet Union, against Germany, Italy and Japan. Even though it was said that no battles took place in the mainland of America, World War two had a huge impact and it influenced America in several ways. The Japanese attacked America after December 7, 1941, and the U.S. was pushed into WWII, which lead to the sudden alter in resources everyday. For example, food, water, and clothing, were very limited at the time. While the necessities were limited, America was demanding weapons and different materials in order to fight. In order to do this, women had contributed and found dangerous jobs, like electricians, and riveters in defense plants.
Eleanor Roosevelt once said, “Women are like teabags. You don’t know how strong they are until you put them in hot water.” This was never more accurate than in the time of World War II, a period that deeply entrenched women in the movement for equal rights. During these troubling times, women were forced into new occupations that men had previously dominated. This would lead to a new surge of feminism and the fight for equal rights, which can only be traced back to World War II.