Women's Roles In World War II

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.

The role of woman in World War Two was an essential behind the scenes effort. Just as a cameraman is essential to the making of a movie the roles women played in the war was essential to our allied victory. In the war women provided food, clothing, funds, medical work, safety, knowledge and a safe and secure country to return to at the end of the war effort. All the help provided by women gave helped prove gender equality can work in society and helped lead to women's rights in our county.

In the past, WWII and WWI, women were very dominant; they had to take care of their children, do all the chores and also had to cook the food. During WWII, women had to take place for the men (First world war.com). The war changed the life for all Canadian women. When men went to fight, women were called upon to fill their jobs, and this included many jobs that were previously thought of unsuitable for women. Women were called up for war work from March 1941(Women during World War II). The roles of the women were positively impacted by World War II, because they had the potential to re-enter the workforce, control the farms and join the military for the first time. Taking control of the military was tough, but women had shown that they could work together and handle the situation.

In the years after the Second World War, people created uncountable numbers of historiographical research on various topics related to the war, such as military tactics in battles, individual groups of men during their time in service, and other such subjects. Not much surprise exists then, that women’s actions in World War II eventually would also gain interest and publication for the public, though it did not gain an undivided focus until the advent of women’s and social history grew momentum. Women, despite being half of the world’s population, doubtlessly had acted during the war years, although limited by social gender expectations of the period. As time passes from 1945, more interest in the lives of women and their effect on the war

It is safe to say that the Canadian war efforts in World War 2 are something Canada should take much pride in. We united as one strong nation and showed the world how useful and powerful we could be on the world stage. These efforts were also a first step for women working for the Armed Forces in Canada. It allowed women to break many boundaries for themselves as before the war, they lived in a world in which they were expected to stay at home and manage the household. Women worked hard and courageously for Canada and to show the world how strong women can be. Although very successful, Women in the Armed Forces and on the Front Line contributed immensely to the already successful Canadian efforts during World War 2 through the success of oversea

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

During World War II, the roles of women have forever been changed. Young men and women decided to marry just before their sweethearts went overseas to fight for their country. As the men fought abroad, we began to see women on the Home Front encouraged to be more independent and finding jobs of their own. These females in the United States stepped up to the plate and began working jobs that many men had before. Women stepped up and began working in factories, participating in organizations in regards to the war, all while still running things smoothly at home. While the men were away for battle, women became proficient cooks and housekeepers, managed the finances, learned to fix the car, worked in a defense plant, and wrote letters to their soldier husbands.

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

If you were born right now, this instant, at you’re present age without any knowledge about how women used to be treated, the assumption could be made that men and women are basically equal. Yes, men are a little stronger physically, but overall the two sexes are both equal. Things weren’t always so picturesque, though. Since people first settled here, on what is now the United States of America, women were thought of as inferior. Ever so slowly though, the men’s view on women began to change. The change started in the 1920’s but it was going slowly and needed a catalyst. World War II was that catalyst. So much so that women ended up participating in the rise of the United States to a global power.

Even though allowing female recruits in the armed services created controversy and proved difficulty there were women of every branch of military in 1943. Since there was this controversy of “‘sacrificing their feminity by usurping men’s roles’” they made the uniforms feminine and professional by shaping them to be attractive and flattering.

The Women Airforce Service Pilots, also known as, WASPS, revealed themselves again and again, recording more than 60 million miles in more than 12,000 aircraft: the B-17s, B-24s, and P-51s Mustangs that helped win the war. But while other women involved in the war effort - the “Rosie the Riveters” and their like - lived on in our popular culture, after the war the WASPS

The British launched a thousand-plane raid on Cologne in May. In August 1942 they were joined by the American airforce and cascaded bombs on German cities. The Germans drove eastward across North Africa into Egypt. British general Bernard Montgomery delivered an attack at El Alamein, west of Cairo. Here, the enemy was driven back to Tunisia more than a thousand miles away.

“Our women are serving actively in many ways in this war, and they are doing a grand job on both the fighting front and the home front.” ~Eleanor Roosevelt, 1944

Britain’s initial involvement with the second World War was commenced after Adolf Hitler sieged the Polish borders in 1939. A dormant war was declared against Germany by Polish allies, France and Great Britain, that was later realized when Hitler began conquering western Europe in 1940 (Atwood, 2011). Although a peace treaty was declared in 1938, few trusted Hitler’s words, and used the time to prepare. Women, who demonstrated their usefulness in the First World War, were taken into account during the government planning for the Second World War. Through multiple organizations centered around female contribution, women were able to resume their military services. For example, The Women’s Voluntary Service for Air Raid Precautions was set

“We can do it!” is what the famous Rosie the Riveter poster exclaimed. Most Americans know the iconic picture of Rosie the Riveter, depicted as a strong and independent young women working to help the war effort. It was 1941 and the United States finally entered World War II. Most propaganda of the United States encouraged the average women to join the workforce and help with the war effort. With men fighting abroad, it was only necessary for women to start working and leave their normal lives of being a mother and wife. The War Department of the United States emphasized that with women working hard their sons, brothers, and husbands could return quicker (Women at War). Women became employed, volunteered, helped with the armed forces, became nurses, and some even became spies all to help the United States prevail in the war. During World War 2, women began gaining independence and without that the United States would of not been able to win the war.