Changes Made to America Society during WWII - Essay Example

Changes Made to America Society during WWII 4. Discuss the changes made to American society during WWII? How did these changes affect Women, African Americans and other minorities who stayed home during the war? What gains, if any, did these groups make? Introduction The Second World War brought about significant changes in America perhaps more than any other prior conflict. It was the most widespread and deadliest war in history involving huge military force and lot of civilian deaths (Shockley, 2003). America was going through momentous transformation in virtually all areas. One of the most outstanding of these changes was the movement toward equality, particularly for minorities and women. Before the war, the role of women was largely restricted and racial disparities were obvious in the American society. For instance, women were relegated to being housewives and family caregivers with little to no opportunity in the job market. African Americans, on the other hand, worked as either domestics or casual labourers in the agricultural farms (Kersten, 2000). However, the war acted as a turning point, as women and minorities had to step up to sustain families and industries after most White men enlisted in the military. This paper seeks to explore changes that occurred in the American society during WWII and their impact on women, African Americans and other minorities, with the primary argument that the War paved way for social change and equality on the gender and racial fronts. The African Americans were underpaid and denied equal employment opportunities with equal pay, leading to their marginalization. The onset of the second war, however, brought changes to that status. Children and teenagers were not allowed to work. However at the onset of the war most states were forced to amend their laws to incorporate the child workers who contributed greatly in providing labour in farms (Kennedy, 2005). The contributions in the job market by the women and the minority groups led to improved performance, productivity and efficiency in the job market. Personal savings were encouraged which led to an increased growth rate in the economy after the war. This paper covers the changes effected by the Second World War, the impact of those changes in women, African Americans and minority groups and finally the benefits brought about by these changes. Changes during the Second World War The Second World War brought various changes in America. The war affected all the spheres of life including economic, political and social life. Economically, the economy was strained since all the efforts were aimed at winning the war(Kennedy, 2005).The war led to various to effects on labour, and the government came up with various policies to support the economy and the much-needed resources and labour. Controls were put on the economy, the most crucial ones being the price controls put on most products by the office of price administration and wage control (Mansfied, 1951). Hence, goods were sold at the set prices and traders had no autonomy to set their prices. Employee wages were controlled to specific ranges and amounts. A rationing system was introduced to provide for minimum amounts of necessities to everyone so as to prevent inflation that was eminent due to over production of industrial goods and low production of necessities (Kersten, 2000). Rationed goods included rubber, due to the interruption of natural rubber; gasoline with limits being set on the amount of fuel one could use, food items and, as a result, ration coupons were introduced to purchase basic food items such as milk, sugar, margarine. Every household booked rations while taking into consideration the number of family members. The children guided each family on the amount of rationed goods they would receive. The production of most durable goods like cars and house appliances were banned until the end of the war. This was so as to minimise the resources used on the manufacture of other goods other than those required in the war and instead use those resources for the manufacture of war items and machinery. Previously discarded items were saved after use for recycling (Kennedy, 2005). For instance, families were requested to save fat drippings from cooking to be used to make soap. Recycling aimed at ensuring the use of all the resources available was maximized. Higher taxes were introduced along with heavy borrowing to pay for the war. To achieve the required amount of taxes the Congress increased the tax base. This was achieved by ensuring introduction of low minimum income to pay taxes and by reducing personal exemptions and deductions (Kersten, 2000).The move by Congress enabled the government to collect more taxes hence more money to fund the war and its activities. The unemployment menace ended as a result of war mobilization. A greater wartime production created more employment opportunities hence creating the need for the greater work force (Kryder, 2001). The demand for labour was so great that the millions of retired people, housewives and students entered the workforce enticed by wages and patriotism. School going teenagers dropped out of school to replace the outgoing labour force in the American economy. Children also helped in the farms especially since the workforce in farming had greatly reduced, to aid the need for a larger source of food hence contributing to the war effort (Stuart, 2000). The government also came up with the fair employment practices commission that progressively dealt with gender and racial discrimination, hence allowing women and African Americans to work in industries with equal pay (Mansfield, 1951). Politics became determined by those groups that were for the war or against the war. Political changes were made to incorporate those that were qualified to come up with mechanisms that aided the war such as investigating waste, fraud and inefficiency in civilian programs that had been designed to increase labour force in the war front (Kryder, 2001.) Print and electronic media were used by the government to promote the war efforts. For instance, patriotism became the central theme of advertising throughout the war and campaigns on a large scale was introduced to sell war bonds, to promote efficiency in factories, maintain civil morale and reduce unfriendly rumours (Kennedy, 2005). Social Changes in the Second World War and their Benefits The changes experienced in the war led to the development of various changes in the social life of various groups in America. These groups include women, African Americans and other minority groups such as the Mexican Americans. The war had a dramatic effect on women. Wartime mobilization led to millions of women entering the labour force (Kryder, 2001).Women most being married took up paid and vocational jobs that were previously exclusive to men. This was a result of most young men being sent abroad to war hence a great deficiency of employees to be filled, the greatest number of women being employed in the manufacturing industry. Women also volunteered in community service roles (Mansfield, 1951). After the war women stopped working while most of them were forced to provide for their families as most of the war veterans did not return (Dave, 2005). The opportunity provided to the women to work raised their social status level, and they were no longer referred to as housewives but were recognized as a key source of economic growth due to their contribution in the job market (Kryder, 2001). Nursing became a prestigious occupation for women and most especially the young women, as most of the women had volunteered as civilian nurses during the war. Due to their contribution to the war, women were in a position to demand more economical and political opportunities. The women had gained experience in various fields including the navy, aircraft services, manufacturing in industries, nursing and many other fields (Kallen, 2000). The fair employment practices commission created by the federal order of the government provided that companies with government contracts should not discriminate on employees based on race, colour, creed or national origin. This led to African American being given an opportunity to work in industries and any available employment opportunities with equal pay and without discrimination. This led to the double campaigns that led to victory over discrimination (Kryder, 2001). Black women who were either labourers or domestic workers took up white collar jobs. The double V campaigns fought against restrictive hiring, equal employment opportunities, government entitlements and better-working conditions appropriate for full citizens (Kallen, 2000). The Second World War led to the recognition and the value of the women in the job market and the critical role they play in the economy. Also it led, to the acceptance and recognition of the African Americans as citizens of America, being part and parcel of the American society. Conclusion In summation, the Second World War was a significant turning point for the American society at large, as greater investments were channelled toward defence-linked industries and other strategic areas. Whereas women and minorities were previously isolated from serious societal issues and were limited in terms of accessibility to resources and job opportunities, they started playing more significant roles. Women no longer stuck to traditional roles of housewife and caregiver, while minorities had more job opportunities in industries other than Agriculture. By partially taking over the reins of familial, industrial and administrative matters, when majority of the White men went to war, these secluded groups effectively jumpstarted the gender and racial equality movement. References Kallen, S, A. (2000). The War at Home. Sandiego: Lucent Books. Kennedy, D. (2005). Minnesota at work. St. Paul: Minnesota Historical Society. Minnesota: Saint Paul. Kersten, A. (2000). Race, Jobs and the War: The FECP in the Midwest, 1941-1946. Kryder, D. (2001). Divided Arsenal: Race and American state during World War II. Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press. Mansfield, C, H. (1951). A short History of OPOA: Historical Reports on War Administration. U.S. Gov. Print. Shockley, M, T. (2003). Working for Democracy: Working Class African American Women, Citizenship and Civil Rights in Detroit 1940-1954. 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