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The impact of the First World War
Effects of War
The impact of the First World War
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After the United States involvement in WWI, Americans were strengthened economically and diplomatically, but their home was drastically unsettled. Disputes of race, origins, labor, and women gaining equal rights arose throughout America. The war may have ended around America, but at its heart there was war amongst itself socially, politically and economically for women, immigrants, African Americans, and American men. The WWI affected African Americans socially through the Great Migration of African Americans traveling North, politically for women who were fighting for rights and the ability to work, and immigrants were outcasted depending their background, and economically for men that were being drafted and their previous jobs became vacant. These issues were not something that could be overlooked no longer and stuck out like a sore thumb, hurting America’s reputation. While men were being drafted for war, women picked up the slack by working in factories to help production for the war effort. Journalist Jean Godden Seattle wrote on June 30, 1918, patriotically exclaimed that women gained the right to work in various shops at the navy yard and it depicts women wanting to participate in the production of goods for their troops (Doc. 5). Women jumped at the idea of working to gain money while their “breadwinner” was fighting in the war because it let them taste what it means to be considered a working citizen. Although, they would not let go of the big step towards gaining equal rights to men. Women pushed further and the Joint Resolution was passed on May 19th, 1919 by Congress allowing women the right to vote and extends the right to suffrage to women making their dreams to be an American citizen a reality (Doc. 6). They... ... middle of paper ... ...ued because of what they have done. American men were called to war after America broke its isolationism and they lost their previous jobs in order to exhibit their patriotism. In America even if WWI was fought overseas, and there were necessary battles to be fought at home for many Americans. African Americans fought to work in the North for improved lives, women fought for suffrage and to help by working for the war effort, German-Americans and other immigrants were suppressed so no uprisings occurred from radicals, and men fought for their country. Overall, America experienced changes politically, economically, and socially but it also showed their patriotism and how they were able to cope with bringing involved in foreign affair which later led them not to approve of the League of Nations because of the pain and change internationalism has caused them.
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.
During the time of 1940-1945 a big whole opened up in the industrial labor force because of the men enlisting. World War II was a hard time for the United States and knowing that it would be hard on their work force, they realized they needed the woman to do their part and help in any way they can. Whether it is in the armed forces or at home the women showed they could help out. In the United States armed forces about 350,000 women served at home and abroad. The woman’s work force in the United States increased from 27 percent to nearly 37percent, and by 1945 nearly one out of every four married woman worked outside the home. This paper will show the way the United States got the woman into these positions was through propaganda from
...ould to assure his men would be rewarded with a victory parade when they came home in February 1919. After returning the 369th infantry has a parade kicking off at 11:00 a.m. that stretched 7 miles long. (Gates) In Harlem, the Chicago Defender observed, February 17th, 1919, was an official holiday with black school children granted dismissal by the Board of Education. After the parade, city officials honored the troops a special dinner. A. Phillip Randolph said, “I wasn’t to congratulate you for doing your bit to make the world safe for democracy… and unsafe for hypocrisy.”
“There was much more to women’s work during World War Two than make, do, and mend. Women built tanks, worked with rescue teams, and operated behind enemy lines” (Carol Harris). Have you ever thought that women could have such an important role during a war? In 1939 to 1945 for many women, World War II brought not only sacrifices, but also a new style of life including more jobs, opportunities and the development of new skills. They were considered as America’s “secret weapon” by the government. Women allowed getting over every challenge that was imposed by a devastating war. It is necessary to recognize that women during this period brought a legacy that produced major changes in social norms and work in America.
Never before this time had women across the country been given the chance to express themselves and hold responsibilities outside their own households. They felt that they were needed and enjoyed their ability to contribute to the war effort. They were given opportunities to prove to the male society that they could be independent and financially secure on their own. These new opportunities were not only for the white women of the population but also the blacks. World War Two acted as a catalyst for change for the women of the United States. Many feel that it was the beginning of a whole new era for the Women of America.
Those studying the experience of African Americans in World War II consistently ask one central question: “Was World War II a turning point for African Americans?” In elaboration, does World War II symbolize a prolongation of policies of segregation and discrimination both on the home front and the war front, or does it represent the start of the Civil Rights Movement that brought racial equality? The data points to the war experience being a transition leading to the civil rights upheavals of the 1960s.
“At the war’s end, even though a majority of women surveyed reported wanted to keep their jobs, many were forced out by men returning home and by the downturn in demand for war materials… The nation that needed their help in
America’s entry into World War II had an importance to America after the war. The United States involvement in the war was long and took a toll on everyone in the war. The military of the U.S. was the deciding factor in World War II. The United States grew militarily and economically because of the war. Finally stopping the Great Depression and bringing on jobs for everyone including women, colored people and the fighters of the war.
When all the men were across the ocean fighting a war for world peace, the home front soon found itself in a shortage for workers. Before the war, women mostly depended on men for financial support. But with so many gone to battle, women had to go to work to support themselves. With patriotic spirit, women one by one stepped up to do a man's work with little pay, respect or recognition. Labor shortages provided a variety of jobs for women, who became street car conductors, railroad workers, and shipbuilders. Some women took over the farms, monitoring the crops and harvesting and taking care of livestock. Women, who had young children with nobody to help them, did what they could do to help too. They made such things for the soldiers overseas, such as flannel shirts, socks and scarves.
The 1940s provided a drastic change in women’s employment rates and society’s view of women. With the end of the Depression and the United States’ entrance into World War II, the number of jobs available to women significantly increased. As men were being drafted into military service, the United States needed more workers to fill the jobs left vacant by men going to war. Women entered the workforce during World War II due to the economic need of the country. The use of Patriotic rhetoric in government propaganda initiated and encouraged women to change their role in society.
The period following World War One was a very exciting time in American history. It was a time to finally let loose, have fun, celebrate, and enjoy all the wonderful things and “modern conveniences” that had become accessible to a wider variety of people. Since there were so many changes in life style, women’s rights, movies, automobiles, radio and fashion, America was transformed after World War One.
World War I marked a drastic change in African American history. The war began as a conflict between the Europeans and soon became an event with revolutionary consequences, which would have a big affect on the social, economic, and political future for the black community. The war impacted the black community of Cleveland greatly whether you were male or female, soldier or civilian. The war began in 1914 and ended in 1918, which marked one of the most dynamic periods for the African American community because of migration, racial violence, and political protest. African Americans challenged the American Government, demanded their rights as American citizens, and demanded equality both in subtle and dramatic ways. We should further our knowledge on World War I because it is important to develop a better understanding of how the war affected African Americans and the struggles they faced because of it.
During the war, men were off fighting for America, and the women were left behind to take over their jobs in the factories. Women proved that they can do almost all of the same jobs as men. Rosie the Riveter, a picture of a woman flexing with a caption of “We Can Do It,” became the symbol for women all across the nation. After the war, years later, women began to receive equal pay for the same jobs that the men were doing. Many other minority groups, such as African Americans, played a huge
During America’s involvement in World War Two, which spanned from 1941 until 1945, many men went off to fight overseas. This left a gap in the defense plants that built wartime materials, such as tanks and other machines for battle. As a result, women began to enter the workforce at astonishing rates, filling the roles left behind by the men. As stated by Cynthia Harrison, “By March of [1944], almost one-third of all women over the age of fourteen were in the labor force, and the numbers of women in industry had increased almost 500 percent. For the first time in history, women were in the exact same place as their male counterparts had been, even working the same jobs. The women were not dependent upon men, as the men were overseas and far from influence upon their wives.
Women were not only separated by class, but also by their gender. No woman was equal to a man and didn’t matter how rich or poor they were. They were not equal to men. Women couldn’t vote own business or property and were not allowed to have custody of their children unless they had permission from their husband first. Women’s roles changed instantly because of the war. They had to pick up all the jobs that the men had no choice but to leave behind. They were expected to work and take care of their homes and children as well. Working outside the home was a challenge for these women even though the women probably appreciated being able to provide for their families. “They faced shortages of basic goods, lack of childcare and medical care, little training, and resistance from men who felt they should stay home.” (p 434)