Summary Of William O Neil's Essay The People Are Willing

William O'Neil's essay "The People Are Willing" illustrates the sacrifices made by American citizens in an effort to win the Second World War. In addition, O'Neil outlines how these sacrifices forced Americans to reexamine the efficacy of certain long held American traditions and institutions. The realities of wartime rationing had challenged the American Dream as citizens found it increasingly difficult to secure their basic necessities. Beyond conscription, the American government was learning to master the neglected resource of civilian wartime aid and the emergence of the cultural icon, Rosie the Riveter, indicated a significant transformation of traditional gender roles.

Despite the social and economic hardships of The Great Depression

American nationalism was at a high following the attack on Pearl Harbor. Upon the confirmation of America’s entries in the Second World War recruiting offices across the country where flooded with volunteers. War enthusiasm was so engrained in the culture that Arkansas, one of the state hardest hit by the combination of The Dust Bowl and The Great Depression, had over two hundred thousand Arkansans (more than ten percent of the population) serving in the armed forces by the end of the war. The entire Lepanto, Arkansas high school football team enlisted in the Navy. After an enlistment denial for not meeting military physical standard one team member attempted suicide for fear of being perceived a coward. Strong-willed efforts to back the war were not unique to Arkansas. Non-government organizations (NGOs) assembled nationwide to consider ways to aid the war.

Volunteerism on the home-front was viewed as a virtue to most Americans of the World War II period.

Citizens, especially those who could not enlisted in the Military for medical or other reasons, took immense pride and care in providing for the physical and social welfare of servicemen and women overseas and at home. While Americans were anxious to give of their time and resources the American government had not instituted effective channels to reap the benefits of civilian wartime aid. Some members of the American legislative body completely ignored this human resource. Beyond making donations, purchasing war bonds and stamps and practicing conservation little was expected of the average citizen. The local media and Hollywood constantly encouraged the public of their financial duties, bombarding them with such slogans as “we are in this together”. The American government had become efficient in extracting monetary support from the nation however, they neglected to tap into the workforce that was ready and willing to be employed for wartime

interests.

While the government was engaged in the slow process of developing programs to take full advantage of civil support, the nation was not idle.

Organizations such as a Newfoundland Patriotic Association (NPA), and The Red Cross stepped up to relieve wartime tensions. The NPA was comprised of Veterans from the First World War, prominent citizens and politicians. The group’s mission was to create social services that promoted recruitment for military service and supported dependents of soldiers serving overseas. In addition, they ensured that service member returning from their duties had pensions, and work programs. The Red Cross’ mission was to care for the survivors of military combat. They donated medical supplies to local hospital, provided in home care for seriously injured veteran, offer first aid classes, and conducted blood

drives.

The most diligent group of volunteers on the home front was women. Women overcame traditional conceptions of the American female gender role. With the majority of able body men serving in the war, women stepped up to tackle responsibilities normally reserved for men. American factories expanded to accommodate wartime production and women were an integral part of the labor force. The cultural icon Rosie the Riveter, depicted an American woman hard at work and was created by the media to encourage women to take on these new jobs and gender roles. Although barred from combat women also joined the military as nurses, stenographers, an accepted a myriad of clerical position so that more men could serve in combat. It was in the communities at home where the effort of women could be realized the most. On top of raising their children and managing their homes women organized committees to aid in fund raising, host troops, recycled scarce materials, and tended to victory gardens. Noteworthy female organization began to arise around the nation, Missouri’s Powder Puff Platoon, Washington’s Green Guards, and Boston’s Women’s Defense School were all invaluable partners not just in providing war aid but also transforming the idea of what women could accomplish. The most successful group organized by women was the America Women’s Voluntary Services (AWVS), which had upwards of three hundred thousand members in every state. The AWVS was unique in that it pushed pass not only gender barriers of the period but racial barriers as well. The AWVS found by Anglophile socialites included chapters of Hispanic, Black, and Taos tribeswomen , all of whom worked tirelessly for American interest.

The People Are Willing illustrated that World War II was a desperate time, which called for desperate measures. More importantly, the essay revealed that desperate measures can eradicate archaic traditions and institutions that that may be holding a society back from social evolution. The war simultaneously ended the Depression, validated women’s worth and force the government to recognize that the power of the civilian patriot is a resource that has capabilities beyond monetary support. The hardships of war proved to mature America; as the nation continually moves towards a fair balance between freedom and equality.