The Effects of Wwii and the Us Economy

Impact of the Second World War on America
Written by: Latrice Jones-Lanclos

World War II, or the Second World War, was a global military conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, which involved most of the world's nations, including all of the great powers: eventually forming two opposing military alliances, the Allies and the Axis. It was the most widespread war in history, with more than 100 million military personnel mobilized. In a state of "total war," the major participants placed their entire economic, industrial, and scientific capabilities at the service of the war effort, erasing the distinction between civilian and military resources. Marked by significant events involving the mass death of civilians, including the Holocaust and the only use of nuclear weapons in warfare, it was the deadliest conflict in human history, resulting in 50 million to over 70 million fatalities.
The beginning of WWII effectively ended The Great Depression in America by putting everyone back to work; 16,000,000 men in the armed forces and many millions of men and women in the various industries that supported the war effort. There was concern that when the war ended there would be another depression because that war-time employment would end. But that didn't happen.
The wartime economy brought about full employment and, in doing so, achieved what New Deal programs had been unable to do. In 1940, there were 8 million Americans unemployed. By 1941, however, unemployment was almost unheard of. There were actually labor shortages in some industries. As a result, more and more women entered the workforce. Women took up jobs in industry that had once been reserved for men, and "Rosie the Riveter" became a popular American icon. By 1945, women made up 36% of the nation's total workforce.

In the course of the war, aircraft continued their roles of reconnaissance, fighters, bombers and ground-support from World War I, though each area was advanced considerably. Two important additional roles for aircraft were those of the airlift, the capability to quickly move high-priority supplies, equipment and personnel, although in limited quantities; and of strategic bombing, the targeted use of bombs against civilian areas in the hopes of impeding enemy industry and morale. Anti-aircraft weaponry also continued to advance, including key defenses such as radar and greatly improved anti-aircraft artillery, such as the German 88 mm gun, these defenses play a major role in combat situations today.

During WWII the industrial-capacity of Europe & Japan was largely destroyed (and Britain's was damaged). All of those nations needed thing, i.e. machine tools, construction equipment, food, vehicles; you name it, to rebuild their society. There was only one large nation whose industrial-capacity not only wasn't damaged but in fact was greatly expanded and that was America. (There were also some smaller nations like Canada). All those nations needing products kept large numbers of Americans employed. Then, as now, Americans buying products & services from each other also kept Americans employed.
After WWII the veterans Administration became more structured. The VFW was formed and it started the migration of young families into towns and suburbs were created. Also the war provided a giant shot in the arm for the industrial revolution. We also as a nation have never been caught off guard with a weak military.
The necessities of war even influenced American fashion. In the spring of 1942, the War Production Board became the nation's premier clothing consultant by dictating styles for civilian apparel that would conserve cloth and metal for the war effort. For example, menswear rid itself of vests, elbow patches on jackets, and cuffs on pants. Women's clothing also relied on fewer materials and skirts became shorter and narrower, creating the two-piece bathing suit.
The federal government also compelled Americans to cut back on foodstuffs and consumer goods. Americans, for example, needed ration cards to purchase items such as gasoline, coffee, sugar, and meat. Rationing eventually frustrated many Americans. For the first time in years, they had money to spend, but there were few goods available for purchase. This frustration kept mounting until the end of the war. When the war finally came to a close in 1945, industries returned to consumer production and Americans went on a buying spree of unprecedented proportions. Today with the increase of jobs, the purchase of all goods has doubled.
The main lesson learned from WWII is that settlement, giving dictators what they want in order to avoid going to war, doesn't work. "Give them an inch and they'll take a mile." This has influenced the foreign-policy of the U.S. even still today.