1940s

1940s The Decade of World War II, The Cold War, and Social Change //__ American Identity __// · The Employment Act of 1946 “established a three member Council of Economic Advisors to evaluate the economy, advise the president, and set up a Congressional Joint Committee on Economic Report. The act declared that the government was committed to maintaining maximum employment” in the wake of the depression (1). · The Taft-Hartley Act of 1947 made closed-shops illegal. It did allow union shops, but outlawed employers collecting union dues, secondary boycotts, or featherbedding (1). This was a step towards making getting a job more equal. ** Pearl Harbor **   The Japanese carried out a “sneak attack” on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. The same day, they also attacked the United States in the Philippines.  By the end of the attack, 5 out of 8 battleships many other boats were sunk in the harbor and over 2,400 Americans were killed  Before the attack, Americans were divided on whether or not to enter WWII. The attack assured the U.S. that war would be the only option (2).
 * Workers ** ·  This was a period of labor reform there were many strikes such as the General Motors Strike of 1946, the oil workers strike of 1945, the Ford Motor Strike of 1940, the North American Aviation Strike of 1941, and the Telephone Strike of 1947. Many people were unsatisfied with the conditions they worked in and wanted a change. In 1943, the Smith-Connolly Antistrike Act was implemented in order to give the government control of any plant or mine that was on a strike (1). This was done in because they government did not want production that would be cut because of strikes impacting the war. During this time, most strikes did cease.



Here is an excerpt from Corporal E.C. Nightingale's retelling of the events that took place on Pearl Harbor. Corporal Nightingale was aboard the U.S.S. Arizona where the attack began.  "We stood around awaiting orders of some kind. General Quarters sounded and I started for my battle station in secondary aft. As I passed through casement nine I noted the gun was manned and being trained out. The men seemed extremely calm and collected. I reached the boat deck and our ant aircraft guns were in full action, firing very rapidly. I was about three quarters of the way to the first platform on the mast when it seemed as though a bomb struck our quarterdeck. I could hear shrapnel or fragments whistling past me. As soon as I reached the first platform, I saw Second Lieutenant Simonson lying on his back with blood on his shirt front. I bent over him and taking him by the shoulders asked if there was anything I could do. He was dead, or so nearly so that speech was impossible. Seeing there was nothing I could do for the Lieutenant, I continued to my battle station. "When I arrived in secondary aft I reported to Major Shapley that Mr. Simonson had been hit and there was nothing to be done for him. There was a lot of talking going on and I shouted for silence which came immediately. I had only been there a short time when a terrible explosion caused the ship to shake violently. I looked at the boat deck and everything seemed aflame forward of the mainmast. I reported to the Major that the ship was aflame,which was rather needless, and after looking about, the Major ordered us to leave. "I was the last man to leave secondary aft because I looked around and there was no one left. I followed the Major down the port side of the tripod mast. The railings, as we ascended, were very hot and as we reached the boat deck I noted that it was torn up and burned. The bodies of the dead were thick, and badly burned men were heading for the quarterdeck, only to fall apparently dead or badly wounded. The Major and I went between No. 3 and No. 4 turret to the starboard side and found Lieutenant Commander Fuqua ordering the men over the side and assisting the wounded. He seemed exceptionally calm and the Major stopped and they talked for a moment. Charred bodies were everywhere. "I made my way to the quay and started to remove my shoes when I suddenly found myself in the water. I think the concussion of a bomb threw me in. I started swimming for the pipe line which was about one hundred and fifty feet away. I was about half way when my strength gave out entirely. My clothes and shocked condition sapped my strength, and I was about to go under when Major Shapley started to swim by, and seeing my distress, grasped my shirt and told me to hang to his shoulders while he swam in. "We were perhaps twenty-five feet from the pipe line when the Major's strength gave out and I saw he was floundering, so I loosened my grip on him and told him to make it alone. He stopped and grabbed me by the shirt and refused to let go. I would have drowned but for the Major. We finally reached the beach where a marine directed us to a bomb shelter, where I was given dry clothes and a place to rest." (4) New Independence ** Women The role of women in society was changing. Women were becoming more independent and stepping out from the home for the first time. Women were encouraged to get jobs outside of the household. One example of this is Rosie the Riveter. This propaganda campaign encouraged women to fill men’s jobs while they were away at war. Women also had more independence in their choice of dress. They could now wear pants, shorter skirts, and short sleeve jackets. Because of the war, women now became a more independent group of people.

African Americans African Americans found new independence as a result of the war. The first Army Corps was in 1941. They began to have more equal opportunities within the workplace. During the 40s the first professional black baseball player to play on a white team, Jackie Robinson, came to prominence. Also, African Americans began to have more equal treatment in the armed forces. The Red Scare began after WWII. During this time, Americans were paranoid over the fear of Communists within the United States. This became known as McCarthyism which “…came to be synonymous with the term witch-hunt, the act of making serious but unsubstantiated charges against people in public life…” (6). People became suspicious of their neighbors, and accused them of being Communists ready to overthrow the United States Government. This mentality led the United States to the Cold War. [] click for video (6) The baby boom generation started in the late 1940s. After WWII, many GI’s came home and started to have large families. This increased the population of the U.S., and is still having repercussions upon American society today. Because of the baby boom, the emergence of the suburbs came about along with a shift in the importance of the family unit. During WWII, the United States started to use propaganda in order to gain support for the war effort. These campaigns stressed the freedom that Americans had and the support of the troops. Some propaganda campaigns which were prevalent were the reemergence of Uncle Sam, the independent woman Rosie the Riveter, liberty bonds, and the dehumanization of the Japanese (7). __American Diversity__ = Japanese-American = With the Executive Order 9066 issued by President Franklin D. Roosevelt, over 110,000 Japanese-American citizens from the Pacific coast were forced into 10 different internment camps. Roosevelt states, “Whereas the successful prosecution of the war requires every possible protection against espionage and against sabotage to national-defense material, national-defense premises, and national-defense utilities” (8). The Japanese were seen as spies working for their home country, even though very few truly were. Life at the internment camps was comparably to concentration camps in Europe. They were located in the desert with no running water and were often killed by guards for supposedly resisting orders. The Japanese-American citizens did not receive an official apology from the government for its unfair treatment until Bill Clinton’s administration in 1993 (9).
 * The Red Scare **
 * The Baby Boom Generation **
 * Pro-American **



= Immigrants = As Europe became a battleground among world leaders, many tried to flee and immigrate to the United States. While some were admitted, many from the Axis Powers (Germany, Italy and Japan mainly) were denied. In 1946, over 7,000 immigrants from these countries were detained at Ellis Island. These people were seen as enemies, and this feeling only increased with the Red Scare in the late 1940s. Americans feared that the new immigrants would communists, especially as Communist Party gained more control overseas. = Jews = Despite the numerous restrictions the United States had on immigration, over 200,000 European Jewish immigrated to the U.S. in hopes of escaping the terrors of the Holocaust. Also, after the war, the U.S. accepted over 250,000 Jews as displaced persons (11). In contrast to the heightened anti-Semitic before WWII, these feelings were considered un-patriotic after the war. American Jews felt like a part of the American identity, participating in the move to the suburbs among other things (12). **African-Americans ** African-Americans, even though there was still segregation, were given a more equal opportunity to succeed in the 1940s. FDR issued the Executive Order 8802, which stated, “ there shall be no discrimination in the employment of workers in defense industries or government because of race, creed, color, or national origin” (13). Over 1 million and 4,000 African-American served in every branch of the armed forces (14). The Armed Forces further desegregated with President Truman’s passage of the Executive Order 9981, insuring that “ there shall be equality of treatment and opportunity for all persons in the armed services without regard to race, color, religion or national origin” (15). Blacks also became a major part in sports in the late 1940s. In 1947, Jackie Robinson became the first African-American to play in the major leagues. Blacks, although they were far from being equal to whites, came closer in the 1940s (14). De Facto segregation, or segregation by societal or economic means, was increased during this decade leading to the segregation of the 50s. It was seen that blacks were moving into the Northern and Western cities in order to find cheaper living because of their lesser economic state. It was seen that whites started moving to suburbia, in the late 40s contributing to the segregation. __Culture__ // § //// The color TV was invented by Peter Goldmark and researchers from CBS. // // § //// The Atomic Bomb was made in the Manhattan Project for use in the Second World War. // // § //// Mark 1 and 2- the First computers. Mark 1 was 55 feet high and 8 feet high, all it could do was basic mathematical functions (addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division). It could also do some basic trigonometry. Later Mark 1 was replaced by Mark 2, a smaller version (16). //
 * Inventions **

 // § //// The microwave oven was created in 1945 by Percy Spencer. The first microwave was 5 ½ feet tall, weighed 750 lbs, and sold for $5,000 each. This made life more convenient for Americans and contributed to present-day mentality of the need for quickness and fastness (18). // // § //// In 1946, the first slinky was made by Richard James, a naval engineer. It was marketed for both children and adults, and served well in the time as an economical toy (19). // // § //// Penicillin was invented in 1941. It became the miracle drug to cure infections. This medicine saved countless lives in WWII by keeping wounds uninfected. // // § //// Frozen dinners were invented to be more convenient for working mothers with the newly invented microwave. // // § //// Tupperware was also invented which was more convenient for working housewives to reheat something already made. // //** Arts **// // Abstract Expressionism was the major art form of the time. It focused upon lines, paint drips, and splatters. One of the major artists of this style was Jackson Pollock (20). // // **Literature** // § Dr. Spock was a leading author of the time, writing //Baby and Child Care//. His book has been translated into 39 different languages. This book was the beginning of parent help books and more respect for children (22). § Shirley Jackson was a short story horror writer who based her writings on small New England Towns. Some of her most famous stories were “The Lottery,” “The Haunting of Hill House,” and “We Have Always Lived in the Castle” (23). § Seventeen Magazine began 1944. Advertising began to be targeted teens whose fathers were away and mothers were working. **Music** § Aaron Copland was one of the greatest American composers. Some of his most famous works were the music to //Of Mice and Men// and //The Heiress.// In 1945, he won the Pulitzer Prize for music (25). § Billie Holiday was one of the greatest jazz vocalists of American history. Being an African America singer, she struggled to find acceptance within the musical community. Although she had a rocky road to success, she inspired other African Americans to strive for their goals and to stand up for themselves. Some of her most famous songs were “Them There Eyes,” “Lover Man,” and “God Bless the Child” (26). Click here for a short biography on Billie Holiday- [] (27)



**Entertainment** § Bing Crosby was an actor as well as a singer in the 1940s. He made more than 20 gold selling albums. His most famous song was “White Christmas” which sold over 30 million copies. In 1944, he received an Academy Award for Best Actor as his part as a priest in //Going My Way//. He was loved in the hearts of many Americans for his exceptional singing and acting abilities which carried them through the war (29). § Musica l Theater started to gain more popularity. The idea of dancing in character was pioneered by Agnes de Mille and was seen in the shows //[|Oklahoma]// (1943), //[|Carousel]// (1945), and //[|Annie get your Gun]// (1946) (30). § Movies became very popular during the war. They helped to keep the morale of the citizens up and also serve as an avenue of war propaganda. Walt Disney became popular with his releases of //Fantasia, Dumbo, and Bambi.// Other popular movies were //Casablanca, Wake Island,// and //The Best Years of Our Lives//. Some popular actors and actresses were Judy Garland, Humphrey Bogart, Joan Crawford, Elizabeth Taylor, Marilyn Monroe, and Gary Cooper (30). **Fads** § Diners were a huge part of the American culture in the 1940s. They were oriented towards families, and offered food at an economical price. § Pin-Up Girls became a symbol of American culture. GI’s had picture of these women in their helmets to give them motivation to fight. Some famous Pin-up girls were Rita Hayworth and Betty Garble (30).

§ The Jiggerbug dance became fashionable in the 40s. It allowed individual expression in dancing. This was another symbol of how American society was becoming more independent (30). § Kilroy was here became a symbol of the GI’s who would mark walls of public places that they passed through. When the war ended, public places in the U.S. also became marked with Kilroy. **Fashion** § With the start of WWII, cloth was in short supply for civilians; it was needed to make soldiers’ uniforms. In order to help with the cause, American women started to wear shorter skirts and smaller jackets. The convertible suit came about, and pants became acceptable for women. This new apparel gave women more freedom in what they chose to wear and how they chose to show off their bodies. § When the war ended, many women went back to wearing longer skirts, but not all. Christian Dior made flowy skirts with tight waists fashionable. Women began to wear lower heeled more comfortable shoes, and makeup became more socially acceptable (30).

**Sports** § During the 40s sports suffered because of the war. Able bodied men were required to serve in WWII, leaving sports at a minimum. After the war, sports began to grow again, this time including some women and black people (30). __ Economic Transformations __ Unemployment nearly disappeared in the 40s because of WWII. Most of the men were drafted to fight, and the women went to work in order to fill the jobs that the men left to fight. More families could support themselves with at least one, many times two incomes coming into the household (30). § In 1942, FDR established the War Production Board in order to control raw materials for the use in WWII. Then in April 1942, he set the General Maximum Price Regulation Act which “froze prices and extended rationing” (1). This act was extended one year later to include a freeze on prices, salaries, and earnings. § Scrap Drives were held across the nation to raise steel, paper, rubber, and tin. This was a way to support the war effort, and also save the United States money by collecting these supplies (30). § Victory gardens became popular within the United States. These gardens supplied about 40% of the vegetables eaten by the civilians at home during the war. This allowed the U.S. to become less dependent upon other countries for food and also use the produce of commercial farms to feed the soldiers (30). § The Serviceman’s Readjustment Act of 1944, also known as the G.I. Bill of Rights, gave soldiers the right to $13 billion in federal aid for anything from education to housing (1). This allowed the soldiers to stimulate the economy upon their return by getting better jobs, buying new cars and houses, and having a stable economic base. ** Workers’ Wages ** § Although wages were frozen, the Revenue Act of 1942 broadened the income tax to cover most citizens. In 1944, income tax started to be deducted directly from the worker’s salary (1). __ Religion __ The 1940s were a part of what is considered the Third Great Awakening of religion (34). Before the war, church attendance was at 43% of the population; by 1950, it reached 55% (35). The church provided comfort to both soldiers fighting in the war and their families at home during the war. With the return to religion, more religious buildings were built; some buildings followed their parishioners to the suburbs while others stayed in the cities (36). Jews became a more integral part of American society as anti-Semitic feelings dimmed in the late 1940s and Jewish immigration rose after the Holocaust. The Jewish community in the United States was the largest in the world and they assumed leadership for the religion (12). __ Politics and Citizenship __ § Brought confidence back to the American people after the depression. He convinced the citizens that "the only thing we have to fear is fear itself" (37). § He worked to stay neutral in WWII in order to keep peace within the country. § Had the longest run as president, 4 terms (3 full, months of the last). After his presidency, the country was radically changed to reflect his way of thinking. ** Harry S Truman ** § He was not elected to the presidency; he assumed it after FDR died. He did not have full support of the people, at first, but he gained support. § He signed the U.N. charter, starting the U.N.. This showed that he wanted the American people to respect all others and work for peace. § He presented to Congress a 21-point program, proposing the expansion of Social Security, a full-employment program, a permanent Fair Employment Practices Act, and public housing and slum clearance. The program, Truman wrote, "symbolizes for me my assumption of the office of President in my own right." It became known as the Fair Deal (39). This deal showed the American people that Truman wanted to be fair and have equal treatment towards all people.
 * Unemployment **
 * War Effects **
 * Franklin D. Roosevelt **



The National Security Act was passed by Congress in 1947 (1). This act created the National Military Establishment, National Security Council, Joint Chiefs of Staff, and Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (1). This was supposed to coordinate the armies and intelligence. The Organization Act of 1949 allowed the President to change the organization of the government, but it was subject to the veto of Congress. The Presidential Succession Act of 1947, changed the order of who would become president in the event of the death of the president. In this act, the Speaker of the House and the President Pro Tempore of the Senate were placed ahead of the Secretary of State, but after the Vice president (1). In response to FDR’s four presidential terms, the 22nd Amendment was created to limit the presidency to only two terms (1). __ Globalization __ __D-Day__ On June 9, 1944, the Allied Powers, under the command of Dwight D. Eisenhower, invaded Normandy, France (1). This became the beginning of the end of the war. __V-E Day__ On May 7, 1945 the Germans surrendered to the Allied Forces. This date became known as V - E Day, or Victory in Europe (1). __Battle of Midway__ The Battle of Midway was from June 4, 1942 until June 7, 1942 (1). During this battle, the United States Air Force decimated four Japanese carriers and 300 Japanese planes. This became the turning point of the war in the Pacific Theater __ V-J Day __ On August 15, 1945, the Japanese surrendered to the Allied Forces. This day, V-J Day, became known as Victory in Japan Day. This became official on September 2. ** Dropping the Atomic Bomb ** The first atomic bomb dropped by the U.S. in Japan was in Hiroshima on August 6, 1945 at 8:15 a.m. Called the “Little Boy,” it send off a tremendous explosion as remembered by Paul Tibbets. Tibbets, the pilot who dropped the bomb, recalled, "The city was hidden by that awful cloud . . . boiling up, mushrooming, terrible and incredibly tall," “The yield of the explosion was later estimated at 15 kilotons (the equivalent of 15,000 tons of TNT).” (41). In Hiroshima, 78,000 people were killed and 100,000 were injured (1). Thousands more died later due to radiation burns, radiation poisoning, and cancers from the increased radiation. The United States dropped a second atomic bomb on the Japanese city of Nagasaki on August 9, 1945, killing 40,000 people during the explosion and thousands after the fact (1). The dropping of the atomic bombs left the door open for possible use of atomic weapons in future wars, and the use of weapons of mass destruction. It also led the way for the cold war. media type="file" key="video.flv"
 * Reorganization of Government **
 * Armed Forces **
 * Government **
 * Presidential Succession **
 * Number of Terms **
 * World War II **
 * European Theater **
 * Pacific Theater **

// “Good Neighbor” policy was initiated by FDR. It broadened the Monroe Doctrine saying that the United States would defend Latin America against aggressors (37). It was used as a way to keep good feelings between the countries in the western hemispheres in the wake of war. // // In June of 1945, the U.N. was created as a way to keep peace between the nations of the world. This idea was pioneered by Woodrow Wilson after WWI, but failed when the United States Congress would not allow the country to join. After WWII, the nations of the world needed international leadership. This came to the U.S., the Soviet Union, China, the U.K., and France, who became the permanent members of the council with veto power (42). This globalized not only the United States, but the 89 other nations involved in the organization. // “US implemented the [|Marshall Plan], helping war-torn countries to rebuild and rejoin the world economy” (30). With this, the U.S. decided that they would control the World Economy. This led to disputes and eventually the Cold War. The United States eventually gave $12 billion in aid to European countries (1). **The Truman Doctrine ** The Truman Doctrine was created by Harry Truman when the Soviet Union was threatening to take control of Turkey and Greece. He asked Congress to help these countries. This showed the American people that Truman wanted to keep peace within the world and help others (39). **NATO ** The North Atlantic Treaty Organization was established in April 1949. The countries of the U.S., the U.K., France, Italy, Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, Denmark, Norway, Portugal, Iceland, and Canada all signed the agreement. The organization agreed that an attack on any one nation in the treaty would be considered an attack on every nation in the organization. Later in the 1950s, Turkey, Greece, and West Germany also joined NATO. Review __Multiple Choice Questions__ **
 * “Good Neighbor Policy” **
 * United Nations **
 * The Marshall Plan **


 * 1) What was the main goal of the Marshall Plan?
 * 2) To mend relations with the Soviet Union
 * 3) To help European countries rebuild their economy after the war
 * 4) To end the use of nuclear bombs
 * 5) To set up the U.N.
 * 6) To form a world currency
 * 7) Why was the 22nd Amendment created?
 * 8) Because people did not like Truman and did not want him to have too many terms
 * 9) To preserve George Washington's precedent of having 2 terms
 * 10) To allow less of a chance for the president to become a king
 * 11) In response to FDR's four terms because many felt he was president for too long
 * 12) None of the above
 * 13) How does WWII lead to the cold war?
 * 14) The use of atomic bombs
 * 15) The growing animosity between the United States and the Soviet Union
 * 16) The growing tensions in Europe
 * 17) None of the above
 * 18) All of the above
 * 19) What were the new independences in the 1940's?
 * 20) Choice of dress for women
 * 21) More opportunities in the workplace for women
 * 22) More opportunities in the workplace for blacks
 * 23) More opportunities in the workplace for Japanese
 * 24) Equal pay for all races
 * 25) What were the four powerhouses of the United Nations after WWII ended?
 * 26) U.S., U.K., Italy, Germany
 * 27) Soviet Union, U.K., Japan, Ethiopia
 * 28) U.S., China, Switzerland, Germany
 * 29) U.K., U.S., China, Soviet Union
 * 30) None of the above


 * __ Short Essay Question __**

How did the 1940s pull the U.S. out of the Great Depression and into the prosperity of the 1950s?


 * __Works Cited__**
 * 1) REA Review Book. By Gregory Feldmeth, Jerome McDuffie, Ph.D, Gary Piggrem, Ph. D., Steven E. Woodworth, Ph. D.
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 * 12)  Grubin, David.   [|http://www.pbs.org/jewishamericas/jewish_life/holocaust.html]
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 * 37)  [|http://www.whitehouse.gov/about/presidents/franklindroosevelt]
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