In 1941 the United States was still recovering from the great depression. The jobless rate had been as high as 25 percent, bankruptcy was not uncommon, and the standard of living for most Americans was 60 percent lower than before the stock market crash of 1929. When the war started, all that changed. More people were needed to produce the food and weapons for the men on the front lines. The new jobs were taken by many who had been out of work for several years. As more men were sent away to fight, women were hired to take over their positions on the assembly lines.
Before World War II, women had generally been discouraged from working outside the home. Now they were being encouraged to take over jobs that had been traditionally considered "men's work." existing companies changed their lines from consumer goods to war materials, and new plants were constructed strictly for the creation of products for the war effort. In Ankeny, the Des Moines ordinance plant was already under construction when war was declared. By 1942, .30 and .50 caliber machine gun ammunition began to roll off the line. Jeanne Ersland of Ankeny, formerly Jeanne Gibson, was among the 19,000 people who worked at the facility.
“I think they gave us a short indoctrination as to what we were there for, and then they took us right to the working area. I stayed in that same working area all the time that i was there. I think the patriotism came as it progressed and I was thinking of going on into the service."
After more than a year at the ordinance plant, Ersland joined the United States Marine Corps Women's Reserve. Following training at Camp LeJune, she was assigned to Cherry Point North Carolina and worked as an aircraft engine mechanic.
FAQs
American factories were retooled to produce goods to support the war effort and almost overnight the unemployment rate dropped to around 10%. As more men were sent away to fight, women were hired to take over their positions on the assembly lines.
What were the effects of WWII on the economy and workforce? ›
Many businesses moved from the production of consumer goods to the production of war supplies and military vehicles. American companies began producing guns, planes, tanks, and other military equipment at an unbelievable rate. As a result, there were more jobs available, and more Americans went back to work.
How did World War 2 affect the workforce in the United States quizlet? ›
16,000,000 American men and women served in the US forces which solved the unemployment crisis. In 1939 9,500,000 people were unemployed, in 1944 there were only 670,000! General Motors also helped unemployment as they took on 750,000 workers. The USA was the only country to become economically stronger because of WW2.
How did the US economy change after WWII? ›
Gross national product (GNP), which measured all goods and services produced, skyrocketed to $300 billion by 1950, compared to just $200 billion in 1940. By 1960, it had topped $500 billion, firmly establishing the United States as the richest and most powerful nation in the world.
What important economic effect did World War II have on the United States responses? ›
Foremost among these trends was the expansion of employment, which paralleled the expansion of industrial production. In 1944, unemployment dipped to 1.2 percent of the civilian labor force, a record low in American economic history and as near to “full employment” as is likely possible (Samuelson).
How did the US workforce change during World War II? ›
The war production effort brought immense changes to American life. As millions of men and women entered the service and production boomed, unemployment virtually disappeared. The need for labor opened up new opportunities for women and African Americans and other minorities.
How did World War II impact us today? ›
The growth and sophistication of military weapons throughout the war created new uses, as well as new conflicts, surrounding such technology. World War II allowed for the creation of new commercial products, advances in medicine, and the creation of new fields of scientific exploration.
What economic challenges did America face after WWII? ›
What economic challenges did America face after the war? Housing shortages, employment, readjustment to family life, lower wages, and shortages of goods.
Why did worker productivity increase after WWII? ›
US labor productivity has generally increased year over year since the end of World War II. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, 11–20% of labor productivity growth between 1948 to 1990 can be attributed to increases in educational levels.
How did the US role change after ww2? ›
World War II transformed the United States from a midlevel global power to the leader of the “free world.” With this rapid rise in power and influence, the United States had to take on new responsibilities, signaling the beginning of the "American era."
During WWI, economic growth continued and even accelerated as the United States mobilized for the war in Europe. After the war ended in November 1918, the global economy began to decline. Between 1916 and 1921, the U.S. economy experienced two recessions.
What was the aftermath of ww2 in the United States? ›
Following World War II, the United States began an economic boom that brought unparalleled prosperity to a majority of its citizens and raised Americans expectations, breeding a belief that most economic and social problems could be solved.
What was the most important effect of World War II on the United States? ›
The most important effect of World War II on the United States was the transformation of the country into a global superpower. Here's why: 1. **Economic Growth:** During the war, the U.S. became the "Arsenal of Democracy," supplying allies with war materials.
Which of the following were economic effects of World War II? ›
The two significant economic impacts include increased production of war-related goods and increased labor strikes. The war led to a manufacturing boom as industries shifted to producing war materials, therefore increasing the production of war-related goods.
How did WWII affect labor? ›
World War II posed additional challenges for American workers. Women moved in increasing numbers into jobs formerly occupied by men, who left work to fight in Europe and the Pacific. More blacks also entered the manufacturing workforce.
What are three effects of WWII? ›
The aftermath of World War II was also defined by the rising threat of nuclear warfare, the creation and implementation of the United Nations as an intergovernmental organization, and the decolonization of Asia and Africa by European and East Asian powers, most notably by the United Kingdom, France, and Japan.
How does war affect the economy? ›
Putting aside the very real human cost, war has also serious economic costs – damage to infrastructure, a decline in the working population, inflation, shortages, uncertainty, a rise in debt and disruption to normal economic activity.
