Skip to main content

Did World War II set the stage for racial and gender change within American society?

In many ways, World War II set the stage for racial and gender change in American society.


Men who went off to serve the military left behind jobs that needed to be filled.  Women were being asked to fill these vacancies. The iconic image of "Rosie the Riveter" represented how women were an active part of the work force during the war.  Full page advertisements were directed at women asking them if they were doing...

In many ways, World War II set the stage for racial and gender change in American society.


Men who went off to serve the military left behind jobs that needed to be filled.  Women were being asked to fill these vacancies. The iconic image of "Rosie the Riveter" represented how women were an active part of the work force during the war.  Full page advertisements were directed at women asking them if they were doing all they could to help the war effort. The result was a transformation in how women saw themselves. During the war years, Women represented a significant portion of the American labor pool. In addition to this, thousands of women participated in the Armed Services. These positions helped to transform possibilities for women. When the war was over, men returned to the work force. However, women believed that they could be more and do more, reflecting how World War II changed gender roles.


The way that people of color saw themselves also changed as a result of World War II.  African- Americans volunteered for military service.  Many were active participants in the fight against fascism.  They fought for American democracy, even though they themselves were not able to experience its full promises and possibilities because of racial segregation. From a cultural standpoint, African- Americans began to ask the fundamental question of why, if they were good enough to sacrifice their lives for American freedom, should they be denied opportunity in America?  As a result, African- Americans began to start thinking about democracy "at home and abroad." When Truman desegregated the U.S. Armed forces after the war in 1948, it began a new thought process:  If the military could be racially integrated, why not other parts of American society?  In this way, significant racial change was envisioned as a result of World War II. 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

What is hyperbole in the story "The Gift of the Magi" by O. Henry?

The most obvious use of hyperbole in "The Gift of the Magi" occurs when the narrator describes Della's and Jim's evaluations of their two treasures—her long, luxuriant hair and his gold watch. Had the Queen of Sheba lived in the flat across the airshaft, Della would have let her hair hang out the window some day to dry just to depreciate Her Majesty's jewels and gifts. Had King Solomon been the janitor, with all his... The most obvious use of hyperbole in "The Gift of the Magi" occurs when the narrator describes Della's and Jim's evaluations of their two treasures—her long, luxuriant hair and his gold watch. Had the Queen of Sheba lived in the flat across the airshaft, Della would have let her hair hang out the window some day to dry just to depreciate Her Majesty's jewels and gifts. Had King Solomon been the janitor, with all his treasures piled up in the basement, Jim would have pulled out his watch every time he passed, just to see him plu
Post a Comment
Read more

How can I analyze Moon and Six Pence by Somerset Maugham?

In "Moon and Sixpence," loosely based on the life of Paul Gaugin, Maugham presents a study of the tension between the "civilized" life of 19th century Europe, and the lead character's desire to throw off the shackles of bourgeois life. Charles Strickland is a middle-aged English stockbroker with a wife and family. By abandoning his domestic life, Strickland commits what many in European society would consider a gross betrayal of one of the foundations of... In "Moon and Sixpence," loosely based on the life of Paul Gaugin, Maugham presents a study of the tension between the "civilized" life of 19th century Europe, and the lead character's desire to throw off the shackles of bourgeois life. Charles Strickland is a middle-aged English stockbroker with a wife and family. By abandoning his domestic life, Strickland commits what many in European society would consider a gross betrayal of one of the foundations of that society. His decision to e
Post a Comment
Read more

What are some literary devices in Macbeth, Act V, Scene 1?

Act V, Scene i of Macbeth certainly continues the imagery that is prevalent in the play with its phantasmagoric realm, as in this scene a succession of things are seen or imagined by Lady Macbeth. Imagery - The representation of sensory experience Lady Macbeth imagines that she sees bloody spots (visual imagery) on the stairs; she also smells blood (olfactory imagery): Here's the smell of the blood still. All the perfumes of Arabia will not... Act V, Scene i of Macbeth certainly continues the imagery that is prevalent in the play with its phantasmagoric realm, as in this scene a succession of things are seen or imagined by Lady Macbeth. Imagery - The representation of sensory experience Lady Macbeth imagines that she sees bloody spots (visual imagery) on the stairs; she also smells blood (olfactory imagery): Here's the smell of the blood still. All the perfumes of Arabia will not sweeten this little hand. Oh! oh, oh! (5.1.53-55) Hyperbole - Obvious exaggeration  There is also h
Post a Comment
Read more