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Impact of WWII on American Society and Labor Mobilization

The scope of mobilization in WWII included 31 million registered for the draft and 15 million serving in the armed forces. Approximately 700,000 black Americans served, facing discrimination and segregation. Women seized opportunities with 350,000 enlisted in various branches, facing discrimination and limited combat roles. The workforce shifted dramatically, with 7 million new workers, including women, employed in defense industries. Rosie the Riveter symbolized women's industrial labor. Organized labor initially agreed to a "no strike" pledge, with key gains in wages and working conditions, despite disparities. Civil rights activism grew, parallel to labor movements. Economic shifts saw a surge in federal spending, doubling per capita income. Demographic changes and strained resources led to a "Great Migration" and increased racial tensions. The impact of WWII echoes in civil rights, feminism, the military-industrial complex, and the nuclear age.

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Impact of WWII on American Society and Labor Mobilization

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  1. WWII: Effects on American Life

  2. Scope of Mobilization • # of people who registered for the draft = 31 million • # of people who served in the armed forces = 15 million

  3. Mobilization for black Americans • Approx. 700,000 black Americans served, in all branches, in segregated units • NAACP, “A Jim Crow army cannot fight for a free world.” • Most assigned to menial duties

  4. Women in the War: Opportunity • Approx 350,000 women enlisted in the armed services -140,000 WAC (Women’s Army Corps) -100,000 WAVES (Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service) -23,000 members of the Marine Corps Women’s Reserve -13,000 SPARs (for Semper Paratus [always ready, USCG]

  5. Women in the War: Discrimination • Women were barred from combat • Social lives of women soldiers were more strictly regulated than men • Most military jobs reflected societal stereotypes – clerical work, communications, and health care

  6. Workers & the War Effort • When millions of citizens entered military service, a huge hole opened in the American workforce • The backlog of depression-era unemployment quickly disappeared & the US faced a critical labor shortage • Defense industries employed about 7 million new workers, including women

  7. Women & IndustryRosie the Riveter • Gov’t planners “discovered” women while looking for industrial labor • Propaganda: “Rosie” • Women were given high paying jobs as riveters, welders, and drill-press operators • Women made up 36% of the workforce in 1945 (up from 24% prior to the war) • However, women were only “filling-in” while the men were away • Lower pay

  8. Organized Labor • Responded with an initial burst of patriotic unity… “no strike” pledge • National War Labor Board: established wages, hours, & working conditions • Incomes rose as much as 70% despite wage ceilings • However, many unions felt cheated as corporate profits soared in relation to wages

  9. Civil Rights • Just as labor sought to benefit from the war, African Americans manifested a new mood of militancy • Black leaders pointed out parallels between anti-Semitism in Germany and racial discrimination at home • “Double V” campaign: victory over Nazism abroad and victory over racism and inequality at home.

  10. Prior to the war, the fed. gov’t took little action for civil rights • A. Philip Randolph (Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters) – announced a plan to march on Washington in 1941 -Executive Order 8802: “there shall be no discrimination in the employment of workers in defense industries or gov’t because of race, creed, color, or national origin.” -Fair Employment Practices Commission

  11. Economics • Federal defense spending had solved the depression: unemployment disappeared, per capita income more than doubled, despite some dislocations and shortages 70% of Americans reported “no real sacrifices” • Office of Price Administration: gas, rubber, meats, butter, sugar…

  12. Demographics • Military: when men entered the services, families often followed them to training bases or points of debarkation • Lure of high paying defense jobs • 15 million Americans moved during the war, much from rural areas to urban areas -result: housing strains, inadequate public transportation, another “Great Migration” and with it increased racial tensions

  13. Effects • Civil Rights movement • Feminist Movement • Military Industrial Complex • Nuclear Age

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