The Role of Women in World War II

The entry of the US into World War II was prompted by the bombing of the Pearl Harbor and this necessitated the demand for women power. After World War I the role of women seemed destined, however, due to the experiences and skills gained during the war, many refuted going back to the obvious roles in society. Conventionally, wars tear families apart, factual accounts and information reveal that World War II is not an isolated case given the intensity of its effects on families. The effects on race and gender, the changing of roles, and the involvement of the US in World War II form the springboard for this paper.

In the wake of 1942, there was a tremendous change in the roles of women in the world war, this was prompted by the increasing demand for women power which in turn originated from the growing manpower shortage in the military (Goldin, & Olivetti, 2013). Events prior to World War II saw America have a serious debate on whether or whether not to use the women in their armed forces. Notably, as their male counterparts went to the battlefields, they were left to perform non-combat jobs which included, driving, operating the switchboards, and even telegraphs.

The World War II saw more than one hundred thousand women serve in the women’s Army Corps, others even joined the United States Navy, and the fall of 1942 prompted the Women’s Air Force to start training the female pilots whom were tasked with flying planes to military bases across the US. However, before they could be assigned these roles, their suitability and capability had to be tested. Due to the sending off of men to the battlefields, a production gap was created especially on the products to be used in the war. These events prompted the need to have women in the production line to offset the gross shortage that was being experienced in factories and the manufacturing plants. The motive behind women wanting to take up new positions in the production sector was prompted by the much-spirited propaganda that was distributed through print, film, and radio; Rosie the Riveter formed the name given to the women behind the posters.

World War II made the roles of the women who were initially working in the fields “predominated by women-pink collar secretarial positions, domestic jobs, and lower paying positions” become eager to venture into new job opportunities. It was not long enough before women started performing roles that were initially believed to be done by their male counterparts, these included, being taxi and streetcar drivers, operating heavy construction machinery, making of munitions, and even working in lumber and steel mills. The recruitment of over sixteen million males into the military, created a gap for the employers to recruit women, during this time, there was a common say, ‘Do the job he left behind’ (Goldin, & Olivetti, 2013).

The participation of women and minority ethnic groups in world war II

During world war II, all the groups in the US were treated equal. The participation of the minority groups in the war negated the American ideology at the time. The fight was majorly focused on the assumption that there was a superior race as propagated by the European Nazi regime. The soldiers working on this front were well aware of the racial discrimination and they started the Double V campaign to counter the double standards that were being practiced. The minority groups gave reasons and showed their patriotism by participating in the war. Also, they wanted to be identified and feel some sense of belonging. They wanted to show their identity and pride in their country. The Japanese-Americans sent the large number of soldiers to the war, this was especially those from Hawaii. Others took a strategic approach with the thinking that after the war, they could return as war veterans and the government could see the sense of ending racial discrimination as well as segregation. Besides, there were those that got involved because of financial security and securing jobs. Unfortunately, no matter the reasons that prompted them to join in the war, they further faced racial discrimination while in the armed forces.

Progressive Primary Era

The progressive era marked the period when there was a widespread social activism as well as the political reforms that cut across the US. The period spanned from 1890s to the 1920s. The Progressive movement aimed at addressing the challenges that were caused by industrialization, urbanization, immigration, and the political corruption that characterized the system during that period. Even though industrialization impacted the lives of many positively, it had a black side. The activities of the progressive reformers were based on some assumptions like improvement of human nature through the enlightened application of regulations, incentives, and punishments. Another assumption that the reformers based their argument was on the suitability of harnessing the power of the federal government with the aim of improving the individual lives as well as to transform the society. Nevertheless, these two assumptions could not be shared by the political conservatives who belonged to a different school of thought and they believed that the human nature was unchanging and the federal government ought to remain put on the size and the scope of its mandate. 

Vietnam war primary reader  

The United States Congress overwhelming approved the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution that gave President Lyndon unlimited power to oppose communist aggression. This is because South Vietnam was in a serious danger of the communist insurgency yet it was a close ally of the US in Asia.

In conclusion, therefore, World War II lead to so many changes especially on the roles of women in the American society. The roles that were initially associated with men changed and women were ready to take up the responsibility of keeping the families intact as the men were sent to the battlefields. Consequently, even after the war, they changed the narrative of destined duties. On the other hand, sexism and racism was also brought out during the war. Notably, there was segregation even in the armed forces.

Reference

Goldin, C., & Olivetti, C. (2013). Shocking labor supply: A reassessment of the role of World War II on women’s labor supply. American Economic Review, 103(3), 257-62.