Unit 2: The Second World War and the Americas (1933–1945) Bullet 3 - Social impact of the Second World War; impact on women and minorities; conscription

Social Effects - Psychological Trauma There was psychological shock, but it was less than WWI because people knew: – What to expect – Feared the worst – There was a need for the war – The price of failure was unacceptable 1

The Impact of the War on Women 1940s – Role of a woman was still seen as a wife and mother 2

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Women and the War Effort ‘Male occupations’ – shipyards, aircraft factories and munitions 1 in 3 in aircraft were women, and half of those working in electronics and munitions were women 4

Wartime changes Some states made equal pay between men and women compulsory – Racial discrimination continued African American women – usually last to be hired 5

Detroit Riot, 1943

Wartime changes Women were generally excluded from the top, well-paid jobs On average women earned 50% - 60% of the wage that men earned 6

The Role of Women in the US Military during the War 7

US Women in the Army Women’s Army Auxiliary Corps (WAAC), established in 1941 Non-combatant military jobs that they were already trained (Clerical works) – Perpetuated employment stereotype – Not removing barriers 8

US Women in the Navy 1942 WAVES (Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service) – Female only division in the Navy 9

US Women in the Air Force Established the WASPs (Women Air force Service Pilots) to teach women to fly – 25,000 applied in 1943, 2,000 accepted and 1,000 graduated 10

Army Nurse Corps Served in theatres all over the world – 1944 the army granted nurses officer’s commissions, full retirement privileges, and equal pay 11

Social impact of the Second World War on African Americans

The Impact of the war on African Americans 12

A. Philip Randolph – March on Washington Movement Appalled at the discrimination in the war industries and US armed forces Slogan ‘We loyal Americans demand the right to work and fight for our country’ Scared of the ramifications of the march, Roosevelt met and came to a compromise with Randolph – Executive Order 8802 – FEPC (Fair Employment Practices Commission) to prevent discrimination at work Randolph encouraged protest rallies and civil disobedience 13

FEPC (Fair Employment Practices Commission) Investigated 8,000 instances of discrimination – Successful dealt with: 66% in NE, 62% Midwest, 55% West, and 20% in the South African American jobs at an all-time high after the war 14

Social impact of the Second World War on Native Americans

The Impact of the war on Native Americans Involvement began to lead to a greater demand for equal rights 350,000 live in the USA at the start of the war 15

The Impact of the war on Native Americans Navajo Tribe 400 members as code talkers for six Marine divisions – A code that was never broken by Japan during the war 16

The Impact of the war on Native Americans Average annual income for Native Americans from 1940 to 1944 improved by 250% 17

Social Impact of Conscription

Enacted September 16, 1940 (Selective Training and Service Act of 1940) 18

Social Impact of Conscription If selected had serve at least 1 year in the forces End of 1945, 50 million men registered for the draft, 10 million were drafted 19