World War II Part 2 - The Homefront: Crash Course US History #36

Summary

This episode of Crash Course U.S. History delves into the significant domestic changes during World War II. It explores how the war strengthened the federal government, boosted the economy, and led to industrial growth, especially on the West Coast. Women entered the workforce in large numbers, and African Americans, along with other minorities, began to challenge racial inequality. The episode also discusses FDR's ideological vision, the creation of the GI Bill, and the beginnings of the Civil Rights Movement. Overall, the video reflects on the transformation of American society, its economy, and the concept of freedom during and after the war.

Takeaways

• 😀 World War II brought significant changes to the United States, strengthening the federal government and increasing governmental control over the economy.
• 😀 The war led to a major economic boom, with unemployment dropping and industrial production reaching new heights, partly due to government spending and contracts.
• 😀 The U.S. government’s wartime economic policies included rationing, fixed prices, and production quotas, which helped control the economy during the war.
• 😀 By 1944, over a third of the civilian labor force was made up of women, significantly changing gender roles in the workforce during the war.
• 😀 The war expanded federal taxes significantly, with income tax withholding becoming a new norm, increasing the number of taxpayers from 4 million to 40 million.
• 😀 The GI Bill of Rights provided veterans with college education opportunities and mortgage assistance, spurring a post-war housing boom and contributing to the American middle class.
• 😀 Big businesses grew even larger during the war due to government contracts, with the 200 largest corporations controlling half of all corporate assets in America by the end of the war.
• 😀 FDR’s vision of 'Four Freedoms' (freedom of speech, worship, want, and fear) was central to the ideological fight during World War II, reflecting America’s commitment to liberal values.
• 😀 The war reshaped American identity, particularly with regards to race, highlighting contradictions between fighting fascism abroad and racial inequalities at home.
• 😀 The wartime period saw significant advancements in civil rights, with African Americans, women, and immigrants gaining more opportunities, though full equality was not yet achieved.

Q & A

How did World War II impact the federal government of the United States?

World War II significantly strengthened the federal government, with unprecedented intervention in the economy. Agencies like the War Production Board, War Manpower Commission, and Office of Price Administration took control of various sectors, such as rationing, wages, rents, and production quotas, resembling an expansion of New Deal policies.

What were the economic effects of World War II on the U.S. economy?

The war helped the U.S. economy recover from the Great Depression, reducing unemployment from 14% in 1940 to 2% by 1943. The war also triggered massive industrial production, with factories producing airplanes and ships at an unprecedented rate. The Gross National Product doubled, primarily due to increased federal spending and taxes.

How did World War II affect taxation in the United States?

World War II led to the introduction of federal income tax withholding from paychecks, a system that was previously not in place. The number of Americans paying taxes rose dramatically, from 4 million in 1940 to 40 million by the end of the war.

What role did women play in the workforce during World War II?

Women made up a significant portion of the workforce during the war, filling roles in factories and shipyards, with married women outnumbering single women in the workforce. However, many women were let go from their high-paying industrial jobs after the war, often being relegated to lower-paid work.

How did World War II affect race relations in the U.S.?

World War II had a profound impact on race relations in the U.S. African Americans fought in segregated regiments but also participated in the Great Migration, moving to northern and western cities for work. The war's rhetoric about freedom against racism sparked early civil rights movements, including A. Philip Randolph's march on Washington.

What were the 'Four Freedoms' and how did they relate to World War II?

The 'Four Freedoms' were outlined by FDR: freedom of speech, freedom of worship, freedom from want, and freedom from fear. These ideals served as a foundation for U.S. wartime propaganda and highlighted the nation's commitment to individual freedoms during the war.

What was the significance of the GI Bill of Rights?

The GI Bill of Rights provided returning veterans with opportunities for higher education and housing assistance, contributing to a post-war housing boom and improving the living standards of many veterans. By 1946, over a million veterans were enrolled in college.

What was Executive Order 9066 and its impact on Japanese Americans?

Executive Order 9066, issued in 1942, led to the internment of over 110,000 Japanese Americans, most of whom were U.S. citizens. They were forcibly relocated to internment camps on the West Coast, which is considered one of the worst civil rights violations in U.S. history.

How did the United States establish its economic dominance after World War II?

After the war, the U.S. established its economic dominance through agreements like the Bretton Woods Conference, where the U.S. dollar replaced the British pound as the dominant currency in international trade. This also led to the creation of the World Bank and IMF to assist in global economic rebuilding.

What was the role of the United States in the creation of the United Nations?

The United States played a leading role in the creation of the United Nations, which was established to promote peace and prevent future wars. The U.S. became one of the five permanent members of the Security Council, highlighting its commitment to international diplomacy and security.