History and World War II - Essay Example

History and WWII Goes Here al Affiliation Goes Here This paper examines the changes that occurred in the United States after World War II. The focus will be on religion, class stratification, economics, politics, social justice, social statuses, and the changing role of women that occurred as a result of the Second World War. The Second World War changed the perception of the United States to the rest of the world and changed American's self perception as well. The United States left its isolationist past to take on a significant role in world politics and economics. 1. Religion It was not uncommon prior to World War Two for the schools in Brooklyn to close for the annual Sunday School Parade. 90,000 students participated at the 117th annual Sunday School Union Parade1. Pretty much all the youngsters in the neighborhood participated with parents, politicians, and any other significant persons lining the sidewalks waving affectionately. Religion was a major part of life in the United States prior to World War Two. It was religion that the soldiers took with them to war. And, it was religion that these same soldiers sought out upon their return. After the war some religious things did change. One of the first to go was the Sunday School Union Parade. Religion became more and more privatized with the arrival of new immigrants. Diversity divided religion along lines of race, ethnicity, and languages. Americans still longed for the spiritual values of the past but the country moved toward a more secular society.2 This secularization brought with it questionable behaviors that the churches forbade such as abortion. The place of religion in the public schools also became controversial. The church as a social institution was diminished. Religion for some became an adoption of a value system or deep seated convictions rather than attendance/membership in a church. River baptisms and tent meetings were things of the past.3 2. Class Stratifications, Social Justice, and Political Intervention. Many could feel the changes coming after the war. African Americans had made considerable contributions to the war effort despite being limited to black battalions in the Army, and ship's wards in the navy (servants). They felt (and rightly so) that they had earned an equal place in American Society. The return of soldiers was different dependent based upon race. Initially, in the cities, integration naturally occurred. Different races lived and worked side by side4. That quickly changed with white families moving to the newly built suburbs and black families moving into the cities to be closer to factory jobs. In essence society re-segregated itself. "Class based spatial segregation, which has risen since 1970, is magnified by racial discrimination."5 The black poor neighborhoods felt a disproportionate amount of economic pain and discrimination. What the African Americans wanted most was equal economic and social status.6 Although written before the Great War, the following quote sums up the feelings of the African American community post World War Two: "A man who is good enough to shed his blood for the country is good enough to be given a square deal afterward. More than that no man is entitled to and no less than that no man shall have. Theodore Roosevelt, Springfield, Illinois July 4th 1903".7 The United States military quickened the process of social equity in this country. Franklin Roosevelt signed an order in 1941 prohibiting discrimination in defense industries.8 Harry Truman ordered desegregation in the military in 1948. Dwight D. Eisenhower sent troops to ensure desegregation of Central High School in little Rock Arkansas. With the military and Federal Government in the lead the rest of the country slowly followed toward ending social inequities. 3. Politics and the Economy. World War I introduced the United States as a world power and World War II certainly solidified its position in global politics. Prior to World War Two the United States was seen as mostly a continental democracy. That changed much when the United States contributed arms and personnel to the fight. The lend lease act of 1941 gave aid to Britain in its fight against Germany. After the war was over the United States continued with its role of assisting. In 1947 the Truman Doctrine9 was presented to Congress. It asked for 400 Million in military and economic aid for Turkey and Greece. That same year The Marshall plan to help Europe rebuild was passed.10 Lastly, the United States converted its factories from a war machines to peacetime productions. Factories that had modified to build tanks were re-modified to once again produce cars. 4. Women after the War. It can be argued that the women of America have seen the greatest changes in roles socially, economically, and politically. During the war women entered the workforce to replace men who had gone to war. They also filled new jobs created to increase production for the war effort. American women were working full time jobs and being paid wages. After World War Two was over there remained the desire of women to continue working and earning a fair wage. For many this new role met the social and economic needs of women. Many women were not happy to remain homemakers but wanted to work. But, women were not content to accept lower wages because they were women. They wanted equal pay for equal work. Their speaking out was rewarded with the passing of the Equal Pay Act of 1963. Women were also sexually liberated with the introduction of the contraceptive pill in the 1960's. Although it is evident that women have made great strides in the workplace there are still inequities that need to be addressed. Most women go home after a full days work to begin their second full time job: wife, mother, caretaker, and cleaning woman. More and more men are chipping in to lesson the load on women and more women are asking for help (nanny, housekeeper, etc) References American Psychological Association (2001). Publication manual of the American Psychological Association (5th ed.). Washington, DC: American Psychological Association. Wuthnow, Robert. The Restructuring of American Religion: Society and Faith since World War II. 1990 Princeton University Press. Ackerman, Frank. The Political Economy of Inequality. 2000 Island Press. Page 156 Du Bois, W.E.B. What African Americans Want. 1903. Annals of American History. http://america.eb.america.articlearticleld=386485&query=american+social+status+after+world+war+two Accessed January 20, 2007 Barone, Micheal. An Examination of the 100 Documents that Most Define America As a Nation.Sept 23, 2003. U.S. News &World Report. SIRS Researcher SIRS Knowledge Source http://www.sirs.com Truman, Harry S. The Truman Doctrine. March 14th 1947. Denison, Edward Fulton. Trends in American Economic Growth, 1929-1982. Brookings Institution. Washington D.C. 1985. Read More