Social and Cultural Changes after the First and Second World Wars - Essay Example

SOCIAL AND CULTURAL CHANGES AFTER THE FIRST AND SECOND WORLD WARS Under the circumstances of the two World Wars societies across the world had no choice but to adapt and change. Harsh conditions of the wartime forced women to take an active role on labor market, many men died during those times, therefore everyone had to make certain adjustments. These changes were not only reflected on the societal level, arts, literature, philosophy and many more fields were affected by it as well. Some people wished to experience relief after the WWI (Hunt, 2009), yet when it was over the world became even more chaotic than before. The end of the WWII did not bring the end of tensions and conflicts, this time the world torn between the communistic and capitalistic ideologies. Political situation was polarized with Soviet Union focusing on national security and the US spreading the democracy that led to repartition of Europe (McCauley, 2008). With one form of totalitarianism defeated, with the ashes of Nazism literally scattered among the living and dead of that conflict, the tensions between East and West renewed themselves. In some respects, the Cold War was inevitable: the incompatibility between communism and capitalism, the differing opinions about the rights of man, cultural and ideological disagreements about the most profound issues including religion, personal identity, freedom of assembly, democracy -- all of these differences would (and did) come to the fore between the United States, Western Europe and the Soviet Union. And all of these differences were party the outcome of the WWI and WWII. In this paper I will address certain changes after both wars that were present in the societies of the US and Europe. Innovations in medicine Brutal reality of the wars contributed to the development of medical thought. A lot of soldiers were wounded and injured; their treatment became the upfront priority for the countries involved in the conflict as they have already lost a lot of men. The field of plastic surgery was rapidly developing as many men needed immediate treatment. (Hunt, 2009). Psychological damages that soldiers received also needed assistance. The work of psychologists cannot be underestimated (Merriman, 2010). All these demands forced the medical field to evolve and develop at an unprecedented speed. The field of vaccination industry was developing and was as effective as never before. Vaccine innovations were able to tackle such diseases as influenza and pneumococcal pneumonia that took millions of lives in the past. The work of doctors and scientists contributed to the mass production and usage of penicillin and developed vaccines that were able to prevent various diseases across the world (Hoyt, 2006). The changed role of women Most women had to substitute for men at home: more and more of them started taking jobs that only men performed before. During the World War Two more women served in the military compared to the First World War. Therefore the gender roles in the society shifted: women were no longer seen as housewives. All these changes contributed to the development of the international feminist movement that provided more rights to women and offered various opportunities to them. Activists all over the world advocated for the gender equality. Even though there are various debates whether women were granted voting rights as an outcome of WWI or not (Martin, 22 August, 2009), there is no doubt that women plaid crucial role during the wartime. Women did a lot of volunteer work in hospitals or even patrols (Martin, 22 August, 2009). During the World War Two they became even more active: women worked as pilots, typists and spies ("WW2: the role of women in the Second World War," 01 Sep 2009). Prior to the war only males occupied such positions. Women became an active part of labor market in Britain (Morelli, 2008) and Europe in general after the end of the WWII. This had a significant effect on the development and support of Trade Unions in the US and Europe. Since there were more people involved in trade unions the governments could no longer ignore demands of the workers as the strikes were massive and could paralyze cities. Thus the workers got a powerful bargaining tool allowing them to demand for their rights (Carter, Bernhard, & and Palmer, February 15, 2012). Workers became more vocal about their desires of social justice after the WWII. Precisely they were seeking for a different approach to the property relationships and “a more equitable distribution of income and wealth” in Europe (Halperin, 2004). African-Americans and civil rights movement in the US Various minority groups served in the military during both wars at the same time some of them fought for their civil right back at home. African-Americans in the US were also able to fight the discrimination and achieve some fruitful results. During the Second World War African Americans were not allowed to serve at certain military divisions in the US army, the forces were racially segregated ("African-American Soldiers in World War II Helped Pave Way for Integration of US Military," May 10, 2005). This segregation eventually erupted in violent protests and clashes with people being killed. However, the things changed after the US government decided to get rid of all the segregated black units and see if soldiers of African-American descent can perform the assigned military tasks just like other soldiers did ("African-American Soldiers in World War II Helped Pave Way for Integration of US Military," May 10, 2005). US government also employed certain legal actions in order to fight this discrimination and promote the racial integration ("America at War: World War II.  Social Changes During the War "). Nonetheless the second-class stigma remained in the US society even after the war was over. The fight for civil rights was not over for African-Americans and took a lot of effort to eliminate this discrimination (Booker, 2008). Most of the nations experienced major social and cultural changes after the end of WWI and WWII. People had their expectations and aspirations high as everyone was tired from long-lasting battles and confrontations. Clearly the relationship between the government and its nation is different at war time and at peace time (Fitzpatrick, 1989). Governments were able to impose a tight control over its population at war, whereas after the end of both wars citizens demanded their rights back and this time societies were different. The changes were highly needed and acknowledged. References African-American Soldiers in World War II Helped Pave Way for Integration of US Military. (May 10, 2005). from http://www.voanews.com/english/news/a-13-2005-05-10-voa47-67929177.html America at War: World War II.  Social Changes During the War from http://www.digitalhistory.uh.edu/database/article_display.cfm?HHID=545 Booker, B. D. (2008). African Americans in the United States Army in World War II. Jefferson, N.C.: London : McFarland. Carter, J., Bernhard, M., & and Palmer, G. (February 15, 2012). Social Revolution, the State, and War: How Revolutions affect War-Making Capacity and Interstate War Outcomes. Fitzpatrick, S. (1989). War and Society in Soviet Context: Soviet Labor before, during, and after World War II. International Labor and Working-Class History, No. 35, 37-52. Halperin, S. (2004). War and social change in modern Europe : the great transformation revisited. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. Hoyt, K. (2006). Vaccine Innovation: Lessons from World War II. Journal of Public Health Policy, Vol. 27, No. 1, 38-57. Hunt, L. (2009). The making of the West : peoples and cultures (3rd ed. ed.). Boston, Mass.: Bedford/St. Martins. Martin, S. (22 August, 2009). Women and WWI - Feminist and Non-Feminist Women: Between Collaboration and Pacifist Resistance. from http://www.firstworldwar.com/features/womenww1_three.htm McCauley, M. (2008). The origins of the Cold War, 1941-1949 (Rev. 3rd ed. ed.). Harlow: Pearson Longman. Merriman, J. M. (2010). A history of modern Europe (3rd ed. ed.). New York: W.W. Norton & Company. Morelli, C. a. T., Jim. (2008). Women and Work after the Second World War: A Case Study of the Jute Industry, Circa 1945–1954 (Vol. 19 (1), pp. 61-82). WW2: the role of women in the Second World War. (01 Sep 2009). from http://www.telegraph.co.uk/history/world-war-two/6099415/WW2-the-role-of-women-in-the-Second-World-War.html Read More