(3c) Social and Cultural Changes

Question 1

WPA support for writers and musicians:

Overview

Answer 1

The WPA was given funding in order to encourage photographers and musicians to capture everyday American life during the Depression.

- Impact: artists, musicians, writers and photographers all had paid employment
- Impact: the government had a record of everyday life and the struggles faced by ordinary Americans

Question 2

WPA support for writers and musicians:

Photographers

Answer 2

Over 80,000 images were compiled by photographers such as Walker Evans, Ben Fields, Arthur Rothstein and Dorothea Lange (Migrant Mother).

Question 3

WPA support for writers and musicians:

Federal Writers’ Project

Answer 3

• 6,600 writers and authors.

- 2,300 first person slave narratives with 500 photos published as Unchained Memories.

Question 4

WPA support for writers and musicians:

Federal Music Project

Answer 4

• The music programme was particularly successful in schools and improving performance among adults.
• Funding was cut and, although not officially terminated, the project ended in 1943 with the WPA.

Question 5

The growing power of radio and popular music:

Radio

Answer 5

• Important role in entertaining and keeping people up to date with the war. FDR encouraged people to follow events through news broadcasts using a map.
• Many radio stations had war correspondents: such as Edward R Murrow were influential in garnering support for Britain via his accounts of the Blitz on London.
• Propaganda programmes such as Lest We Forget 1943-48 and You Can’t Do Business with Hitler 1942 both informed listeners of the necessity of WW2 and American involvement.

Question 6

The growing power of radio and popular music:

Music

Answer 6

• Golden age of swing, big bands, jazz, crooners and sentimental songs.
• Songs written that connected with war events such as ‘Remember Pearl Harbour’ and ‘Hats Off to McArthur’ (battle for the Philippines).
• Songs reflected emotions of troops and loved ones left behind.
  
  • The Andrews Sisters ‘Don’t Sit Under the Apple Tree With Anyone Else But Me’
• 1941 - 1947: estimated 293,738 performances were given by artists that were part of United Service Overseas
• Frank Sinatra went on to become a superstar during WW2. First teenage idol to the ‘bobbysoxers’ (teenage girls).

Question 7

Growing influence of Hollywood

Answer 7

• Produced patriotic films and also films of escapism.
  
  • Escapism: Glamorous musicals (Betty Gable) + sentimental films.
  • Morale Boosting: Showed home front in positive light. (Yankee Doodle Dandy, 1942) or where Nazis were villains (Casablanca, 1942).
• Hollywood stars entertained troops (in war zones).
  
  • Bette Davis set up Hollywood Canteen in 1942 which distributed food to troops as well as a dance with a star.

Question 8

Wartime Domestic Propaganda:

Overview

Answer 8

• Office of War Information set up in 1942.
• Set up to coordinate the filming and recording of wartime activities.
• Documentaries made to celebrate war effort and boost moral (Directors = John Ford, Frank Capra, and George Stevens.)

Question 9

Wartime Domestic Propaganda:

War Bonds

Answer 9

• A loan to the govt to help fund the war.
• Marketed as a way for people to get involved and to earn a profit.
• September 1942: ‘Bond blitz’ raised more than $800 million after 300 actors worked 18 hour days promoting war bonds.

Question 10

Wartime Domestic Propaganda:

Disney

Answer 10

• Disney studios taken over by military. - 90% of workers became involved in producing training films. - 68hrs of footage produced.
• Used cartoon characters to boost morale and provide subtle messages about the evils of the enemy.
  
  • Der Fuhrer’s Face feat. Donald Duck (won best animation at 1943 Oscars.)