The Impact of WWII on America Flashcards
What was Isolationism?
America’s policy to not involve itself in any International conflict
What was the Neutrality Act? When was it passed?
- banned loans to countries who were fighting
- 1935
What was FDR’s ‘Quarantine’ speech? When did he give it?
- said that peaceful countries should stand up to aggressive countries
- was referring to Germany, Italy and Japan
-1937
What happened in September 1939? What did FDR declare?
- WWII broke out
- FDR declared support for the allies
What was the ‘Cash and Carry Plan’? When did it begin?
- November 1939
- the Allies began buying American weapons
What was the impact of ‘Cash and Carry Plan’ on American society?
created valuable jobs, at a time when unemployment was rising
What did America do in 1940, when Germany defeated France?
FDR gave Britain 50 warships
What was ‘Lend Lease’? When did it happen?
- March 1941
- gave Britain $7000 million worth of weapons, knowing that they’d never get it back
What was the impact of ‘Lend Lease’?
created even more valuable jobs, so unemployment began to fall
How was unemployment impacted by WWII?
- 1941: 5.5 million
- 1944: 670,000
When did America join WWII? Why?
- December 1941
- Japanese Bomber Planes attacked Pearl Harbour
What proportion of the American public supported America going to war?
90%
Between 1940 and 1945, how did the number of women in work change?
- increased from 12 mn to 19mn
- women made up 1/3 of the workforce
What types of work did women do during WWII?
traditionally ‘male’ jobs
↳ lumberjacks etc.
How many women joined the armed forces? What was the WACs?
- 200,000
↳ Women’s Army Corps
What were the wages of women like, compared to men?
earned only 50% to 60% of men’s wage
What happened to many women in 1945? (in regard to their jobs)
- they returned to traditional roles
How did gender roles remain the same for women?
- they were still objectified
- couldn’t fight in combat
What was the FEPC? What did it do?
the Fair Employment Practice Committee
↳ reported on discrimination, to improve the civil rights of Americans
How many African-Americans fought in WWII?
1 million
What could African American women do in the war? What was the problem with this?
- they could become nurses
↳ but could only treat black soldiers
What were AA allowed to do after 1941?
- become pilots
- become officers
How many African-American pilots were their during WWII?
600
Who was an AA pilot?
- Lee Rayford
But how did the lives of AA not change after the war?
- Jim Crow Laws remained
- still faced discrimination
