World War II and the Tuskegee Airmen

• The American Stock Market crash in October 1929 led to the Great Depression.
• Europe also struggled economically after World War I.
• World War II began in September 1939 with Hitler's invasion of Poland.
• All men ages 21-36 had to register for the Armed forces after passing a physical test
• Most Americans initially preferred focusing on rebuilding the economy rather than interfering with World War II.
• America sent money and supplies to the Allied forces.
• Japan Bombed Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, on December 7, 1941.
• There were concerns that Japan might invade the West Coast after Pearl Harbor attacks.
• Japanese Americans faced discrimination, with over 127,000 being forced into relocation centers in the Western US, which were constructed similarly to camps.
• Over 500,000 Americans and over 900,000 African Americans served in the military during World War II.

Tuskegee Airmen

• The Tuskegee Airmen were the first African American military aviators in the US Armed Forces.
• All black military pilots trained at Tuskegee University in Alabama.
• The Tuskegee Airmen flew 15,000 offensive strikes, completed 1500 missions and destroyed more than 260 aircrafts.
• They sunk one enemy destroyer, and demolished many enemy installations.

Navajo Code Talkers

• Native Americans were recruited as "Code Talkers" to send coded messages that the enemy never deciphered.

Women Volunteers

• Over 350,000 women served in the Armed Forces.
• They served in the Women’s Army Corps, Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service, Women’s Auxiliary Ferrying Squadron, and Women Airforce Service Pilots.

Civil Defense Organizations

• Civilians contributed an hour a day as firefighters, police, and in emergency services for food, housing, and medical needs.
• Air-raid wardens patrolled neighborhoods to enforce blackouts.

America At Work

• The "We Can Do It" poster with Rosie the Riveter symbolized women taking on tough jobs.
• Women and minorities took on farming roles, helping to keep food supplies steady.
• By 1945, 3 million women were working in various jobs.

Shortages and Rationing

• Drivers were limited to 3 gallons of gasoline a week.
• There were also shortages in metals like aluminum and tin.
• People recycled metal cans, foil, and old automobiles.
• Rubber, nylon, and silk stockings were used to make ropes, supplies, parachutes.
• Over 300 consumer items were banned from production.
• Children sold war bonds, hosted scrap drives, collected materials, and volunteered in hospitals.

Food Rationing

• The Office of Price Administration (OPA) rationed food.
• The OPA gave each American a ration book, with stamps that had different values.
• Some items could only be bought with government stamps.

Spam

• Spam, made by the Hormel Company, was not rationed.
• Leftover Spam was used to make dishes like "hash" or with potatoes or macaroni.

Victory Gardens

• People were encouraged to grow "Victory Gardens" in backyards or community spaces.
• By 1943, over 2 million Victory gardens were planted.
• This produced over ⅓ of the vegetables that Americans consumed.
• Magazines shared ideas for meals based on the rations and food available.

Meatless Tuesdays and Wheatless Wednesdays

• Families avoided eating meat on Tuesdays and wheat on Wednesdays to save supplies for troops.

War Bonds

• The war cost $330 billion, which was partly funded by a five percent "victory tax".
• War bonds ranged from $25 - $10,000, and the government promised to pay them back with interest in ten years.
• Americans and businesses bought $135 billion worth of war bonds.
• Famous movie stars advertised these war bonds
• By 1945 more than half of all America owned war bonds.

Fashion

• Trends from Paris stopped due to Hitler's invasion of France.
• The U.S government rationed and limited the cloth and materials to make civilian clothing
• The "Utility Look" was made for simpler designs and used less material.
• Women used Nylon as as silk replacement
• Nylon also became scarce and women used eyebrow pencils to create the look of having stockings.

Sports

• Sports continued during World War II.
• Baseball, basketball and football grew in popularity.
• Jackie Robinson became the first Black player in Major League Baseball in 1947.
• The NBA was founded in 1946.
• George Mikan was a dominant player for the Minnesota Lakers and helped them win several championships.
• NFL games started to be televised.
• Joe Louis was a heavyweight champion and symbol of strength during WWII.
• Louis's fight against Max Schmeling in 1938 as seen as a symbol of good versus evil.
• Sugar Ray Robinson is considered one of the greatest boxers of all time.

Entertainment

• The government promoted the war effort through entertainment.
• You could watch a full length cartoon, a newsreel about war, and a feature film for just 27 cents.
• Shows showed the hardships that people do in war, and how hard they work.

Entertaining the Troops

• The USO's goal was to “lift the morale of the troops and support the home front”
• The USO Service Clubs offered military members a place to relax, and read, and participate in activities.
• USO Camp Shows were made up of 228 touring companies around military base to military base.
• Some entertainers spent over 8 months touring bases, and sometimes traveled in hazardous areas.
• The Hospital Circuit allowed celebrities, singers, artists, and dancers to perform in hospital wards.
• Bob Hope was the most iconic performer of the USO.

Comic Strips & Comic Books

• Comic strips in newspapers featured characters like Joe Palooka and Dick Tracy joining the war effort.
• Comic books featured superheroes like Captain Marvel, Superman, and Batman fighting real-life enemies.
• Disney characters contributed to wartime propaganda.
• The cartoon “Der Fuehrer’s Face” portrayed anti-Nazi themes.

Radio

• The first live reports of the war came in 1938 from the invasion of Czechoslovakia.
• Edward R. Murrow was a famous news reporter.
• The Office of War monitored broadcasts, and weather reports were no longer included in broadcast.

The Music of the 1940’s

• Music lifted spirits, promoted American values, and encouraged troops.

Sentimental Songs

• Popular songs were about the separation of soldiers from their families.
• “White Christmas”, “I’ll Be Home for Christmas”, and “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” helped people cope with the difficulties of war.

Swing Music

• Swing music was the most popular music genre.
• Swing music was lively, upbeat, and perfect for dancing.

Big Bands of the 1940’s

• Featured rhythm sections, saxophones, brass, and solo performances.
• Popular bandleaders, like Benny Goodman, led bands with their own unique sounds.
• Benny Goodman popularized swing jazz with hits like "Sing, Sing, Sing" and "Let's Dance."
• Goodman was also notable for having integrated bands with both black and white musicians.
• “The King of Swing” - Benny Goodman

The Glenn Miller Orchestra

• Glenn Miller 's band had hits like "Chattanooga Choo Choo” and "Moonlight Serenade.”
• Chattanooga Choo Choo was so successful it earned Miller the first gold record.
• "Chattanooga Choo Choo was so successful it earned Miller the first gold record.

Glenn Miller and the War Effort

• Joined the Army in 1942 and organized military bands, performing for soldiers.
• He went missing on December 15, 1944, while traveling to Paris,
• Miller Disappeared and was presumed lost over the English Channel.
• In 1944, Glenn Miller disappeared while traveling to Paris to arrange performances.
• He boarded a military and his plane never arrived in France, so no wreckage was found.

Music in Wartime Films

• The Andrews sisters's song, “Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy” was a hit.
• “Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy” is about a talented trumpet player who boosts the morale of his fellow soldiers with his music.

American Musical Theatre

• The 1940s marked the Golden Age of American Musical Theater.
• "Oklahoma!" debuted on Broadway in 1943, becoming a huge hit and was taken to military bases

Art in the 1940’s

• Basically just propaganda, and the purpose was get people emotionally and physically involved.
• Posters showed the enemy as evil, built national pride, and helped raise money.

Norman Rockwell

• Made patriotic wartime works of his own, rather than just for the government.
• His works were very popular, and reflected American culture.

The Four Freedoms

• Rockwell created 4 pieces called the 4 freedoms
• Inspired by President Roosevelt’s 1941 State of the Union address
• FDR said: everyone deserves four basic freedoms: freedom of speech, freedom of worship, freedom from want, and freedom from fear.

Rosie the Riveter

• It was published on the The Saturday Evening Post’s magazine front cover in May 1943.
• Rosie was inspired by the song “ Rosie the Riveter” and women
• Working in factories and shipyards
• Rockwell’s artwork shaped the public’s opinion, and boosted American morale.

Conclusion

• American culture was greatly influenced by WW2 in the 1940s.
• Civilians were involved in warfare
• 1940s innovations are often known as a time when America was at its best.