women's roles in world war 2
World War II defines America and widened the horizons of many American women. All women who were involved in the war shared in the patriotism of the war, but the devastation in Europe, the unleashing of atomic weapons on Japan, the deaths of loved ones, and the emotional difficulties many men faced in coming home, made women question war as a means of solving international problems. Although many knew the war had opened new opportunities to them and their loved ones, it also brought abiding sorrow and a sense that the world had entered a new phase of its history. Women on the home front played a big part in the war efforts and accomplished very much. In 1939 the Depression was still very much on everyone's mind. Nearly one third of all Americans had been out of work in 1933 (The Timetables of History pg. 79). Many of those who were working were working part time or at a reduced pay. Government intervention during the Depression had mainly given jobs to men. There was a lot of discrimination against women, especially in the "better" jobs like teaching, civil service, and secretarial work. Men and women had different types of jobs. Women did clerical work, or worked on the lower sca
It turns out women did have the chance to be in the military during the war. On May 28th, 1941, Congresswoman Rogers introduced a bill to establish a Woman's Army Auxiliary Corps for service with the Army of the U.S (Mark J. Harris-The Home front: America During World War II). By virtue of its being an auxiliary corps there was no hint of full military status for women. The bill was passed and about 2 months later, women were being trained. Women served overseas through 1945. From there women were sent to Italy to serve with the 5th Army and these women moved all over Italy during the Italalian campaign handling the communications; they earned commendations, bronze stars and the respect of their fellow soldiers. Ironically, women weren't in the Navy, Marines and Coast Guard because regulations did not permit them to serve overseas until the war was almost over. Countless women served in all branches of the service stateside and relieved or replaced men for combat duty overse! The roles that women took on once the war started changed many people's lives including their own by the time the war was over. While the men were at war, the women at home took over jobs, took care of the children, some joined the military to help fight for our country, and basically handled everything back home. Some women stayed in the labor force even after the war was over. The Depression had been especially hard on Blacks. As a rule, they were the last hired, and the
Some common words found in the essay are:
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Approximate Word count = 985
Approximate Pages = 4 (250 words per page double spaced)
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