Essay American Women of World War II - 1120 Words

Before 1939, women were looked at as weak, incompetent and incapable of doing a man’s job. However, when World War II broke out, women were called to maintain the jobs that the men once occupied and t became evident that America’s best chance for success in World War II would have to include the efforts of American females. Women played a key role during World War II in the U.S. More than six million women took wartime jobs in factories, three million volunteered with the Red Cross, and over 200,000 served in the military. Through these jobs women were able to show society that they were capable of doing bigger and better things. Women also realized that they enjoyed this taste of freedom and wanted to continue this lifestyle even after†¦show more content†¦Partly based on a real-life munitions worker, but primarily a fictitious character, the tenacious Rosie became one of the most iconic images of working women in this time period. Instead of being seen as we ak and inadequate, Rosie showed women as being tough and equal to men. She symbolized the woman worker and illustrated that she was a strong and capable woman, which is why so many women decided to follow her. In movies, newspapers, posters, photographs and articles, the Rosie the Riveter campaign stressed the need for women to enter the work force and take part in war efforts. After the war, Rosie was still used to promote the feminist movement in the 1980s. She still remains a symbol of women empowerment and stresses the idea that women deserve equal opportunities. After the December 7, 1941 Japanese attack on America at Pearl Harbor, the U.S. was thrust into World War II and the daily lives of Americans across the country were drastically altered. Women were now responsible for most jobs on the home front. They were called upon to take over the roles formerly held by men when so many of them were overseas. World War II opened up tremendous opportunities for women because so many jobs were opened that were previously unavailable to women. People just assumed that women wouldn’t be able to do them. During the war the demand for raw materials was rapidly increasing, which made their job that much moreShow MoreRelatedAmerican Women During World War II990 Words   |  4 PagesIt was the year 1940, during World War II, where Hitler is his allies controlled most of Europe and threaten to control the world. Since Japan had attacked Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, the United States congress finally agreed to enter the war against Germany and its allies after having remained neutral during the war. On October 16, 1940, President Franklin D. Roosevelt signs the Selective Service and Training Act, which required all male citizens between the ages of 26 and 35 to register for the militaryRead MoreAmerican Women in World War II Essay1752 Words   |  8 Pages At the start of World War II the American people had a sense of unity. Men chose to leave their jobs and families to join the front line, while women, for the first time, were leaving the home and taking over those jobs that their husbands left behind. In 1943, many magazines chose to paint a picture of women hard at work. These articles focused their stories on working women, and glamorized the untraditional jobs they held. 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In this sense, the female factory worker became a pioneerRead MoreRole Of Mexican American Women During World War II1980 Words   |  8 PagesMexican Americans March 3, 2015 The role of Mexican American Women during World War II 1. - The beginning of World War II 2. - Mexican American society before World War II a) The role of the Mexican American woman b) The job opportunities for Mexican American women 3. - Changing roles during World War II a) The job opportunities for Mexican American women during the war b) Leaving the family to go to work 4. – Effects of the World War II experience on Mexican American women 5. -Read More World War II as a Time of Opportunities for American Women Essay2234 Words   |  9 PagesWorld War II as a Time of Opportunities for American Women World War II was the catalyst that changed the opportunities available to women and eventually the way they were regarded as a viable workforce. 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Zhao clearly states her thesis as the essay â€Å"focuses on the unique experience of Chinese American female defense workers in the San Francisco Bay Area.† I believe the author’s purpose is toRead MoreWomen s Impact On The World War II1361 Words   |  6 Pagesafter the Second World War, people created uncountable numbers of historiographical research on various topics related to the war, such as military tactics in battles, individual groups of men during their time in service, and other such subjects. Not much surprise exists then, that women’s actions in World War II eventually would also gain interest and publication for the public, though it did not gain an undivided focus until the advent of women’s and social history grew momentum. Women, despite beingRead MoreMexican American Forgotten in History1392 Words   |  6 PagesWorld War II brought forward the opportunity for many Mexican Americans to show their commitment to this country . 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