black mens roles in the navy world war 2

The military organized women into auxiliary units with special uniforms, their own officers, and, amazingly, equal pay. The sudden appearance of large numbers of women in uniform was easily the most visible change. Of the 15 million civilians who moved across state lines during the war, over 2 million went to California to work in defense industries. The most dramatic growth occurred in California. became another boomtown, as tens of thousands of new workers staffed the swelling ranks of the bureaucracy. Detroit's population exploded as the automotive industry switched from manufacturing cars to war vehicles. Urbanization had virtually stopped during the Depression, but the war saw the number of city dwellers leap from 46 to 53 percent.

The war set families in motion, pulling them off of farms and out of small towns and packing them into large urban areas. To conserve wool and cotton, dresses became shorter and vests and cuffs disappeared, as did double-breasted suits, pleats, and ruffles.Įven more significant was the tremendous increase in mobility. World War II produced important changes in American life-some trivial, others profound. Digital History Printable Version Social Changes During the War

Black mens roles in the navy world war 2