Life changed for all countries involved in World War II. Great Britain and the United States were no different. Although the United States entered the war two years after Great Britain had involved itself, the dire effects were the same. Great Britain experienced an array of surprise attacks, an unwanted draft, and an increase in crime rates. On the other hand, the United States experienced a boom in their economy, a new workforce, and the success of corporations. Although both countries had different experiences, their contribution led to the winning of World War II.
World War II -- Life on the Homefront
As World War II was beginning to emerge, the world was being reshaped. The war began in 1939 and ended in 1945 with more than fifty countries at war (PBS). All of these countries experienced a different outcome during and before the war. Life was especially life-changing in the United States and in Great Britain. With the home front being a different encounter for each respective country, the events witnessed and experienced would shape not only the lives of the people directly involved, but the future of each country was molded once again.
The United States tried as much as it could to stay out of the war. However, on December 7, 1941, all of that changed. Despite the war having begun two years prior, the United States had not yet entered nor involved itself in the war's political affairs. Government leaders from the United States did not want to continue involving itself in European affairs. However, after the surprise attack on Pearl Harbor by Japan that killed thousands of innocent soldiers and civilians, the United States had no choice but to enter the Second World War.
United States' citizens whom once rejected the notion of war, became great supporters of the idea. Patriotism was once again revamped and the idea of America being the front leader in this war was entertained. After entering the war, life on the home front of America was completely changed. To begin with, the war arrived at the turn of the great American industrialization (PBS). Right before the onset of the war, the United States was facing financial and economic crisis. The Great Depression was in full force and about half of all men in the United States were unemployed (PBS). Unable to sustain and support a family, men were forced to take on any job that was available -- although these opportunities were scarce in all regions of the country. Men from all different walks of life and socioeconomic statuses were deeply affected by the dive that the American economy had taken during that time. Afraid of not being able to fully fund a war, the United States refused to enter the battle until it was left with no choice.
Despite the reservations about entering such a disastrous war, the United States entered with full force and completely changed American history. Employment in the United States boomed. Factories that sat empty and dormant previous to the war would now be crowded with factory workers looking to put their part into the war effort. Production and manufacturing was overwhelming, so much so that it reshaped the demographics of a nation (PBS). Individuals who had not even worked before had the opportunity to put their part into the war. Women entered the workforce -- many for the first time ever. They sustained factories and ran businesses that were once run by their husbands. Women's status changed from that of housewife, to bread earner while her husband was at war. World War II transformed gender dynamics in the United States.
The economic boom that the United States experienced was unprecedented. With so much needed to support the Second World War, jobs were everywhere. This also meant that people from all over the world that were looking to find employment in order to better the lives of their families, did not hesitate to involve themselves in the war effort. African-Americans from the South moved to the North, West, and Midwest in order to find factory employment. Europeans immigrated to the United States in droves during that time as well, as they were all looking to escape the horrors of the war in Europe (PBS). Most of these immigrants migrated to the Northeast or to the West. Americans also moved within the United States in order to move from job to job. Because the need was so great, people who were looking for employment were able to find it anywhere. Factory jobs were available in the bigger towns and cities, while agricultural work was in excess in the farms all over the United States (PBS). With so many job prospects, a fifth of the entire United States population changed their living location during the war.
Although spending in the United States was at an all-time high, rationing was still implemented as a precaution (Ames Historical Society). American citizens were allowed a certain amount of basic necessities per month. Because the majority of the supplies that were being manufactured and produced in the United States were in fact going toward the war effort and to the soldiers abroad, American citizens needed to make sure that they would not take more than their fair share of supplies. Food, gasoline, oil, soap, and clothing were all scarcely distributed so as to not take too much away from the people at war (Ames Historical Society). For the first time as well, income taxes were implemented on items as well as withheld from people's checks. Bond buying also became a popular way of funding the war (PBS). Life in the United States transformed after its involvement in World War II.
Despite the positive changes that the United States had seen in their economy, Great Britain's experience was not so positive. Europe had already been participating in the full war effort for two years prior to the involvement of the United States. Due to their proximity to enemy countries such as Germany, Japan, and Italy, Great Britain felt the full effects of the war (BBC). While the United States was busy avoiding the war, the citizens of Great Britain lived in constant fear of receiving attacks from the opposing forces. These attacks arrived in the form of air strikes which frightened people to an even greater extent (BBC). No one ever felt safe walking outside during any time throughout the war. A sunny afternoon could easily be interrupted by bombings and gunfire. Millions were killed and injured during the strikes.
The citizens of Great Britain however, put in their effort to sustain the Second World War, just as American citizens did on their home front. Men and women worked hard at home factories and in the agricultural upkeep of their farmlands (BBC). This supplied their troops with food and with direly needed supplies. Hundreds of thousands of women also directly joined the war effort as uniformed service members. Those who did not volunteer their services were drafted into the war (BBC). While the United States felt extreme patriotism when deciding to volunteer themselves for the armed services at the time, the British were forced to face a war that they too did not really want to be a part of.
Great Britain also implemented a forced food rationing system in order to control the limited resources that they had at the moment (BBC). Because most of the European continent was at war, it was had grown increasingly difficult for citizens of Great Britain to receive a food supply readily. Most of these supplies were delivered by ship, which meant that because of the constant attacks and raids on these vessels, there were times when the food and supplies would never arrive to the people who needed them most (BBC). This also signified that Great Britain would not get any food or sustainable items for months at a time.
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