WWII

Maddy Madonia

World War II.

1940 - 1941

Living in the United States with a median income during World War II meant earning about $2,000 a year. With the harships of war arising, 134 million Americans were asked to purchase war bonds to help fund the war. They were named War bonds after the Pearl Harbor attacks on Americans. These war bonds represented a financial stake in war effort.

One of the most dramatic changes that occurred during WWII was the amount of women who entered the workforce. During World War II, more than six million women joined the workforce. "They worked in the shipyards, lumber mills, steel mills, foundries. They were also welders, electricians, mechanics, and even boilermakers. Three million also volunteered to be Red Cross workers. When the war ended in 1945, women were no longer needed. Their contributions to the workforce were outstanding though when men returned home from work.

1939

1942 - 1943

1945

1944

Munitions workers worked in munitions factories. Their job was to make weapons (guns) and ammunition (bullets, hand grenades and bombs) needed by the armed forces. This job was extremely dangerous and required extremely long hours. In fact, this job was so dangerous that nobody was allowed to take anything explosive into the workshops.

During WWII, the government introduced a new policy known as rationing. This meant that you couldn't just walk into a store and buy whatever amount of goods you needed. This was done with products such as meat, suagr, and butter,etc. You also couldn't purchase any amount of gasoline to fill you tank. Why? During the war, supplies were extremely limited therefore to ensure everyone got a fair amount of goods, the government introduced rationing to Americans.

The Map of Europe during World War II

Official U.S. Treasury Department Bond and Stamp Sales Poster