How Did American Culture Affect The 1940s

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The 1940s “The 1940s was perhaps the greatest decade in American history.”, (“Life in the 40’s”, n.d.). The 1940s was a decade of big changes. America was slowing getting itself out of the Great Depression and women were finally exploring things outside of their household. Money was scarce for most. Going to school was very different mainly because some teenagers dropped out just to help the family. Music and movies also had a huge impact in our culture. Once World War II ended during the 1940s, young american men were eager to return home, back to their girlfriends and wives. The 1940s was truly a decade of change. The population during the 1940s was about 132 million people. Many americans sacrificed their well-being to work at …show more content…

into war. Everyday life was drastically altered. Many things began to be rationed like food, gas, and clothing. Many communities had scrap metal drives and Japanese americans were basically stripped from their rights as citizens. Many grew dependent on the radio for news about the war overseas. Many of the rationing was for the U.S. troops overseas. People Made posters saying things like “Do with less-so they’ll have enough”, they of course referring to the U.S. troops overseas. Since many men went overseas to be U.S. troops many jobs were available for women. After a while the percentage of women in the American workforce went from 25 percent to 36 percent by the mid-1940s. Music, movies, and entertainment in general in the 1940s was great in many ways. Some say that the 1940s was “The Golden Age of film”. The 40s was also the decade of the crooner. A crooner was usually a singer, typically a male one, who sang sentimental songs in a soft, low voice. “In the 1940s, composers refined their expertise even more. One of the most important and influential composers was Bernard Herrmann, who broke many barriers and traditions to create music that greatly enhanced the films for which he wrote.”, (“The 1940s”,

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