The Effects of World War 2 The Effects of World War 2 on the American Economy on the American Economy

by John Kelleyby John Kelley

The Causes of the War for AmericaThe Causes of the War for America

America entered the war after the Japanese America entered the war after the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor.bombed Pearl Harbor.

The president asked Congress for a The president asked Congress for a Declaration of War, and they approved it.Declaration of War, and they approved it.

America entered the war on the side of the America entered the war on the side of the Allies.Allies.

How the War Affected the How the War Affected the Economy ImmediatelyEconomy Immediately

When the United States declared war, When the United States declared war, they were in the middle of the great they were in the middle of the great depression.depression.

When the war started, the American When the war started, the American economy was immediately working economy was immediately working again. The reason for this is that again. The reason for this is that more people could find jobs since a more people could find jobs since a lot of people left to fight the war.lot of people left to fight the war.

How the War Affected the Economy How the War Affected the Economy Immediately (cont.)Immediately (cont.)

The government needed jobs to create The government needed jobs to create weapons and supplies to fight the war, so weapons and supplies to fight the war, so people got hired to create the items needed. people got hired to create the items needed. This also created many jobs.This also created many jobs.

When people could find jobs, they could afford When people could find jobs, they could afford to pay their taxes. Then, the government to pay their taxes. Then, the government made money.made money.

The Improved Economy The Improved Economy Compared to the Economies of Compared to the Economies of Other CountriesOther CountriesWhile the American economy was While the American economy was

flourishing, the economies of other flourishing, the economies of other countries were wrecked. The older countries were wrecked. The older superpowers (Great Britain, France, superpowers (Great Britain, France, Germany) were losing their power very Germany) were losing their power very quickly, especially in the case of Great quickly, especially in the case of Great Britain and France. This effectively Britain and France. This effectively caused America and the Soviet Union caused America and the Soviet Union to become the new world leaders.to become the new world leaders.

The Lasting Effects of World War 2The Lasting Effects of World War 2

World War 2 had many lasting effects.World War 2 had many lasting effects.It caused the economy to be fixed quickly. The It caused the economy to be fixed quickly. The

better economy lasted until the government better economy lasted until the government wrecked it again.wrecked it again.

It lowered the amount of dislike against It lowered the amount of dislike against women and African Americans, since they women and African Americans, since they preformed well for the during the time they preformed well for the during the time they fought for the United States in the war fought for the United States in the war (called “Experiments”)(called “Experiments”)

The Lasting Effects of World War 2 The Lasting Effects of World War 2 (cont.)(cont.)

The research by both sides during World War The research by both sides during World War 2 made a large impact on the technology, 2 made a large impact on the technology, medicine, surgery, and designs that are medicine, surgery, and designs that are used today. For example, the aircraft used today. For example, the aircraft research on jet engines and wing design is research on jet engines and wing design is used today on modern aircraft.used today on modern aircraft.

Comparison of World War 2 to the Comparison of World War 2 to the War on TerrorismWar on Terrorism

World War 2 is similar in a few ways to the War on World War 2 is similar in a few ways to the War on Terrorism, but different in many ways. They both Terrorism, but different in many ways. They both had a large effect on the economy, and both had a large effect on the economy, and both caused suffering for the soldiers and civilians at caused suffering for the soldiers and civilians at the scene of battle. Even though there are a the scene of battle. Even though there are a couple of things that the two wars had in common, couple of things that the two wars had in common, however, there are much more differences. World however, there are much more differences. World War 2 happened when the economy was in ruins War 2 happened when the economy was in ruins and fixed it, while the War on Terrorism started and fixed it, while the War on Terrorism started when the economy was good enough and helped when the economy was good enough and helped wrecked it. The number of deaths in World War 2 wrecked it. The number of deaths in World War 2 was staggering, while the War on Terrorism has was staggering, while the War on Terrorism has only had a few deaths at a time.only had a few deaths at a time.

CreditsCredits

““Effects of World War 2.” Effects of World War 2.” sunnysuffolk.edusunnysuffolk.edu. N.p., n.d. . N.p., n.d. Web. 10 March 2011.Web. 10 March 2011.

Higgs, Robert. "Government and the Economy Since Higgs, Robert. "Government and the Economy Since World War 2." World War 2." independant.comindependant.com. N.p., n.d. Web. . N.p., n.d. Web. 10 Mar 2011.10 Mar 2011.

““How did World War 2 Affect the U.S. Economy.” How did World War 2 Affect the U.S. Economy.” answers.comanswers.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 March 2011.. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 March 2011.

"The Post-War Economy 1945-1960." "The Post-War Economy 1945-1960." about.comabout.com. . N.p., n.d. Web. 10 Mar 2011.N.p., n.d. Web. 10 Mar 2011.

Special thanks to Mrs. Forest and Ms. Mulkey for Special thanks to Mrs. Forest and Ms. Mulkey for help on the project.help on the project.