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14: Women During the Great Depression and Wartime

  • Page ID
    362397
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    • 14.1: Overview
      This page examines women's experiences during the Great Depression and World War II, focusing on their survival strategies like cooperative food networks. It notes the shift in government policy from discouraging women's work to recruiting them for wartime roles, highlighting the "Rosie the Riveter" symbol and issues of wage discrimination.
    • 14.2: Women and the Great Depression
      This page discusses the evolution of women's roles in the workforce during the Great Depression as they sought strategies for family survival amidst high unemployment. Married women's employment rose, leading to debates on their rights compared to unemployed men. Experiences differed by race, with white women facing fewer obstacles than women of color. Community networks provided support and evolved into political organizing hubs.
    • 14.3: Women in Wartime Industry
      This page discusses the significant changes in women's roles during World War II, highlighting their recruitment into the workforce for factory jobs as a patriotic obligation. Over 6 million women joined the workforce, yet they experienced wage discrimination and job insecurity. Propaganda promoted traditional femininity while portraying women’s work as temporary. Women also served in the military through organizations like the Women's Army Corps, albeit in non-combat roles.
    • 14.4: Communities in Focus - Japanese American Women and Incarceration
      This page explores the effects of Executive Order 9066 that led to the internment of over 120,000 Japanese Americans during WWII. It emphasizes the resilience of women in the camps, who maintained cultural practices and community ties despite adversity. Women organized educational and cultural activities, showcasing their dedication to family and identity. Young Nisei women adeptly navigated their complex identities, advocating for their communities amid the challenges of loyalty and injustice.
    • 14.5: Study Guide
      This page examines women's varied experiences during the Great Depression and World War II, focusing on survival strategies like community cooperatives and the recruitment of women for industrial roles, exemplified by the "Rosie the Riveter" campaign. It also discusses the challenges faced by marginalized women, highlighting racial discrimination through the "Double V" campaign and the cultural resilience of Japanese American women during internment.
    • 14.6: Assessment and Discussion Questions
      This page explores the historical roles and labor of women during the Great Depression and World War II, highlighting employment trends, key figures like Mary McLeod Bethune, and significant events such as strikes. It examines government policies, the "Double V" civil rights campaign, and challenges like wage discrimination. The content includes questions on women's activism and community support networks, emphasizing their contributions and struggles during this period.


    This page titled 14: Women During the Great Depression and Wartime is shared under a CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by Melody Sowden.