APUSH DBQ
Despite the ongoing discrimination during the war against certain racial groups,
The United States changed domestically to a great extent due to the development of
the industrial force on the homefront, and the strengthened fight for equality. As
the US entered WWII, citizens left to fight in the war, while many minorities
gathered to mobilize and increase military production. In the last decades before
WWII, America had witnessed the great depression that left the country jobless, and
the government helplessly implementing reform programs. Hoover and FDR attempted to
pull the country out of depression by implementing changes through trickle-down-
economics, new deal reform programs, and foreign tariffs, yet none of these
policies had significant effects on the US economy. As overproduction and
underconsumption brought the US employment rate to an all time low, and homeless
and poverty rates to an all time high, WWII jump started America’s recovery from
the great depression.
As the US homefront mobilized for war, industrial manufacturers employed men,
women, native americans, black americans to produce weapons, armory and supplies
for soldiers. Document 1 states, “the United States must acquire…ever possessed.”
The new national policy mandated men to be drafted for the military, the purpose of
the policy was to strengthen the military force to an extent that would transform
America into a global superpower through WWII. This changed America domestically by
kickstarting America’s economy with global trade, fluctuation of immigrants and job
opportunities in many fields. America gradually pulled out of the great depression
as homelessness and poverty rates decreased. Document 7 states,
“Illiteracy..educational processes.” Advances of technology during and after the
war has allowed for domestic developments in medicine, technology, industries, and
education. The developments as stated changed America domestically by increasing
employment rates in many fields of work, and brought in an influx of immigrants
from asia, and Europe, influencing America’s racial demographics and sparked
debates on equality, job opportunities, immigrants vs veterans. The GI bill was
introduced after WWII and provided tuition, subsistence, books and supplies, and
equipment for veterans. (O.I.) The increase of opportunities for education
transformed America, the workforce shifted to the direction of higher wages and
professional jobs, and thus creating a new generation of educated politicians,
writers, and many other fields.
During WWII, citizens casted their differences aside and gathered to fight
one war-- WWII. This changed America domestically when these principles
strengthened post war. Document 4 highlights the role of women during WWII. America
has changed domestically because WWII paved the way to the feminist movement of the
1970s and the transition from traditional to modern gender roles. As Document 3
states, “Thus in our fight…enslave us.” This illustrates the frustration of black
Americans who felt like they were fighting for a country that houses their
oppressors. WWII provided a circumstance where citizens shared a common goal of
winning the war. The double V campaign exemplified idealism during WWII, and
emphasized the injustices that African Americans go through which brought change
domestically. Document 5 states, “Are we not.. like cattle.” The letter expresses
anger by black soldiers, who highlights the irony that citizens were fighting the
same war, yet segregation and discrimination were still apparent and this
illustrates the domestic change of American idealism. Although some may argue that
there was ongoing discrimination during the war against certain racial groups, the
war highlighted the shift from prejudice to acceptance as America’s democratic
principles developed from justice abroad, to justice at home as well. Document 2
speaks about the Japanese internment camps that confined Japanese Americans to
inhumane living conditions. However, post war, the American government emphasized a
greater effort to combat domestic issues. The civil liberties act granted japanese
americans a stipend of $20,000 as recuperation for the atrocities of the japanese
internment camps. Although the money does not fully compensate for the physical and
mental trauma of many Japanese Americans, the act demonstrates the continuity of
growing democratic principles of the US, and the change from ignorance to taking
responsibility for the well being of American minorities. The United States changed
domestically to a great extent as the second world war developed the American
economy, and American principles to greater heights of idealism.
