The United States in 1940 Mr. White’s US History 1

Main Idea and Objectives Main Idea: The United States in the 1940s was shaped by many different factors, such as the Great Depression After this section, we should be able to: Describe the impact of the Great Depression on the culture and society of the United States in the 1930s and early 1940s Describe different aspects of art, culture, literature, etc., during the 1930s Explain the attitude of the U.S. toward Germany and Japan prior to World War II

The Great Depression 1930s dominated by the Great Depression 1929 – Stock Market crashes 25% of population unemployed Banks and businesses close

Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s New Deal President in 1930s is Franklin Delano Roosevelt Sets up New Deal programs to end Depression Government creates jobs and social services to help people and stimulate the economy Country slowly starts to pull out of Depression

Demographics Population of Country: 123 million Life expectancy: Male, 58.1, Female, 61.6 Average salary: $1,368 Car sales: 2,787,400 Prices: Milk, 14 cents; bread, 9 cents; steak, 42 cents a pound Country is still predominantly rural

Art Art reflected the Great Depression with its themes and depictions “American Gothic”, by Grant Wood How might this painting reflect the Great Depression?

Art – Edward Hopper’s “Nighthawks”

Architecture Many of the nation’s most memorable skyscrapers were built Empire State Building (at left) Chrysler Building Rockefeller Center

Education Money in short supply; many parents couldn’t get school supplies for students Some schools started charging tuition Many children didn’t get the education they needed

Women’s fashion in the 1920s 1920s fashion had reduced the appearance of the female form Hair was cut into short “bob” styles; used finger waves and Marcel waves Women almost had the appearance of looking like young boys

Women’s fashion in the 1930s 1930s and early 1940s women’s fashion brought back female form Gretta Garbo (left) was imitated around the world

Men’s fashion in the late 1930s Fitted single- or double- breasted jacket Pants were straight, wide, and high-waisted Colors were grays, light browns, light blue Hats were a must, but were removed indoors! Today’s business wear has its beginnings here

Music of the Late 1930s and Early 1940s “Big Band” sound dominated the popular music scene for young people Glenn Miller, Benny Goodman, Duke Ellington Most music for dancing; jitterbug, Lindy hop – “swing dancing”

Cars of the 1930s 1930s considered the age of “classic” cars Fully-closed bodies start to become standard; previously cars had been open to the air Ford introduces the flathead V-8 engine, which is a big step forward for engines

Science and Technology NY “World’s Fair” showcased new science and technology such as cross-country highways and the new invention, television Scientific research was cut short for lack of money because of Depression Albert Einstein came to United States in 1933 and started helping develop the atomic bomb Pluto discovered and become a planet in 1930 (but it isn’t anymore :-(

Trouble in Europe By 1939, Europe is entering a second world war US citizens want to stay neutral, prefer isolationism Many Americans saw this as Europe’s problem and didn’t want to get pulled in

Trouble in the Pacific Empire of Japan rapidly taking over islands in Pacific Also invading China and other Asian countries Still, US wasn’t worried; had relatively good relations with Japan

No Worries In Sight Most in US not worried about war in Europe or the Pacific US largely unprepared for war General feeling of safety in United States

Main Idea and Objectives Main Idea: The United States in the 1940s was shaped by many different factors, such as the Great Depression After this section, we should be able to: Describe the impact of the Great Depression on the culture and society of the United States in the 1930s and early 1940s Describe different aspects of art, culture, literature, etc., during the 1930s Explain the attitude of the U.S. toward Germany and Japan prior to World War II

Wrap-up So… One way that the Great Depression impacted American society was that… One of the things I found interesting about art, culture, fashion, literature, music, or science during the time before World War II was… The United States’ attitude toward the nations of Germany and Japan can best be described as…