Childhood During World War II

Contributed by Bridget Nocera

Childhood During World War II
 

 

         December 7^th, 1941 became “a day that will live in infamy.” The bombing of Pearl Harbor, which caused over three thousand casualties, changed America forever. No longer did the country want to sit on the sidelines, they wanted to completely defeat Germany and Japan. It was after this event that America plunged into World War II. With participation in the war, life for the average American changed. Nearly 15 million men and 216,000 women joined the armed forces and left their homes and families behind.

It also became necessary for rationing of numerous items, including food, gas, and clothing. Many everyday items were no longer readily available. Life was different for American women and children, too.  Over 6 million women took up jobs and became responsible for holding the country together while the men were at war. Children also had civic duties. Besides collecting everyday items for soldiers, they also helped plant some of the twenty million “victory gardens” that added to the food supply, and bought war bonds.


Interview:

This is the interview with my grandfather, Michael Carnevale. He is 83 years old, and grew up in Belleville, New Jersey. At the age of 12, World War II began, and his life changed greatly. 

My grandfather Michael Carnevale, left, with his brother Frank Carnevale, right, in 1942. His brother, Frank Carnevale, was in the army during World War II. 

For more information on life during WWII, see the following sources:

The National WWII Museum. "PRIMARY SOURCES: WAR BONDS." The National WWII Museum. N.p., 2003. Web. 15 Feb. 2013. <http://www.nationalww2museum.org/learn/education/for-teachers/primary-sources/war- bonds.html>.

Robinson, Heather E. "Children on the Home Front." The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History. The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History, 2009. Web. 15 Feb. 2013. <http://www.gilderlehrman.org/history-by-era/world-war-ii/resources/children-home-front>.

Cohen, Stan, and Clark Reynolds. "Rationing on the US Homefront during WW II." Rationing on the US Homefront during WW II. Ames Historical Society, n.d. Web. 15 Feb. 2013. <http://www.ameshistoricalsociety.org/exhibits/events/rationing.htm>.

History. "The U.S. Home Front During World War II." History.com. A&E Television Networks, 1996. Web. 15 Feb. 2013. <http://www.history.com/topics/us-home-front-during-world- war-ii>.

University of California. "Everyday Life During World War II." Calisphere. University of California, n.d. Web. 15 Feb. 2013. <http://www.calisphere.universityofcalifornia.edu/themed_collections/subtopic5h.html>.