Life in America During WWII
Contributed by Joseph Perona
World War II had a huge impact on the lives of American citizens. The great demand for manufactured war goods created opportunities for American citizens. This demand led the United States out of the Great Depression as people went to work in factories and began to improve the economy. The war also created opportunities for many women to begin working.
World War II had a huge impact on the lives of American citizens. The great demand for manufactured war goods created opportunities for American citizens. This demand led the United States out of the Great Depression as people went to work in factories and began to improve the economy. The war also created opportunities for many women to begin working.
In this
improved economy, there was more money for people to spend; however, due to the
war, people could not simply go to a store and buy as much of something as they
wanted. Rationing was in effect due to the shortages
during the war. Rationing was the only
way to make sure everyone got their fair share during the shortage. Commonly rationed goods were gasoline, tires,
sugar, meat, silk, shoes, and nylon.
Each family was given a ration book which contained ration stamps. You would then use these ration stamps to buy
things in stores. These stamps did not
take the place of money. You still had
to pay for the items, but would not be allowed to buy them without the
stamps. Each stamp had a number on it
designating the points it was worth as well as a letter showing which rationing
period the stamp could be used. Each rationed product had a point value
assigned to it. You would then give the
amount of ration stamps that the rationed products you were buying were worth.
Interview.
Below is an interview of my grandmother: Joanne Croteau
Q: How old were you and where did you live during WWII?
A: I was born in 1938, so I was very young during WWII. During the war I lived in Bayonne, New Jersey.
Q: Were you aware of the war and what was going on?
A: No, my mother shielded me from much of what was happening. Information was not as easily available at the time. We just lived our lives normally, although there were a few differences.
Q: What were some changes to your daily life during the war?
A: During WWII, I remember there were black outs. All of the houses had black curtains, and if the alarm went off we were required to close all the curtains and hide. This actually occurred quite often, however, it was only done as a precaution in case there was a real problem. During these black outs I remember being scared and confused.
Q: How did rationing affect your life? Did your family have a rations book? What do you remember buying with the ration book?
A: I remember my mother kept our ration book. This rationing effected us because due to the shortages we had to make many things on our own. A few things I specifically remember being rationed were gas, flour, and butter. In order to get butter, we would use Oleo Margarine as a substitute. I remember buying a bag with lard and a yellow part in the middle. I would break the yellow part and then knead the bag until it was uniform throughout. The final product was an equivalent to butter.
Q: Did you do anything to help out in the war effort?
A: During the war, the women would try to help out the best they could. My mother along with other women, would knit socks, hats, and other clothes and give them to the Church. I remember learning how to knit at a very young age because of the war. I would make my own gloves, hats, and scarfs, along with other items. I would also knit in order to donate to the Church. This was my way and other women at the time's way of helping out.
For more information on World War II, see:
Interview.
Below is an interview of my grandmother: Joanne Croteau
Q: How old were you and where did you live during WWII?
A: I was born in 1938, so I was very young during WWII. During the war I lived in Bayonne, New Jersey.
Q: Were you aware of the war and what was going on?
A: No, my mother shielded me from much of what was happening. Information was not as easily available at the time. We just lived our lives normally, although there were a few differences.
Q: What were some changes to your daily life during the war?
A: During WWII, I remember there were black outs. All of the houses had black curtains, and if the alarm went off we were required to close all the curtains and hide. This actually occurred quite often, however, it was only done as a precaution in case there was a real problem. During these black outs I remember being scared and confused.
Q: How did rationing affect your life? Did your family have a rations book? What do you remember buying with the ration book?
A: I remember my mother kept our ration book. This rationing effected us because due to the shortages we had to make many things on our own. A few things I specifically remember being rationed were gas, flour, and butter. In order to get butter, we would use Oleo Margarine as a substitute. I remember buying a bag with lard and a yellow part in the middle. I would break the yellow part and then knead the bag until it was uniform throughout. The final product was an equivalent to butter.
Q: Did you do anything to help out in the war effort?
A: During the war, the women would try to help out the best they could. My mother along with other women, would knit socks, hats, and other clothes and give them to the Church. I remember learning how to knit at a very young age because of the war. I would make my own gloves, hats, and scarfs, along with other items. I would also knit in order to donate to the Church. This was my way and other women at the time's way of helping out.
For more information on World War II, see:
"History." Enotes.com.
Enotes.com, n.d. Web. 16 Feb. 2013.
<http://www.enotes.com/history/discuss/what-was-wars-impact-america-american-life-du-96088>.
"The Impact of
World War II." The Impact of World War II. N.p., n.d. Web. 16
Feb. 2013. <http://middle.usmk12.org/Faculty/taft/Unit7/wwii_legacy.htm>.
"Rationing During
World War II." Rationing During World War II. N.p., n.d. Web.
16 Feb. 2013. <http://www.waverlyinfo.com/page/3282/Ww-Ii-Memorabilia>.
"Rationing on the
US Homefront during WW II." Rationing on the US Homefront during
WW II. N.p., n.d. Web. 16 Feb. 2013.
<http://www.ameshistoricalsociety.org/exhibits/events/rationing.htm>.
"World War II
Rationing." World War II Rationing. N.p., n.d. Web. 16 Feb.
2013. <http://www.u-s-history.com/pages/h1674.html>.
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