Ramifications of the Great Depression and World War II
Social Ramifications
The Great Depression lasted ten years, marking the most devastating economic period in American history. Following the crash of 1929, America’s economy went downward, leaving millions unemployed, homeless, and starving (Okie, 2017). Most businesses closed despite lowering their selling prices because people could not afford to buy them. Additionally, due to panic, people tried to withdraw all their savings and credits from the banks but could not provide the money since they had lost almost all of it. Therefore, many banks closed down, and people were left with nothing.
Furthermore, though the government tried to push charity organizations to support Americans during the Depression, they eventually ran out of funds. They had to close down (The US and World War II, the War of the World, n.d.). The remaining few could only provide a maximum of two dollars per week to families.
More social consequences of the Depression meant that most businesses were either downsizing or closing down. This brought about sexual and racial discrimination in workplaces, as women and non-Americans were the first individuals fired from their jobs or had their pay cut than their white male counterparts. Further, when a Smoot-Hawley Tariff Act was implemented to reduce the imports to America by increasing the tariffs, the action backfired as international countries also increased tariffs for American exports, worsening the situation (Okie, 2017). Contact us at eminencepapers.com. Our homework help will save you tons of energy and time required for your homework paper.
However, the social ramifications of World War II had the opposite effect compared to that of the Great Depression. Essentially, the Second World War saved America from the Great Depression as the war started and the Great Depression ended. America supplied weapons to Britain and France to fight against Nazi Germany (Okie, 2017). This jumpstarted America’s economy, and by the end of the war, America was the only superpower because of its superiority in weapons and wealth. Further, more individuals enlisted in the war; even women took up higher positions in companies, and non-Americans were enrolled in the military (Okie, 2017).
The Great Depression was devastating, especially for African Americans, Asians, and immigrants in America. The economic disaster meant these people were treated as non-Americans. People were angry, poor, and starving, and those who had it worse were those who were not white (Okie, 2017). Any relief offered was given to the white people, while the other races had to come last. The blame for the economic Depression also fell on these individuals, which only increased their attacks.
Conversely, the social consequences of the Second World War were both positive and negative. While the social lives of most Americans improved as the economy improved, the country was also grief-stricken due to the loss of their loved ones who went out to war and those who became causalities like in Pearl Harbor (The US and World War II, the war of the world, n.d.). Besides, Asians in America, especially Japanese and Germans, even if they were American citizens, were attacked and taken away to camps and locked away from civilization (Okie, 2017). The war also boosted social life in America through mainstream media.
Political Ramifications
One of the political ramifications of the Great Depression was that the president, a Republican, Herbert Hoover, was voted out, and Franklin D. Roosevelt, the presidential nominee, took over and became the only American to serve for four terms.
Contrariwise, some political consequences of the Second World War include the Cold War and a still enduring conflict between Russia and China. America and Russia formed an allyship to fight Nazi Germany and the Japanese (Okie, 2017); however, soon after the surrender of both latter nations, America and Russia fell into a conflict that eventually led to the Cold War.
Cultural Ramifications
Significant cultural ramifications of the Great Depression came about due to migration. As demonstrated in one of the popular films in the 1930s titled ‘Wild Boys of the Road,’ due to migration in search of food and employment, the culture in America changed from tightly knit families to dislocated populations (Okie, 2017). Many men left their homes and roamed the country, hoping to find an opportunity elsewhere.
The Second World War’s impact on the culture was also drastic. From food and fashion, to architecture, among others, the way of life in American society changed a lot. In addition, the American culture was also mixed up with that of Britain. For example, the drink Coca-Cola was introduced in Europe during the war, and by the end of it, the drink was a favorite among the locals (Okie, 2017).
Government Responses
During the early phase of the Great Depression, under the administration of Herbert Hoover, the government made the situation worse. For example, Hoover implemented the highest tariffs in American history to encourage domestic consumption, but this was a wrong decision since the global markets were also collapsing. Consequently, other countries increased their tariffs, and America’s exports fell by 78% (Okie, 2017). Further, instead of direct action during the Great Depression, Hoover took responsibility for businesspersons to help their fellow Americans. However, this only led to exploitation because people were desperate to work even under bad conditions.
During the Roosevelt administration, I think most of the responses to the Great Depression and the Second World War improved America’s economic position, making the country a superpower. However, there were instances when Roosevelt’s responses were as bad as Hoover’s. For example, a ship full of Jewish refugees requested entry into America but was denied. The ship had to turn back and take the refugees to Germany, where they were killed by Hitler’s army (Okie, 2017). A second example is the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Although these bombings ended the war, many civilians suffered for a long time afterward due to the radiation produced by the atomic bombs. (The US and World War II, the war of the world, n.d.).
Surprising Aspects of These Movements and Their Responses
The Great Depression surprised me because were it not for the Second World War, there was a high probability that the Great Depression would have lasted longer. America’s quick response in weapon manufacturing and trading helped the country save itself from the economic disaster they were in. Regarding the Second World War, because America allied with the Soviet Union even though the Soviet Union had initially made a deal with Nazi Germany surprised me. The Soviet Union made the allyship with America because Adolf Hitler went against their deal and invaded Russia.
References
THE US AND WORLD WAR II, The War of the World. (n.d.).
Okie, T. (2017). The American Yawp: A Free and Online, Collaboratively Built American History Textbook.
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Question 
Please address the following question using information from your textbook, the relevant PowerPoints, and any notes you may have taken. You may also incorporate information from the American Yawp Primary Source reader. Before attempting, Please review the Module on Essay Writing Tips and the Rubric. Remember, do not use the internet or any other outside sources. Any internet use or outside sources will result in a 0 on the assignments. Any academic misconduct, such as plagiarism, will result in a 0 for the course.
Ramifications of the Great Depression and World War II
Your essay should be between 500 and 1000 words and written in paragraphs. Essays that don’t adhere to these guidelines will lose points.
Do not quote anything directly. This should be your work. Be sure to address all parts of the essay and provide specific details supporting your viewpoint.
Choose TWO of the following major issues. What were the ramifications (political, social, cultural) of your chosen movements? In your assessment, did government actions and popular responses to these circumstances improve or worsen the situation? What surprised you about these movements and the responses to them?
Your choices: The Great Depression, World War II, The larger Cold War, The Rights Revolution, and the Vietnam War
Remember, choose only two of these major issues.
The only source I can use is there—Textbook 23. The Great Depression | THE AMERICAN YAWP 24.World War II | THE AMERICAN YAWP
Reader–23. The Great Depression | The American Yawp Reader 24. World War II | The American Yawp Reader