A Closer Look: Resources for Understanding the 1940's

World War II defined the 1940’s. Journalist Tom Brokaw once wrote that the men and women who fought in World War II were the “greatest generation any society has ever produced.” Following the war, the landscape of the United States and the entire world changed drastically both culturally and economically. Other highlights of the 1940’s inclu de the beginning of the Cold War and the Supreme Court’s decision giving blacks the right to vote. Here are some quick facts about the beginning of the deca de:

  •    - The U.S. population was 132,122,000.
  •    - The national debt was $43 billion.
  •    - 8,120,000 people were out of work.
  •    - Minimum wage was $.43.
  •    - 55 percent of homes in the U.S. had indoor plumbing.
  •    - The average salary was $1.299, while teachers made $1,441.
  •    - The life expectancy for women was 68.2 years, compared to 60.8 for men.



Historic Events

When the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor on Dec. 4, 1941, killing more than 2,300 Americans, U.S. isolationism came to an abrupt halt. A day later, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt (FDR) guided the country into World War II. Unemployment virtually vanished as men were drafted and sent off to fight, and for the first time, women were thrusted into the workforce. The Nazis surrendered on May 8, 1945, ending the war in the West. Also in 1945, the U.S. dropped two atomic bombs on Japan, forcing its surrender and ending the war Asia. On Aug. 14, 1945, the U.S. celebrated “V-J Day,” or “Victory over Japan Day.” The end of the deca de saw the formation of the United Nations and the “Baby Boom.” In non-war related events, FDR died (1945), the “Big Bang" Theory was formulated (1948) and the North Atlantic Tra de Association (NATO) was established (1949).


Art and Architecture

When Adolf Hitler began exterminating artists whose ideals didn’t agree with his, they began a mass exodus to the United States. The center of the art world moved from Paris to New York City, where artists like Max Ernst and Piet Mondrain became huge influences. From there, one movement defined the 1940’s: abstract expressionism. The movement wasn’t characterized by a style, but by a spirit of revolt and belief in the freedom of expression. American painter Jackson Pollock led the movement and his most popular work, Christina’s World, was painted in 1948. In architecture, simplicity became the name of the game and the average home became the one-level ranch. In cities, glass buildings started to dot skylines.


Music and Radio

Just like television today, radio was a lifeline for people in the 1940’s, providing news, entertainment, and music. There were also soap operas, sports broadcasts, dramas, and even quiz shows. FDR gave 16 of his famous Fireside Chats at the beginning of the decade. On the classical music front, Europeans introduced “classical dissonance” while American composers remained more traditional. In terms of popular music, swing music played by big bands ruled the decade. Legendary artists like Tommy Dorsey, Glenn Miller, and Duke Ellington all led prominent bands whose music is still performed today. Meanwhile, Frank Sinatra and Bing Crosby were among the more popular singers of the decade along with Perry Como. At the end of the 1940’s, rhythm and blues became popular thanks to the likes of Billy Holiday, Charlie Parker, and Ella Fitzgerald.


Literature and Books

Book sales multiplied exponentially during the 1940’s as the first paperback appeared and book clubs grew. The decade began with Richard Wright’s, Native Son, a best seller that successfully explained the racial divide in the U.S. As the decade continued, non-fiction works grew as stories of the war came to light. In 1948, The Young Lions by Irwin Shaw became a classic, portraying the experiences of three soldiers – which included a Nazi and a young Jewish boy - in World War II. In the same year, The Naked and the Dead by Norman Mailer was released and has been hailed by many as the best novel to ever come out of a war. Critics praised Mailer’s depiction of men at war struggling to survive. In 1946, Dr. Benjamin Spock released The Common Sense Book of Baby and Child Care, and it has become one of best selling books of all-time. The decade ended with popular books including Death of a Salesman by Arthur Miller and Nineteen Eighty-Four by George Orwell.


Fads

In the 1940’s, Rosie the Riveter became the symbol of the working woman in America. On the flip si de , men at war and at home still enjoyed images of pin-up girls like Betty Grable , Lana Turner, and Ava Gardner. It wasn’t uncommon to see a poster of Grable in many soldier’s lockers, and they’d even put pictures in their helmets to stay motivated. New gadgets gained popularity as well. Some staples of the America culture appeared including the Frisbee, Slinky, Velcro, and Tupperware. Frozen dinners also arrived on the scene thanks to refrigerators, and after television increased in popularity, they became known as “T.V. dinners.” Remember the picture of the character with the eyes, long nose, and hands peeking over the wall? That’s the “Kilroy was here” image; graffiti started during World War II.


Fashion

During the 1940’s the popularity of Rosie the Riveter led many woman to wear slacks at work. After the war when fabric restrictions ended, sweaters became more popular thanks to actress Rita Hayworth . Christian Dior introduced the more feminine “New Look” in 1947, and sloped shoulders, cinched waists, and high heels became popular. Hats of all types remained popular and hot items included alligator accessories and platform shoes. And just like today, many women wore suits featuring a short skirt, blouse, and jacket. Curled hair and make-up also became socially acceptable. For men, styles became more lavish after the war, as more began wearing full-cut pants and long coats. Around the late 1940’s, men adopted casual shirts for the first time, wearing them on the beach. Hair was worn short and natural, with a part on the si de .


Television and Film

Many critics regard the ‘40s as the heyday for film. Classics released during the decade include: How Green Was My Valley, The Maltese Falcon, Citizen Kane, Casablanca, It’s a Wonderful Life, and A Streetcar Named Desire. Actors and actresses like Judy Garland, Marlon Brando, Humphrey Bogart, Lana Turner, Cary Grant, Ginger Rogers and Joan Crawford became Hollywood royalty. Walt Disney also rose to popularity with animated films like Dumbo and Bambi. Television didn’t really take-off until the end of the decade because after the war, few had heard of it. By 1949, prices decreased and televisions flew off the shelves to the tune of about 100,000 a week. Although many popular shows began their run in the 1950’s, Howdy Doody , debuted on Dec. 27, 1947 and the first sitcom, The Goldbergs , debuted in 1949.


Sports

The 1940’s were a historic deca de for sports. Jackie Robinson became the first black player to play Major League Baseball in 1947, and two years later, he was named the National League’s most valuable player. Baseball was so popular in the U.S. and so important to troop morale during the war, the Japanese tried to block radio broadcasts. Because so many men enlisted, teams used older veterans and a woman’s league was created. After the war, Ted William and Joe DiMaggio because household names. In other sports: Joe Louis was the heavyweight champion in boxing from 1937-48; the National Basketball Association (N.B.A) was formed in 1949; and football players played both offense and defense. Stars of the National Football League included Sammy Baugh of the Washington Redskins and Sid Luckman of the Chicago Bears.