Home

1940s the Decade of War __ "BOOM! BANG!! BAM! Can you hear that? That's the sound of weapons in World War II. In the 1940's, it was not the happiest decade. It was actually full of killing and blood. Yet, it also had some interesting sports, games, and famous people. Before World War II there were many poor people. Suddenly there were headlines saying, "Japs declare war. Attack U.S." You will find a lot of interesting information. - From Kyrene School District - http://www.kyrene.k12.az.us/schools/brisas/sunda/decade/1940.htm

 
1943 Detroit Race Riots __ You will find background and photos of the riot. - illustrated - From the Detroit News - http://info.detnews.com/history/story/index.cfm?id=185&category=events

 
The American Experience/ Charles Lindbergh/ Primary Sources __ Here you will find the text of two of Lindbergh's speeches opposing America's involvement in the war in Europe. His first speech argues that we should not get involved because we would lose. The second speech states that we're being drawn into this conflagration by the British, American Jews, and FDR. - From PBS - http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/lindbergh/filmmore/reference/primary/index.html 

 
American History - Decade 1940 - 1949 __ You will find articles about fads, culture demographics plus galleries and links to numerous resources about this period in American history. - illustrated - From Kingwood College Library - http://kclibrary.nhmccd.edu/decade40.html 
 
Bedford Virginia Army Air Force B25 Crashes (1943) __ You will find a tribute to the crew, with recent pictures of crash scene, official government report, history, and newspaper articles. - illustrated - from wp21.com - http://www.wp21.com/b25crash/index.htm

 
Coupons and Counterfeits: World War II and the U.S. Black Market __ You will learn about the development of a "black market" during the war years. "During the second world war, many different kinds of battles raged. Less well known than Stalingrad or Midway, but in its way just as fierce, was the battle over economic control in the United States. Well-meaning technocrats seeking efficient allocation of scarce resources during the wartime crisis worked hard to impose a rational system of controls on the domestic economy. Intentions proved a poor predictor of results. Instead of simply an efficient war machine, rationing and price controls resulted in a widespread black market, and the well-meaning technocrats found themselves up against widespread public discontent." - From Garrett Moritz - http://www.gtexts.com/college/papers/j2.html 

Featured Document: The Marshall Plan __ "As the war-torn nations of Europe faced famine and economic crisis in the wake of World War II, the United States proposed to rebuild the continent in the interest of political stability and a healthy world economy. On June 5, 1947, in a commencement address at Harvard University, Secretary of State George C. Marshall first called for American assistance in restoring the economic infrastructure of Europe. Western Europe responded favorably, and the Truman administration proposed legislation. The resulting Economic Cooperation Act of 1948 restored European agricultural and industrial productivity. Credited with preventing famine and political chaos, the plan later earned General Marshall a Nobel Peace Prize." illustrated - From US National Archives - http://www.archives.gov/exhibit_hall/featured_documents/marshall_plan/
 
The Forties __ "It was the best of times and the worst of times: It's a Wonderful Life and six million Jewish deaths. ``White Christmas'' and black lists. Gas rationing and Guadacanal. Casablanca and Hiroshima. V-2 rockets and V-J Day." That covers a lot of it. - illustrated - From Oak Ridge National Laboratories - http://www.ornl.gov/info/swords/forties.html 

An Internment Experience __ Learn about Japanese-American experiences starting with the bombing of Pearl Harbor when most were placed in internment camps. It describes life in the camp and what followed after release. - illustrated - From Unknown (Wendi)- http://users.owt.com/rpeto/wendigrand/wendi_gran.html 

Kilroy Was Here __ "... the 1940s remain one of the most pivotal decades of the 20th century. The Ohio Historical Society brings that era to life in Kilroy Was Here!: The 1940s Revisited,..." Links to other stories of the times. - From Ohio Historical Society - http://www.ohiohistory.org/etcetera/exhibits/kilroy/index.html 

Media History Timeline: 1940s __ This site lists the important events in the various media such as publishing, newspapers, musical performance, etc. - From University of Minnesota. - http://www.mediahistory.umn.edu/time/1940s.html 
 

Web archaeolink.com

Top of Page