The world witnessed a profound transformation on September 1, 1939, as Nazi Germany invaded Poland and embarked on a campaign that would eventually lead to the start of World War II. This conflict impacted almost every major continent all over the world except for Antarctica and South America. Furthermore, its impact changed the course of history forever and left economic and political upheavals in its wake, particularly in America where African Americans and women saw drastic changes.

The death toll from World War II was the highest ever recorded in human history. Millions of brave and combative men and even more civilian lives fell victim to the deliberate crusade of bombing, starvation, and genocide. Roughly 15 million people were killed in combat, 25 million were wounded, and 45 million were civilian deaths (The National WWII Museum). This exceeds estimates of a total of 85 million victims worldwide.

One of the main factors that contributed to the start of World War II was the controversy surrounding the Treaty of Versailles. The treaty was signed in Paris on 28 June 1919, and it brought an end to the war between Germany and the Allies (Khan Academy). The highly contested War Guilt Clause held Germany accountable for World War I, which caused a massive debt of $5 billion to be levied upon Germany (Khan Academy). Substantial losses of land, large payments, and denunciations piled up, leading to the foundation of the Nazi Party and eventually paving the way for Adolf Hitler to come into power in 1934 (Khan Academy).

Moreover, the Cold War era dawned with the war ushering in the nuclear age, and soon after, the war pact between the United States and the Soviet Union collapsed.

Initially, America chose to remain neutral during the war owing to the fact that previous wars had claimed numerous American lives and yielded little progress. However, by mid-1941, the United States had stopped all economic ties with Japan and began providing material and financial aid to China. Japan had been at war with China since 1937, and with Germany's invasion of the Soviet Union in June 1941, the Soviet Union was no longer a threat to Japan in mainland Asia. In light of this, the Japanese believed that all of Southeast Asia could be conquered to expand their territory after the US Pacific Fleet was neutralized (The Editors of Encyclopedia Britannica). Following the surprise attack on the US naval base at Pearl Harbor, the US entered the war against Japan and the Nazis.

In contrast to the devastating effects World War II had on other countries and economies, it transformed the American economy positively. Before the conflict, America grappled with a global economic crisis following World War I. It revitalized the economy and ended the depression- temporary unemployment, unprecedented numbers of American immigrants, and forever adjusted the status of women, youth, and minorities in American life. America was still recovering from a terrible depression. Unemployment stood at 25%, bankruptcies were rampant, and most Americans' lifestyles were 60% below pre-depression levels in 1929 (“Impact of World War II on the U.S. Economy and Workforce | Iowa PBS”). Tremendous changes occurred early on in the war as more people were needed to produce essential supplies and weapons for the men at the front. New jobs arose, and the unemployed re-entered the labor market. As more men were sent to the battlefields, women took over their positions on the assembly lines and in construction, witnessing a continuous system of change. “The new jobs were taken by many who had been out of work for several years. As more men were sent away to fight, women were hired to take over their positions on the assembly lines.” (“Impact of World War II on the U.S. Economy and Workforce | Iowa PBS”).

World War II also affected the lives of women as approximately 350,000 women served in the military during this period (Khan Academy). They played a crucial role in replacing the men who left to serve in the armed forces, and the number of women in uniform rose dramatically. Their participation provided a positive incentive to contribute to the war effort. Before the war, women faced discouragement from working outside the home; however, now, they stepped forward to dominate roles traditionally reserved for men. Existing organizations shifted to munitions, and new businesses arose to manufacture military supplies. Unfortunately, many women were laid off after the war ended, but within a few years, roughly a third of women above the age of 14 went back to working outside the home (Khan Academy).

In essence, the United States underwent a significant economic transformation during World War II as a result of job creation for the unemployed, the expansion of women's roles in society, and the promotion of racial equality through the involvement of African Americans. This transformation helped the nation emerge from a state of recession.

A study by Iowa PBS (accessed on November 25, 2022) details the impact of the war on the nation's economy and workforce. The mass mobilization of the workforce as a result of the war effort created job opportunities for the unemployed, particularly women, as men were sent to war. Women entered the workforce in unprecedented numbers, leading to a shift in societal norms and the recognition of women's contributions to the economy.

The involvement of African Americans in the war effort was also significant in accelerating the push for racial equality. As detailed in an article by Aaron Randle on HISTORY (accessed on November 25, 2022), African American women played a major role in the war effort as "Black Rosies," working in roles traditionally held by men. Their contribution paved the way for greater opportunities for African Americans in society and furthered the Civil Rights Movement.

The impact of World War II was not limited to the United States but had global consequences. The Treaty of Versailles, as explained by Khan Academy (accessed on November 25, 2022), was a key document that sought to impose peace and reshape Europe after the war. However, its harsh stipulations contributed to the rise of Nazi Germany and the subsequent outbreak of World War II.

The attack on Pearl Harbor, as detailed by the Encyclopedia Britannica (accessed on November 25, 2022), was a major turning point in the war and prompted the United States to enter the conflict. The attack resulted in the loss of many American lives and had a significant impact on the country's psyche.

In conclusion, World War II had a profound impact on the United States, socially, economiaclly, and politically. The participation of marginalized groups such as women and African Americans in the war effort helped to promote greater equality in society and fueled important social movements. The lessons learned from the war also contributed to the formation of international organizations dedicated to maintaining peace and preventing future conflicts.