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The Second World War (1941–1945 for US involvement) had a profound impact on American society and the economy. It ended the Great Depression, transformed the role of women and African Americans, and established the United States as a global superpower. This lesson covers the key social, economic, and political changes brought about by the war.
The war achieved what the New Deal had not — full employment and economic recovery.
| Economic Impact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Unemployment | Fell from 8.5 million (1940) to virtually zero by 1943 |
| Industrial output | American factories produced vast quantities of weapons, ships, aircraft, and vehicles |
| GDP | Doubled between 1939 and 1945 |
| Government spending | Federal spending rose from 9billion(1939)to98 billion (1945) |
| Wages | Average wages rose by 50% during the war years |
Exam Tip: A key exam argument is that it was the war, not the New Deal, that ended the Great Depression. Be prepared to evaluate this statement with specific evidence.
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