How did WWII change the United States?

World War II changed the United States in many ways.  The economy had not yet fully recovered from the Great Depression by 1941.  After the United States entered World War II in December of 1941, the economy dramatically improved.  Workers were needed to create the weaponry, uniforms, parachutes, and military vehicles needed to support a large army and navy.  Military jobs were also plentiful, as millions of men and women were needed to serve in the United States armed forces.  In the late 1930s, the U.S. armed forces had under 400,000 military personnel.  By 1945, there were over twelve million.

Every day life changed in the United States.  Women who had always been housewives were required to work jobs in munitions factories and other manufacturing plants.  Most able-bodied men left to fight in the war, and this meant that many families were temporarily separated.  Women in the workplace meant that more young children required childcare.  There was rationing, which impacted many types of food.  These foods, such as sugar and canned goods, were unavailable or had limited access.  Tires and gasoline were also rationed, meaning that travel by car was limited.

Newfound fears plagued people living in the United States.  Many feared that there might be air raids by the Germans or the Japanese.  Blackouts were required along the coasts of the United States because of German submarines offshore.