World War II was fought not only on battlefields across the globe, but also in factories, laboratories, farms, movie studios, and homes. This course explores the remarkable transformation of civilian life during World War II, examining the ingenuity, sacrifice, social change, and scientific breakthroughs that helped determine the outcome of the conflict. Topics include military mobilization and the draft, including who was exempt from service and why; the inventions and discoveries that changed modern warfare, from radar to other critical technologies; and the financing of the war through war bonds, scrap drives, and public campaigns. We will explore the enormous expansion of war production and the unprecedented role of women in the workforce, along with the everyday realities of victory gardens, rationing, and making do with less. How Americans supported the war effort is both fascinating and inspiring.
This course is offered with the generous support of the Association for Continuing Education