1940s Summary

1940s: Print Culture World War II (1939–45) dominated serious print media from 1939 until most of the last troops returned from Europe in 1946. American newspapers and magazines focused intentl... Read more

Wartime Science. During World War II most scientific research served military imperatives as the U.S. government harnessed science and technology to win the war. The demands of wartime served to spee... Read more

World War II Dominates. The 1940s were dominated by World War II. This was as true for the media as it was for other areas of American life. From 1941 until the majority of the troops returned home i... Read more

A Changing Society. With the advent of the 1940s came an increased prosperity as well as the higher risk of conflict with other nations. Both possibilities had effects on the law. The efforts of Pres... Read more

Watching, Waiting, and Joining. As the decade opened, Americans watched uneasily as the war in Europe and the Pacific rim escalated. The Axis countries of Germany, Italy, and Japan seemed to be gaini... Read more

Silver Lining. The 1940s were one of the pivotal decades in the development of American business. During the decade the economy rebounded from depression; big business recovered its tarnished public ... Read more

15 May 15 June July 8 July Read more