War has a woman's face: American propaganda during World War II
War has a woman's face: American propaganda during World War II

Video: War has a woman's face: American propaganda during World War II

Video: War has a woman's face: American propaganda during World War II
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American Propaganda: Women at War
American Propaganda: Women at War

Fighters for gender justice today do not get tired of declaring that a woman has no place in the kitchen, they say, great achievements await her. It is curious that the desire to raise generations of housewives was not always inherent in the powers that be; during the Second World War, the American government was well aware of the benefits that women's labor could bring, and therefore actively promoted the participation of the beautiful half of humanity in difficult war days. Here are some photographs illustrating that war can have a woman's face.

Women at an aircraft factory in California (October 1942)
Women at an aircraft factory in California (October 1942)

Large-scale campaigns were carried out in order to fill those jobs that were left empty after the men left for the front. Women were encouraged to work in the military industry. Making bombs and airplane parts, driving tanks and building shops - all of this was now supposed to be a "woman's" business. The main thing they played on was a sense of patriotism. The "Women's Bureau" made a lot of efforts to overcome the reluctance of employers to hire girls for work. Breaking down the usual gender stereotypes, the creators of the propaganda posters showed that a woman can do the same work as a man. As a result, from 1940 to 1944, about eight million women decided to work in the rear.

A 24-year-old girl at the Vilter arms factory (February 1943)
A 24-year-old girl at the Vilter arms factory (February 1943)

Women served in the US Navy, in 1942 about 4 thousand, in 1945 - already 86 thousand. 400,000 American women fought in the ranks of the army, navy, marines and coast guard.

Working at the North American Aviation aircraft factory (October, 1942)
Working at the North American Aviation aircraft factory (October, 1942)

It is noteworthy that in the very first post-war years, the perception of women changed dramatically: posters began to appear again, which depicted happy mothers and loving wives, keepers of the home. Typically, post-war advertisements featured immaculately dressed women cleaning or preparing food, surrounded by children or grandchildren. There was always a man nearby who ensured family well-being through hard work.

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