Download The 1940s

The 1940s
America enters WWII:
“A date which will live in infamy”

December 7, 1941: Pearl Harbor
Japanese fighter planes strike the US naval base at Pearl Harbor in Hawaii
-20 American vessels were destroyed, 8 battleships, & almost 200 airplanes
were destroyed
-More than 2,000 Americans were killed during the attack, with 1,000 more
wounded

December 8, 1941: President Roosevelt asks Congress to declare war on
Japan

Germany & Italy declare War on the US; The US declares war back.
The End of the War

Harry Truman becomes president in
1945 after Roosevelt’s death in April

United Nations established 1945 – in
order to maintain international
peace and security

The North Atlantic Treaty
Organization (NATO) is established
in 1949- an alliance system
between the US and Eastern
European countries stating that if
one is attacked they will come to
the others aid.
The End of the War

The Manhattan Project: the American effort
to build an atomic bomb,
-July 16, 1945: The first atomic bomb is tested in
New Mexico
- a flash of light became visible for 200 miles, a
mushroom cloud reached 40,000 feet into the air,
and created a crater half a mile wide.

US drops the atomic bomb on Hiroshima
(Aug. 6th) and Nagasaki (Aug. 9th)
Technology and Inventions
Radar (Radio Detection And Ranging)
-Developed in late 1930s- Early 1940s; helped Allies detect planes during WWII
1940: Jeeps
-Created for the US military
1945: Slinky
-originally made of metal
1946: Microwave Oven
1948: Velcro
- George D. Mestral came up with the idea after taking his dog for a walk and getting burrs stuck to his pants.
M&Ms

1941: M&Ms
-The idea was created by Forrest Mars (Mars’ father was the creator of the Milky
Way), Mars was looking for a surplus of chocolate and sugar to make the candies.
-Mars was approached by Bruce Murrie (The son of a Hershey executive) who
could ensure the supply Mars needed. Murrie joined Mars in his business venture.
-During this time, chocolate sales declined during summer months because of lack
of air conditioning. Mars wanted to be able to create a candy that would not resist
melting in high temperatures
-
First M&Ms sold in cardboard tubes, the brown bag was introduced in 1948
-
After the US entered WWII, the candy was exclusively sold to the military – they
were heat resistant and easy to transport in soldier’s rations.
Fashion

Materials were rationed for war in the early 1940s:
rayon, nylon, wool, leather, rubber, metal,

Floral Prints (early 1940s)

Geometric (Atomic) Prints (Late 1940s)

War themed attire : army green, patriotic colors
Men’s Fashion:

Trying to save material for war efforts, suits become
more tailored. Darker colored suits such as black,
navy, and charcoal become popular.

Also, common to see men in uniform during the
War.
Music

Popular styles: Jazz, Big Band

Frank Sinatra , Bing Crosby, Dean Martin
1945: Bing Crosby & Christmas Music
-White Christmas, Silent Night, I’ll be Home for
Christmas, Jingle Bells, Santa Claus is coming
to town
1946: Blue Moon of Kentucky- Bill Monroe
1949: I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry- Hank
Williams
1949: Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer
Film

Pinocchio (1940)

The Grapes of Wrath(1940)

Bambi (1942)

Casablanca (1943)

It’s A Wonderful Life (1946)
Events
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1940: Bugs Bunny debuts in
“A Wild Hare”
Sept 2. 1940: The Smoky
Mountain National Park is
dedicated by FDR
1941: Mt. Rushmore is
completed
June 22, 1944: The GI Bill of
Rights is signed into law
providing benefits for
Veterans
1945: Decapitated Rooster
named Mikes lives for 18
months
Events

July 16, 1945: The first
atomic bomb is tested in
New Mexico

1945: A plane crashes into
the Empire State Building

June 6, 1946: The
Basketball Association of
America is founded . It
becomes known as the
NBA (National Basketball
Association) in 1949 after a
merger with the National
Basketball League
Arts/ Theatre/Literature

1940: For Whom The Bell Tolls – Ernest Hemingway

1945: Animal Farm- George Orwell

1947: The Diary of Anne Frank-Anne Frank

1949: Nineteen Eighty-Four- George Orwell
Sports

Events cancelled because of WWII
-Tour De France 1940-1946
-1940 Olympic Games both Summer and Winter
-The British Open Golf Tournament1940-1945

Many baseball players join the military to serve during the war.

Baseball was segregated, but Jackie Robinson was chosen to help integrate
the sport

1945: Jackie Robinson breaks the color barrier- signs to play for the Brooklyn
Dodgers