Changes in Perception

The future is only uncertain because every decision changes it.

Ever since the end of the first world war, Americans have been gradually increasing its role in the world stage, although it was only when World War II rolled around that this could be seen more clearly. Starting with World War II, America underwent a great change in perception of itself and others. Sexual and racial prejudices have been steadily decreasing, and the importance of technology in the American world steadily grew.

Women in the Workforce

Women had always been working. Whether they work at home with no pay or at factories with wages, they were always working. During World War II, a steady rise of the number of women in the workforce could be seen (Sorensen, 2004). The government initiated many different propaganda acts, the most famous being that of "Rosie the Riveter," to attract women to work. The demand of the job market was so severe, due to the large numbers of men fighting, that eventually over 18 million women joined the workforce by the end of the war (Sorensen, 2004).

With so many women in the workforce, companies with male populations gradually began to respect women. Critics said that the women are equal or better than the men when it came to jobs requiring great patience, accuracy, and in precise and delicate works (Sorensen, 2004).

In addition to helping the workforce, women were also serving as army nurses, caring for the sick on the fighting front (Roosevelt, 1944a). In her article, Eleanor Roosevelt suggested many ways in which women wanted to help the war effort, but were forbidden to or prevented from going to work because of the inability to solve their own personal problems (Roosevelt, 1944a). The women of the war made significant contributions to help the Allies win. This fundamentally changed how Americans saw women, which, in turn, changed how Americans saw themselves.

Women, who were viewed as decoration, or expected to only marry, have a home, and have children, were now seen as somewhat of an important resource that the nation could draw upon when it is in great need. However, true equality between the working men and women could not be obtained for another twenty to thirty years. Eleanor Roosevelt said, at the time, "The first obligation of government and business is to see that every man who is employable has a job, and that every woman who needs work has it" (Roosevelt, 1944b). It is important to notice how she stated that "Every man who is employable has a job" and that women only receive jobs when they "need" it.

Wars came and went in the next few decades, but the role of women had potentially changed. Women painstakingly climbed up the social latter, achieving a little more status and recognition with each step. In World War II, the Women's Army Corps (WAC) enlisted over 100,000 women to serve as decoders, air traffic controllers, and countless other jobs (Guzior, Stepp, Rollins, 2003). Among other women's military groups are the WAVES, SPARS, and WAFS, all of which enlisted many thousands of women to work for the military.

In addition, how Americans viewed the women changed. From flappers to the mini-skirts, women's fashion had been continually changing throughout the decades. Women, who used to be very conservative and who covered almost every inch of skin, were now showing off their bodies to the world. Although women were still expected to be 'housewives,' many of the younger generations were more into 'scandal' (Rice, 2003). Rice (2003), who graduated high school in 1968, said that the older women were more conservative in nature than the younger girls. Although jeans and shorts were not allowed, skirt length must be at least knee-length or longer, or else she will be sent home (Rice, 2003).

This change in the role of women helped Americans see themselves differently. It made them feel like a better, more organized nation - a more perfect union - by providing almost equal opportunities no matter the gender. An extra helping hand is an extra helping hand. In America, the many numbers of women were able to contribute much more to the society than just the men alone. Where once there was a problem within them, now they can critique other countries about a similar sexist problem, if they wish. The change boosted American confidence, thereby changing how Americans saw themselves and the world around them.

Racial Segregation and Desegregation

Beginning with World War II, African Americans are gaining momentum in their struggle for equal rights. In the movie watched during class about the changes in World War II, the change of the status of African Americans could clearly be seen. In the early years of the war, they were only allowed to work as janitors and clean-up crews - low jobs that pay very little and require very little socialization between the races. As production and demand for workers grew, more and more black Americans were allowed to join the true workforce, earning "white" wages, buying everything they had ever wanted with their first big paycheck. There were times when the government sent in soldiers to allow the black Americans to do their job as factory workers, trolley drivers, or other jobs that were previously not open to them (The Home Front Movie).

When the war was over, many black Americans were allowed to retain their positions, although there were a great number that lost their positions. The brief taste of equality during World War II gave the kick-off point for the upcoming Civil Rights movement. Segregation laws still existed in many cities in the south, and African Americans did not want to deal with these anymore (Boycott leaders reject compromise proposals, 1956).

The Montgomery Bus Boycott was said to be the starting point of the Civil Rights Movement. On December 5, 1955, Rosa Parks was arrested and fined because she refused to give up her seat for a white passenger (Boycott leaders reject compromise proposals, 1956). Since then, almost all of the black population in Montgomery had refused to ride the buses, causing the city bus transportation system to lose several thousand dollars (Cozzens, 1998). The boycott case eventually made its way into the Supreme Court, which ruled that segregation on buses was unconstitutional (Cozzens, 1998). It officially ended on December 21, 1956, after one year. The boycott eliminated one segregation in a sea of many, but it was the first step toward a more justified nation.

Starting the World War II, the military began to desegregate its units, saying "that future policy, instead of retreating defensibly further and further, with more and more group concessions, openly progress by slow and reasonable but definite steps toward the employment and treatment of Negroes as individuals which law requires and military efficiency demands" (Kretschmer, 2003). Yet, African Americans continued to make progress, achieving various African American "firsts" and served in continually desegregated troops. President Truman officially ended the segregation in the military on July 26, 1948, near the start of the Cold War.

By the Vietnam War, the U.S. military contained people from all races fighting together (Kretschmer, 2003). Although African Americans were more likely to be placed in combat units, the mere fact that they were allowed to fight alongside other races, especially whites, was a great improvement from before. In addition, many of the best fighting units in the Vietnam was contained one African American out of every four soldiers, which showed how much their status gained.

These racial gains by African Americans showed America that prejudice was irrational. Those whom we thought were beneath us could be as good, or even better than us. It changed our previous perception of ourselves - whites are not always better than the "colored" people, and that when "all men are created equal," it meant that all men are created equal. The world around us is a big place, but pre-judgments could cheat one out of more wonders than one truly deserves.

Dependency on Technology and the Rise of It

Technology has been growing more complex since the beginning of history. Throughout the two World Wars, more and more Americans experienced the need for better technology and how much they depend on technology to win. By the end of World War II, America was the greatest world power in terms of production and technology. These gave Americans a sense of confidence and invincibility that was threatened by the Russians, when the Cold War started. In fact, the technology issues were the main reason why the Cold War was waged in the first place. The Cold War was a competition between the United States and Russia on who can invent the best and most technology.

By the end of the Second World War, the United States was one of the great world powers and had almost no competition in terms of technology, production, or resources. One great example of this is the two atomic bombs: Little Boy and Fat Man, which were dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, respectively (Little Boy and Fat Man, 2003). The two nuclear weapons successfully brought about V-J day and completely ended the entire World War II. The great competitors of these fields were all destroyed or severely wounded from the war. Germany was almost savaged, England was bombed, France was flattened, and Japan had its own leftover atomic bombs to deal with in its two cities. Americans gained an almost cocky confidence in themselves. They did do much in support of the war, and one could rightly say that American involvement was one of the main reasons why the war ended with an Allied victory (Colby, 2003).

Shortly after World War II, Americans felt threatened by the Russians and how much they were advancing both technologically and in areas, such as communism (Pike, 2005). So started the Cold War - a war of technology, weaponry, and new discoveries.

Part of the Cold War was being fought on a military level: the Vietnam War. Throughout the Vietnam War, Americans were very confident that they can, and will, win the war itself. Robert Kennedy quotes one general, "the South Vietnamese are fighting now better than ever before … their record in combat … reveals an exceptional performance" (Kennedy, 1968) even though the Americans were loosing badly and most of the generals knew that it was for a worthless effort. Kennedy also said that when 60,000 soldiers were added to a battle, 20,000 of them end up dead. And, for every one dead, there's at least two more wounded (Kennedy, 1968). "Who's doing the fighting?" he asked.

Expectation 1

The Cold War induced the development of much technology. The Radarange, the first microwave oven, was invented by Percy Spencer in 1946. Although it was not until 1955 that the oven was made small enough to fit into a regular kitchen, it was an invention that contributed to the silent competition between the nations for superiority in the subject matter. Other inventions induced during this period included Eniac by J. Presper Eckert and John Mauchly in 1946, hang gliders by Francis Rogallo in 1948, the integrated circuit by Jack Kilby and Robert Noyce in 1958, a communications satellite by NASA scientists in 1960, the internet (ARPAnet) by Paul Baran in 1962, and various other modern technologies (Woelfel, 1999). These are made in addition to the space race - during which Neil Armstrong and Edwin "Buzz" Aldrin became the first men to ever be on the moon in July 1969 (Moonlanding, 2006).

These various technologies raised our dependency on technology as well as raised our self-esteem. Our dependency on technology could be seen on how technology seemed to be a main indicator of superiority. The Cold War was fought through the numbers of technologies either side owned without really using them. Our self-esteem was raised because, with each new technology, we are that much closer to winning the race. Not many other places had the resources or the intelligence to create as many new "toys" as we did. It made us feel good to have something that no one had discovered yet.

America's perception of itself and the world around it changed drastically in the twentieth century. In many ways, America became a better nation because of these changes. For others, the time was simply a period in which many of their dreams were realized and achieved. The twentieth century was an amazing time period in which many lessons could be drawn from or be cherished for all its accomplishments throughout the ages.