Decade of War: Happiest Decade of Our Life

The 1940's was a decade dominated by the Second World War. Fashion, music, movies, and other entertainment was greatly impacted by America's involvement in the war. It would seem that the dominating influence of war would make the 1940's a tense and depressing era in United States history; however, speaking to a gentleman growing up during this time, I learned that my thoughts about the 40's were wrong. I interviewed a family friend, asking questions regarding the impact of the war and his service in the marines, to help me understand life during the 40's. Most people do not understand that the 40's were not always sad and depressing; although we know the 40's as the decade of World War II and "the most devastating genocide in history," (Forster) in my subject's case, the war brought out the best in people rather than the worst. My interview subject, who wishes to remain anonymous and will be reffered to as Joe Smith, recalls that "The 40's was the happiest decade I remember growing up. It was the last decade before the world turned upside down in the 50's and 60's." He entered the marines in 1945 at the age of seventeen, joining at the tail end of WWII. He remained in service for 21 years and describes the experience as such, "The lifestyle was predictable; you know what you are going to do every morning, and I liked that. Some people didn't, but I did," (Smith). He does not have any specific memories of his service, he claims he never did anything worth remembering; however, he has extensive memories of life before entering the marines.

Media in the War
Movies and radio were the main means of communication in the 40's, and because of the war most media depended on these as a way of promoting and informing listeners about the war. My subject recalls "Any pictures that depicted war at that time were popular. My favorites were The Fighting 69th with James Cagney, The Flying Leathernecks with John Wayne and Sergeant York with Gary Cooper, this one was most popular," (Smith). Most people think of war as tearing people apart, but it also brings people together. Smith compares the lifestyle of today with his memories of the forties, concluding "You never had to lock your door at night, because there was no fear of anyone breaking in. There was no tension between people, during or before the war. The war affected everyone; almost everybody had someone killed or injured in the war. It was our way of coming together."

Life During the War

Smith was born in 1928, growing up during the Great Depression; however, he was "too young to realize," any major financial disasters as a result of the economic issues. Smith repeatedly refers to the 40's as "the best" and "the happiest" time of his life, despite the difficulties created by war and the economy. Smith describes "when the war broke out, lines of people wanted to enlist; they felt it was their duty. I think it was a combination of wanting to serve their country and get back at Japan." Almost everyone was involved with the war effort in the 40's; members of the same family joined the service together and often times multiple people were killed from the same family. These losses brought families and strangers together during the war effort, creating trust and forgiveness in a time of hostility.


School Days
School in the forties was not much different than it is now-a-days. Same basic subjects including math reading, science and history, however, there were no special subjects such as music or gym. When I asked Smith about his favorite subject in school he replied "History. History was my favorite subject. I loved to learn about the past." His love for history continues to this day, for he is intrigued with news and passes on his historic knowledge to family and friends. The main difference between school during the forties and modern-day school is that students today are more intrigued with learning and tend to get more out of their education. According to Smith, "Boys were waiting to turn 16 so they could quit school and join the military. They stayed in school until they were 16, worked for a year then enlisted." Like most boys his age, Smith attended school until 16, quit and worked in a factory for a year before he enlisted in the marines at age 17. Quitting school was the norm back then; in 1940, only 0.8% of children continued their education beyond the junior level, with 1.1% in 1945 (Curtin). More than half of the US population had completed no more than 8th grade in 1940, whereas today, 13 million teens report to high school everyday (Wikianswers). Another difference between school in the forties is with the teachers; Smith recalls "Every teacher looked like they were 80 years old. They were very strict, and there was a lot of discipline." He also explains "Back then, graduating high school was like graduating college now. It was a big deal because not many people did it. There was a reason I didn't go to college; there were no grants, no student loans, unless you were rich, you didn't go to college," (Smith). 60% of today's jobs require education past high school, compared to only 20% in the 40's (Wikianswers). Education is a big part of success today, and with financial aid and student loans, getting a higher education is more accessible for the average person.

Activities
Roller skating was very popular in the forties, as were other non-organized clubs and activites; on the other hand, organized events such as school football games are more popular today. Sandlot baseball was played often by teens, although shortages of wood and rubber due to the war effort required a higher level of imagination by the athletes. Despite these shortages, people were encouraged to continue participating in and supporting professional sports as a way to increase morale of the troops. The Green Light Letter was signed by President Roosevelt in 1942 supporting the continuation of baseball during the war. Baseball provided people with employment and was a relaxing and fun way to take your mind off the war. The importance of baseball games increased during the war, to a point where the Japanese tried to jam radio broadcasts. Half of the baseball players had enlisted by 1943 (Goodwin). Also a common game was kick the can, but the most popular entertainment was of course, the movies. The forties was known as "the heyday" (Goodwin) of movies; Smith recalls "It was 50 cents for a movie and a popcorn," and today we are lucky to go for under $10. With so many things changing and evolving, Smith says it best when he states "It was a whole different era."

Conclusion
By interviewing my subject I learned that even through war and murder, people are willing to come together and support the greater good. The 1940's was no doubt a difficult time in history, but for Joe Smith it was a cherished time in his life filled with happiness and fun. I learned how the horrors of World War II united America, showing our strength as a dominating world power. The war influenced media, fashion and entertainment, with war pictures gaining popularity. Movies and radio were used as propaganda and to update listeners on the stage of war. Children went to school similar to today, but most quit at the age of 16, worked for a year and then enlisted in the war. People felt it was their duty to honor America by fighting the Japanese; lines of Americans waited to volunteer to enlist when the war first broke out. Hardly any teens graduated from high school in the 40's and very few went off to college. You had to be rich to get a good education and with the war and just coming out of the Great Depression, rich people were second to none. Baseball was a main way of showing support for the troops and entertaining those waiting to hear from family in the war. Other activities such as roller skating and dancing also help soldiers recuperate after their service. The forties were thought to be characterized by war, hostility and genocide; however, my subject opened my eyes to all the great aspects of life during the forties. Through Smith I learned that troubled times bring people toegether and make happy memories.

Works Cited

Curtin, John. "School Days." War and Peace:Rationing and Rebuilding. Web. 13 May. 2011. <http://john.curtin.edu.au/1940s/school/>

"February 23, 1945: The U.S. Marines Raise Two Flags at Iwo Jima." Common American Journal. n.p., 2011. Web. 29 Apr. 2011. <http://commonamericanjournal.com/?p=25398>

Forster, Stig. "Total War and Genocide: Reflections on the Second World War." Australian Journal of Politics & History 53.1 (2007): 68-83. Academic Search Premier. EBSCO. Web. 18 Apr. 2011.

Goodwin, Sue. "1940-1949." American Cultural History. Web. 16 May 2011. <http://kclibrary.lonestar.edu/decade40.html>

Richa, Robert. "Bob's Baseball Museum." Web. 16 May 2011. <http://www.bobsbaseballmuseum.com/rare_items_2>

Smith, Joe. Personal interview. 24 Apr. 2011.

Steiner, Max. "Filmography." n.p., n.d. Web. 29 Apr. 2011. <http://chelsearialtostudios.com/maxsteinerpages/filmography.htm>

"What was life like for a teenager in the 1940's?" Wkikianswers. Web. 16 May 2011. <http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_was_life_like_for_a_teenager_in_the_1940s>