The Past Predicts the Future

Culture and EconomyOf

1940-1945

Events and news

Many interesting things happened in this era. Important events such as fast food

being invented, cartoons being depicted for the first time, and Hitler spreading his Final Solution across a segregated Nazi Germany.

Ghandi addressed Hitler in a

letter, begging him

to let go of Europe.

Germany had a vice grip on

Europe for the most part. Allies were weak and

needed support.

Elmer Fudd first appeared in

cartoons in his debut,

“Elmer’s Candid Camera”

McDonalds was

founded

Hitler was starting his phases of

“The Final Solution”

Historical Significance

Most events of WWII happened in this era The US economy is boosted by war

economy, ending the Great DepressionEurope is sliced up into a number of

different compromises and solutionsConcentration Camps were just beginning

to be used for Hitler’s Final Solution

Economy

While the world was suffering from war, and most of Europe was depressed, the United States made a huge profit off of making war-time supplies

Mechanical pencil companies, glass making companies, and other various trades were converted for war time production like bombs and sniping rifles

Money and Inflation

The German mark was worthlessUS dollar skyrocketed, causing economic

wealthThe cost of items inflated from all needed

items being sent off to Europe for solidersWomen, African Americans, and Mexicans

helped make the economy boom

Clothing Style

The vintage “pin-up” style started in this era

Dresses with big, puffed up skirts were just starting to deflate

Business suits were inWedge shoes were popularPinning up your hair and putting on fire

red lipstick were every day occurances for women

Music

Jazz and Big Band styles of music were very popular

Betty Boop was also popular for her musical image and cartoon antics

Frank Sinatra, Dizzy Gillespie (the voice actress of Betty) , and Cab Calloway were trademark singers of this era

Betty Boop – Minnie the Moocher

www.youtube.com/watch?v=HaZOXF83zBg

Price of Gas

18 cents per

gallon

Gas being

shipped to

Europe

Gas prices were skyrocketing

Carpools were encouraged to help war time effort

Trains, trolleys, and large automobiles used to carry large groups of people encouraged

Car Sharing Clubs

Car Sharing Clubs were popular

because of the gas being shipped to

Europe.

Price of a House

New house(1940)

$3920.00

Used house (1945)

$4600.00

House prices were rising slowly but surely. Supplies

were being shipped out to support

WWII.

Trends

Dr. Seuss made anti-Nazi propaganda Pet rocks were inAnti-Hitler propaganda Anti-Japan statementsZoot Suits Marriage

Television

Warner Brothers Cartoons were popularMusical Melodies had huge successBugs Bunny and Daffy DuckDr. Seuss made a huge profit on Nazi

propaganda (Ex – Star Bellied Sneeches)Truth or Consequences become popular

These are just samples of the many pieces of

propaganda that Dr. Seuss was

hired to make by the U.S.

government.

The Star Bellied Sneetches

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sh1qWZWNGGE

Popular Culture

Strong “Anti-Nazi” and “100% American” feel around America

Poodle Skirts and car care were hugeJitter bug dancing and Pin-up girls“KILROY WAS HERE” painted onto

pregnant women’s stomach’s

1940-1945

Important years for fashion, equality for women and racially diverse people, technology and weaponry. Though we don’t want to repeat

these years, they were of great importance to us.