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As World war II was coming full circle and the United States was figuring out their stance in the war, California was already booming in the industrial era, this was stimulated by Henry J. Kaiser of Oakland, creating the nearly impossible, establishing a shipbuilding facility. This was created from scratch was a shot in the dark but it came together quite well. This movement helped California into being the “Arsenal of Democracy” (Starr, 221). The industrial era boost California’s economy, which in turns brings California into a highly sought after location to raise a family in.
California came into power of the military phenomena without even realizing what they had done. While the Spanish-American war of 1898 “established the United States as an Asia pacific power” ( Starr, 219), this realization helped the United States see the potential that California had to offer the country in the fight for global military power. Prior to the war the Navy had a repair facility in San Francisco, giving California the sea power. The army expanded their forts throughout San Francisco bay as well. These big time moves only increased the appeal of California. During the depression years California did not get hit as hard due to all the industrial projects being placed in California. This wasn’t by luck but by one man’s ambition Henry J. Kaiser, He helped build “1,490 ships for a total cost of $4 billion: 822 Liberty ships; 219 Victory ships, a larger version of the Liberty; fifty small escort carriers; and an assortment of tankers, tenders and other crafts.” (Starr,235). How wouldn't want Kaiser in California it is the perfect establishment it had lots of space for these large facilities to build and then they had the coastline to ship this watercrafts out. California not only became the “Arsenal of Democracy, training camps, and port of embarkation” (Starr, 237) but it gave structure and consistency to citizen, which allowed more and more people the opportunity to live breed and start a life in California. After the war not only was California the “populous state in the nation” (Starr, 237) but it was the centerfold for the “American Dream” concept. Between the 1940 and 50’s the state population grew by 3.6 million, which was a 53 percent gain. Now that California had this great industrial era, which boomed the economy it only allowed for more great things to come. California was also known for their “biotechnology, in which california has always led the nation.” (Starr, 248) not only was this the beginning of a great state but it also helped California see that through “specific scientific, engineering, or technological advance emerging from california was linked to the effort to discover a truth, solve, a problem, make a profit, make productive use of one’s time, and in the process, make the world a better and more interesting place.” (Starr, 249) Star could not have said it better. California is the state of dreams, adventures and diversity. |
WWIIWWII wasn't the war everyone expected it to be, especially for California. California's roll in the war was mainly to build the ship,tankers and air crafts. It also was the place to train soldiers. California became the "Place", the place for jobs, for entertainment and for raising a family.
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Women in the work forceThe women of the war not only gave their fathers, husbands and sons but they gave their all. They had to work in the industrial field, agricultureand still come home and take care of the house chores. More than 350,000 women wore a uniform and served their country. After feeling as if they earned their right to work in the mens world once war ended they were forced back into the kitchen and told to structure the house again.
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getting rid of the enemyPearl Harbor changed our perspective on the Japanese. Not only was this a big phsycological blow but Californians decided that all asian americans could be a threat to society and they started locking them up.
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