V-E Day in Chicago- Part 4: Coming Out of the Great Depression

When the war vegan in 1939, the United States was deep into the Great depression.  For a decade the American economy was in bad shape with nearly a quarter of the people unemployed.  President Roosevelt's New Deal programs brought some hope, then Europe went to war.

The United States first began to aid beleaguered Great Britain, then turned to itself to rearm and prepare for war.  Even before Pearl Harbor, out military was being built up and our factories began turning out amazing amounts of war munitions.  Jobs were now plentiful, if not in factories, definitely in the military.

Now, with the end of the war looming, the prospect of millions of ex-servicemen suddenly returning and competing for jobs made many wonder if victory was going to set the stage for another depression.

--GreGen