Impact of World War II on the U.S. Economy and Workforce | World War II Stories

America’s involvement in World War II had a significant impact on the economy and workforce of the United States. The United States was still recovering from the impact of the Great Depression and the unemployment rate was hovering around 25%. Our involvement in the war soon changed that rate. American factories were retooled to produce goods to support the war effort and almost overnight the unemployment rate dropped to around 10%. Women went to work to fill jobs that were traditionally held by men. This segment of Iowa Public Television's Iowa’s WWII Stories includes historical footage and profiles how a civilian from Ankeny, Iowa supported the war effort.