Unit 4 Discussion

The New Deal and America’s mobilization for World War II represented an unprecedented increase in the influence of the federal government in the lives of Americans. In the Globalyceum essay, historian Linda Gordon suggests that “although Americans did not realize it in 1932, the election of Roosevelt would usher in the establishment of the modern federal state–one that would significantly expand the role of the federal government and spread wealth to more of its citizens.” (Introduction) During the war, the government increased this expansion of the government, taking control of wartime production, encouraging women to enter the workforce, and offering opportunities to some minorities through wartime service or defense work.

Please read the book “A Different Mirror” by Ronald Takaki chapter 12&14.

Also watch two video below:

http://www.pbs.org/latino-americans/en/watch-video…

http://www.pbs.org/latino-americans/en/watch-video…

In your first post for the discussion, draw on course resources (readings, videos, and document problems) to answer the following questions in a substantial (1-2 paragraph) response. Please do not use online sources.

In what ways did the New Deal and World War II expand the influence of the federal government in the lives of Americans? To what extent did the New Deal and the war create opportunities for women and minorities or to what extent did these events represent the continuation of existing oppressions or inequalities?