by Sheryl Marlar
Historian Dr. Charles Chamberlain recently spoke on “Mobilizing the Arsenal of Democracy: How Georgia was Transformed Economically and Socially by World War II.” As a specialist in Southern history and World War II, his lecture was presented in conjunction with Ingram Library’s exhibit currently on display titled Over Here and Over There: Georgia and Georgians in World War II.
Dr. Chamberlain holds a Ph.D. in history from Tulane University. He is the author of Victory at Home: Manpower and Race in the American South During World War II. In addition, he authored several articles on the home front in World War II.
According to Dr. Chamberlain, the term Arsenal of Democracy was put forth by President Franklin Roosevelt to say that our defense industry supported democracy. One of the motives for World War II was to fight against fascism and spread American values internationally.
“A lot of the American effort in the war was made possible by American industry,” Dr. Chamberlain said. Georgia played an integral role in this effort. “It wasn’t just a military effort, but part of that effort included American industry that supplied the tanks, the planes, and the parachutes. Even cotton grown in Georgia supplied textiles for uniforms.”
In the time period of 1939-1941, mobilizing American industries for the war got the United States started on reviving its economy. “Mobilization efforts brought many regions out of depression in this time period,” he said.
The American South, Georgia in particular, played an essential role in the war effort. Georgia emerged from World War II as one of the South’s most economically vibrant states, on it’s way to becoming a major corporate and manufacturing center.
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