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Chapter 9
WorldWar II
I
n 1939,WorldWar II had already begun
in Europe. German troops attacked the
country of Poland. Europe was again at
war. Again, the United States tried to stay
neutral. However, after Japan attacked Pearl
Harbor, Hawaii, on December 7, 1941, the
United States entered the war.
Germany
and
Japan
were trying to conquer theworld.
Again, Pennsylvanians were a tremendous
help indefeatingGermany and Japan.Miners
and factory workers were sent back to work.
This time, our state had 8,000 industries.
These industries made huge amounts of war
material. They produced coal, steel, cement,
ships, food, clothing, andweapons. Our state
was the largest producer of rifles and
ammunition.
More steel was produced in
Pennsylvania than in both Germany and Japan!
In 1945, the United States and the European
countries with whom they fought defeated
Germany and Japan.
Nearly 1,250,000of ourmen andwomen
served in themilitary,more than any other
state except New York. Nearly 100,000
Pennsylvanians were killed or wounded in
WorldWar II.Our stateprovidedmore than
100 generals. Thirty-two Pennsylvanians,
more than any other state, won the
Congressional Medal of Honor. That award
is our nation’s highest military honor,
symbol for bravery.
Pennsylvania was the location of 40
military posts. These posts were used to
train men and women, to store war
supplies, and to care for the sick and
wounded. In addition, 38 colleges trained
officers in different fields of study. The
Piper Cub airplane industry was begun in
Bradford, Pennsylvania. Later, the company
moved to Lock Haven. The Piper Cub was
known as the flying jeep ofWorldWar II.
WorldWar II ended in1945. Again, a large
migration of African-Americans came to
Pennsylvania cities to work in our factories.
Lifestyles that had begun to change in the
1920s went on hold until after the Great
Depression andWorldWar II.
ReviewQuestions
1. Onwhat continent andwhenwasWorldWar I fought?
2. Name three of Pennsylvania industries that helped thewar effort.
3. What group of peoplemoved to Pittsburgh afterWorldWar I?
4. Definewhat theGreat Depressionwas.
5. Whowas Gifford Pinchot?
6. Name three things Gifford Pinchot did to help Pennsylvanians during the
depression.
7. WorldWar II was fought when andwhere?
8. What product did Pennsylvania produce inWorldWar II that was more than the
enemy produced?
9. What is the CongressionalMedal of Honor?
10. What is a Piper Cub?
