World War II Chicago

Images of America: Illinois

by Paul M. Green, Melvin G. Holli

Chicagoans united in their World War II effort against the Axis powers. They signed up for military service, rallied to the call for increased wartime production, and aided the war effort through the rationing of food and gasoline. From fast growing victory gardens to mini-monuments to local servicemen-Chicago, the "City of Neighborhoods," saw all of its geographic parts vie for recognition and honor in a ethnic mosaic of patriotism.The war years ushered in changing times for Chicago. The city became an important military center as thousands of troops trained or passed through en route to the war fronts, while Chicago's civilian population engaged in manufacturing war materials. As defense plants sprang up all over Chicago, African-American tenant farmers, who migrated from the South, and women replaced the male labor force.

128 pages, Paperback

First published November 17, 2003

About the author

Paul Michael Green was an educator, author, researcher, and media pundit.

Librarian’s note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.

Reviews

[Chet Slonina]

A great historical read about the War effort in and around Chicago. The call for the city was met with the different ethnicities answering the call of duty. Great Lakes Naval Air Station, Navy Pier and a host of companies contributed to the war effort as well as the shift of workers who performed the tasks needed to maintain the military production output. The end of World War II saw sweeping changes in education, suburban life and a better middle class outcome.