Hello everyone, today I have another WW2 effects for a state that is a pain in the butt to spell and use in full length. Some ancestors on my mothers side came to Mass on the Mayflower in 1620, some 400 years ago. The state has changed much since then, and played a critical role in the Second World War. I hope you all enjoy this thread, and learn something new!! Massachusetts Pre-WW2 Massachusetts is where the story of the United States of America began, way back in 1620 with the arrival of the Mayflower, more than 100 years would pass before Massachusetts became involved in an armed struggle to break away from the British Empire in the Revolutionary War. In 1788, Massachusetts became the 6th state in the Union. 80 years later, Massachusetts would again fight for freedom in a bloody struggle, the American Civil War. After that war, Massachusetts would go on to become a mostly industrialized state, with little agriculture left. Throughout all of these events in the U.S's history, the people of Massachusetts gained the reputation of being a people passionate about freedom, logic (In the form of Transcendentalist and mostly non-religious feelings), innovation, and money, a reputation they still obtain. When the Great Depression fell upon the people of Massachusetts in 1929, all of these traits were tried and tested once more. Massachusetts's government and people did an impressive job at maintaining equality for women and minorities by employing them in their factories and mills, while other states could not fathom the idea. The people remained mostly calm and collected in the midst of a 15% unemployment rate statewide, and closer to 20% in Boston, along with rampant homelessness. Innovation continued as well while factories and cities found ways to bring in money when money was hard to find. The government also helped the state out by funding new projects and plans to provide temporary jobs while improving the economy bit by bit. The Navy ordered the construction of 16 new ships to be built in the U.S's largest Naval Yard at the time, the Boston Naval yard. 5 new airstrips were built across the state to house USAAF installations. The Remington plant in Lowell, and the Springfield firearms in Springfield also got new orders from the U.S military for new 1903 and M1 Garand rifles. The people of Massachusetts were grateful and happy for the new workload, as it helped lower the unemployment slightly, and gently nudge along a stagnant economy. The increase in government expenditure and projects was no coincidence, the government was preparing Massachusetts and it's 4 million people for war, a war that was soon to come in December of 1941. Massachusetts WW2 When War finally did reach the state and the country, they were ready. The changes made to factories and mills throughout the state allowed for increased production on an previously unseen scale. Despite the geographically small size of the state, Massachusetts was pulling it's weight, and making a contribution that exceeded it's small size. Of the state's 4.3 million inhabitants, 480,000 volunteered or were drafted to serve during the war, the 8th largest contribution in manpower during the war. 2 million of the state's civilians worked in factories, government positions, and other war efforts. Of the two million, nearly 100,000 worked at the Boston Naval yard, where nearly 130 military, and 20 civilian ships were constructed from the war's beginning to end. Both the Springfield and Remington armories combined, produced over 3 million small arms during the war. While Boston was the biggest industrial base in the state, the towns of Worcester, Cambridge, Lowell, and Brockton also contributed greatly to the war effort. By war's end, Massachusetts had produced 3.4% of the U.S's industrial output, ranking 10th among other states. While Massachusetts made massive contributions on the industrial side of things, it also helped along the war effort with technological advancements in warfare. Massachusetts before and during the war, helped develop American radar, and ultimately improve it. One of these improvements was the H2X radar guiding system, which was a new system to improve bomb guidance. Agriculture also helped the war effort despite it's decreasing role in the state's identity and economy. Cotton produced in Lowell was used for uniforms, and a multitude of cranberries were sent abroad to feed the troops, and sent across the nation as well, as Massachusetts was (and still is) the 2nd largest Cranberry producer behind Wisconsin. When the war finally ended in September of 1945, 10,033 of Massachusetts finest lost their lives in the conflict, the 9th highest Casualty total among the 50 states. Massachusetts Post WW2 WW2 allowed for the trying and horrible economic conditions of the 30's to dissipate completely, while ushering in a new and bright future for Massachusetts. The war brought about massive change in the towns and cities of the state, bringing about Suburbanization everywhere. "In Eastern Massachusetts, following World War II, the economy was transformed from one based on heavy industry into a service-based economy. Government contracts, private investment, and research facilities led to a new and improved industrial climate, with reduced unemployment and increased per capita income. Suburbanization flourished, and by the 1970s, the Route 128 corridor was dotted with high-technology companies who recruited graduates of the area's many elite institutions of higher education." (National WW2 Museum) Many of the factories and facilities that had been crucial to the war effort continued on, such as the Springfield armory, and the Boston Naval Yard. However, Springfield had to pack up and leave the state due to the rough economic times of the 70's, and the Naval yard was decomissioned in 1974, leaving only 10% of the original yard that was built in 1800. Things have improved significantly since the downturn in the 70's, and the state is ranked as the 3rd most innovative state in the U.S, while also being one of the most diverse, housing, hispanics, French-Canadians, Italians, Chinese, and Vietnamese immigrant families. A state founded on religious belief and practice, has now ironically become the least religious state in the U.S. The state's population has risen to an impressive 6.9 million people, and is expected to reach 9 million in 2020. Massachusetts - Wikipedia The National WWII Museum | A Salute To Freedom The Mayflower arrives in America, 1620 The Revolution began in Massachusetts in 1775, at Lexington and Concord The famed Mass 54th regiment that was portrayed in the 1980's film "Glory" Downtown Boston, 1934 Boston Naval Yard 1940's USS Monaghan, built in 1935 at Boston, this ship was docked at Pearl Harbor during the attack, and participated in 4 other battles during the war The famous Springfield armory that spanned an incredible 200 years The H2X radar system developed in Massachusetts Boston today What's left of the Boston Naval Yard, the USS Constitution is in the far right of the photo All of Boston's Professional Sports teams, the Celtics (NBA), Patriots (NFL), Bruins (NHL), Red Sox (MLB), Revolution (MLS), there are 36 championships between these 5 franchises...............I hate most of them
