The outbreak of the Second World War ushered in a period of great prosperity and unity in Wisconsin. The depression years receded into the background as defense spending and military preparedness resulted in defense contracts for Wisconsin businesses. Rather than the dismal unemployment that had plagued the 1930s, labor was in high demand and wages and prices rose accordingly.
Both industry and agriculture shared in this prosperity. Wisconsin citizens quickly shifted to wartime production, becoming more dependent on orders from the military than ever before. Manitowoc, Sturgeon Bay, and Superior turned out submarines and other ships, once again becoming centers... more...
![Link to article: Wisconsin develops solutions to wartime shortages](/turningpoints/images/article.gif) | Wisconsin develops solutions to wartime shortages |
![Link to article: Citizens learn how to support the war through rationing, 1942](/turningpoints/images/article.gif) | Citizens learn how to support the war through rationing, 1942 |
![Link to article: Suggestions for neighborhood block leaders, 1943](/turningpoints/images/article.gif) | Suggestions for neighborhood block leaders, 1943 |
![Link to article: War changes education for women, 1943](/turningpoints/images/article.gif) | War changes education for women, 1943 |
![Link to article: Women workers at Allis-Chalmers during World War Two](/turningpoints/images/article.gif) | Women workers at Allis-Chalmers during World War Two |
![Link to article: A Milwaukee officer describes the attack on Pearl Harbor](/turningpoints/images/article.gif) | A Milwaukee officer describes the attack on Pearl Harbor |
![Link to artifacts: Auschwitz Concentration Camp Sweater](/turningpoints/images/artifacts.gif) | Auschwitz Concentration Camp Sweater |
![Link to book: The dead and missing from Wisconsin in June of 1946](/turningpoints/images/book.gif) | The dead and missing from Wisconsin in June of 1946 |
![Link to book: Supporting the war by conserving office supplies, 1942](/turningpoints/images/book.gif) | Supporting the war by conserving office supplies, 1942 |
![Link to book: Allis-Chalmers advises women workers on health and safety, 1942](/turningpoints/images/book.gif) | Allis-Chalmers advises women workers on health and safety, 1942 |
![Link to book: A manual for air raid wardens, 1942](/turningpoints/images/book.gif) | A manual for air raid wardens, 1942 |
![Link to book: Citizens are reminded to write letters to soldiers, 1944](/turningpoints/images/book.gif) | Citizens are reminded to write letters to soldiers, 1944 |
![Link to book: World War II veterans recall their experiences at home and abroad](/turningpoints/images/book.gif) | World War II veterans recall their experiences at home and abroad |
![Link to book: Wisconsin Holocaust survivors recall their experiences](/turningpoints/images/book.gif) | Wisconsin Holocaust survivors recall their experiences |
![Link to book: A Navy sailor recalls Pearl Harbor](/turningpoints/images/book.gif) | A Navy sailor recalls Pearl Harbor |
![Link to book: A 1944 cookbook featuring dairy products](/turningpoints/images/book.gif) | A 1944 cookbook featuring dairy products |
![Link to collections: Interviews with Holocaust survivors who came to Wisconsin](/turningpoints/images/collections.gif) | Interviews with Holocaust survivors who came to Wisconsin |
![Link to images: Photographs from World War Two by Dickey Chapelle](/turningpoints/images/images.gif) | Photographs from World War Two by Dickey Chapelle |
![Link to images: Women metal fabricators in Fort Atkinson](/turningpoints/images/images.gif) | Women metal fabricators in Fort Atkinson |
![Link to images: The Attack on Pearl Harbor, Dec. 7, 1941](/turningpoints/images/images.gif) | The Attack on Pearl Harbor, Dec. 7, 1941 |
![Link to manuscript: How a tablespoon of fat can save soldiers' lives](/turningpoints/images/manuscript.gif) | How a tablespoon of fat can save soldiers' lives |
![Link to manuscript: An Ashland soldier writes home at the end of World War Two](/turningpoints/images/manuscript.gif) | An Ashland soldier writes home at the end of World War Two |
![Link to manuscript: A Middleton nurse writes home from her hospital in India during World War Two.](/turningpoints/images/manuscript.gif) | A Middleton nurse writes home from her hospital in India during World War Two. |
![Link to manuscript: An airman from northern Wisconsin describes his experiences during World War Two.](/turningpoints/images/manuscript.gif) | An airman from northern Wisconsin describes his experiences during World War Two. |
![Link to manuscript: An Oshkosh aviator describes being shot down over Italy and life in a German prisoner of war camp.](/turningpoints/images/manuscript.gif) | An Oshkosh aviator describes being shot down over Italy and life in a German prisoner of war camp. |
![Link to manuscript: A military police officer from Polk Co. writes home about the war in the Pacific.](/turningpoints/images/manuscript.gif) | A military police officer from Polk Co. writes home about the war in the Pacific. |
![Link to manuscript: A sailor describes life aboard ship during World War Two.](/turningpoints/images/manuscript.gif) | A sailor describes life aboard ship during World War Two. |
![Link to manuscript: An Oshkosh woman's diary of living in occupied Florence, Italy, in 1943-1944.](/turningpoints/images/manuscript.gif) | An Oshkosh woman's diary of living in occupied Florence, Italy, in 1943-1944. |
![Link to manuscript: A Wisconsin paratrooper describes his service in Europe during World War Two.](/turningpoints/images/manuscript.gif) | A Wisconsin paratrooper describes his service in Europe during World War Two. |
![Link to manuscript: A Wisconsin infantryman describes his service in Europe during World War Two.](/turningpoints/images/manuscript.gif) | A Wisconsin infantryman describes his service in Europe during World War Two. |
![Link to manuscript: A Wisconsin army lieutenant describes being wounded by German shrapnel during World War Two.](/turningpoints/images/manuscript.gif) | A Wisconsin army lieutenant describes being wounded by German shrapnel during World War Two. |
![Link to manuscript: A Wisconsin infantry soldier describes life in German prison camps during World War Two.](/turningpoints/images/manuscript.gif) | A Wisconsin infantry soldier describes life in German prison camps during World War Two. |
![Link to manuscript: A Milwaukee colonel writes home from Europe, 1943-45](/turningpoints/images/manuscript.gif) | A Milwaukee colonel writes home from Europe, 1943-45 |
![Link to manuscript: A Wisconsin soldier sends home a valentine.](/turningpoints/images/manuscript.gif) | A Wisconsin soldier sends home a valentine. |
![Link to manuscript: A Wisconsin aviator describes missions in Asia.](/turningpoints/images/manuscript.gif) | A Wisconsin aviator describes missions in Asia. |
![Link to manuscript: A Janesville nurse in a Japanese prisoner of war camp, 1942-1945](/turningpoints/images/manuscript.gif) | A Janesville nurse in a Japanese prisoner of war camp, 1942-1945 |
![Link to manuscript: A Beloit sailor describes the attack on Pearl Harbor](/turningpoints/images/manuscript.gif) | A Beloit sailor describes the attack on Pearl Harbor |
![Link to manuscript: A Wisconsin sailor recounts the attack on his ship at Pearl Harbor](/turningpoints/images/manuscript.gif) | A Wisconsin sailor recounts the attack on his ship at Pearl Harbor |