BRAZIL WWII

Social Impacts of WWII

 

         

                                                                                                   A social transformation took place rapidly                                                                                                      after World War 2. Throughout the 1940's                                                                                                      less than 30% of the population resided to                                                                                                      cities and towns. Later on, Brazil had two                                                                                                      of the largest metropolitan centers in Sao                                                                                                      Paulo and Rio de Janeiro. Before the war                                                                                                      the gross national product was in major                                                                                                         decline but this changed exponentially                                                                                                           when demands grew. The industrialized                                                                                                         sector produced a wide range of products                                                                                                       for the market and for export, including                                                                                                           consumer goods, intermediate goods, and                                                                                                     capital goods.  The Brazilian economy                                                                                                           suffered from extreme inflation causing                                                                                                           more economic problem simultaneously.                                                                                                         Eventually the Planto Real plan was introduced, stabilizing the economy. As far as the military goes, Brazil agreed with France to establish a French Commission in Brazil known as the French Military Mission. The task of this organization was to assist the Army and undertake modifications that would bring the Brazilian Army to the same level as European armies. This organization advanced for a long period of time, almost 20 years. Moreover,  it was designed to improve Brazilian Army Schools, doctrine, and equipment. Another unusual social change through World War 2 was the habit of smoking for women. Only the wealthy women who were high in society practiced this habit. But the women began to experience the stress from over working multiple jobs, which resorted to them relaxing during breaks, by taking a drag. With this popular trend also came women going to bars and clubs frequently to socialize with the men left behind. Birth rates before the war were low but now there was a baby boom! The birth rate started shooting up in 1941, paused in 1944-45 as 12 million men were in uniform, then continued to soar until reaching a peak in the late 1950s. This was the "Baby Boom. This was certainly one of the most drastic social changes for Brazil at the time.