Final answer:
American character during world war mobilization reflected national unity, respect for labor, and the spirit of individual contribution. The consensus on the moral righteousness of the war allowed a tolerance for some dissent while stirring strong nationalistic and propaganda efforts. This period reinforced traditional values and reshaped views on heroism and civic duty.
Step-by-step explanation:
The changes in American character during U.S. mobilization for world war teach us about national unity, the ennoblement of work, and the celebration of individual spirit. Wartime mobilization not only involved soldiers but transformed domestic life as citizens embraced meatless and wheatless days and viewed labor as a patriotic duty. The consensus on the war's moral imperative, after Pearl Harbor, allowed for relatively greater tolerance of dissent but also fueled pro-war propaganda and reinforced a narrative of American valor and determination.
The mobilization process and the participation in a global conflict reveal a significant shift in the American character. The experience of soldiers, mostly from rural areas, converging on urban centers, the impact of propaganda, and the recognition of the war as a moral crusade all reflect the nation's evolving identity. These changes include an increased willingness to defend ideals, a readiness to celebrate the dignity of labor, and an acknowledgment of the role of individual efforts in the broader context of state affairs, embodied in thematic war posters of the era. Throughout this period, traditional perspectives on purity, masculinity, and heroism were both reinforced and challenged.