Final answer:
The specific homicide rate per 100,000 Americans in 1940 is not provided in the data. To obtain this information, one would typically consult historical crime records such as the FBI Uniform Crime Reports. The rates have varied over the decades and can differ based on numerous factors, including geographical location.
Step-by-step explanation:
The student has inquired about the homicide rate per 100,000 people in the United States during the year 1940. Although the data provided does not include specific figures from that year, historical crime statistics indicate that homicide rates have fluctuated through the decades based on a variety of social, economic, and political factors. For an exact homicide rate in 1940, one would typically refer to historical FBI Uniform Crime Reports or other credible historical sources. However, since such figures are not provided here, we are unable to accurately answer the student's question with the given data.
It should be noted that studies, such as those by the Pew Research Center, show trends like the decrease in gun homicide rates since peaks in the 1990s. Furthermore, geographical variations in homicide rates can be observed, such as higher murder rates in the Deep South, as per FBI data. These trends and regional differences provide a broader context to understand how homicide rates can vary over time and by location. Thus, while we lack the specific information for 1940, it is evident that homicide rates are influenced by a multitude of factors and can change significantly over time.