Which best explains why the unemployment rate changed dramatically by 1942?
A.US mobilization for World War II created new jobs producing weapons.
B.Americans fled to Canada during the Great Depression, causing a decrease in the unemployment rate.
C.The US population declined because of Pearl Harbor, so the unemployment rate decreased.
D.The Great Depression and Dust Bowl created high unemployment.
The correct answer is A. US mobilization for World War II created new jobs producing weapons.
To arrive at this answer, we can analyze the options provided one by one:
A. US mobilization for World War II created new jobs producing weapons: This option suggests that the unemployment rate changed dramatically because the US government mobilized its resources for World War II, leading to the creation of new jobs in weapon production. Considering the massive scale of the war effort and the increased demand for military equipment, this could be a viable explanation for the change in the unemployment rate.
B. Americans fled to Canada during the Great Depression, causing a decrease in the unemployment rate: This option suggests that the unemployment rate changed due to Americans leaving the country during the Great Depression, resulting in a decrease in the unemployment rate. However, this option does not provide a clear connection between people leaving for Canada and a significant decrease in the unemployment rate. It also does not account for the specific timeframe of 1942 mentioned in the question.
C. The US population declined because of Pearl Harbor, so the unemployment rate decreased: This option suggests that the US population declined due to the attack on Pearl Harbor, resulting in a decrease in the unemployment rate. However, the attack on Pearl Harbor, though tragic, did not directly lead to a decline in the overall US population. Additionally, the question specifically asks about the unemployment rate changing by 1942, which indicates a specific timeframe that may not align with the immediate aftermath of the attack.
D. The Great Depression and Dust Bowl created high unemployment: This option suggests that the unemployment rate changed dramatically due to the combined impact of the Great Depression and the Dust Bowl. While this statement is generally true, it does not specifically address the changes in the unemployment rate by 1942, and it does not consider the potential factors introduced by World War II.
By analyzing the options and considering the context provided, option A, US mobilization for World War II created new jobs producing weapons, is the best explanation for the dramatic change in the unemployment rate by 1942.
When the unemployment rate changes dramatically, it's either because millions of people have lost their jobs (as now during COVID-19 shut-downs) and the rate goes up or because millions of people have found new jobs and the rate goes down.
What do you think?