Ovadia 1The 1940s The Most Influential Decade of the 20th CenturyDuring the 20th century, the United States went from being a large but simple country to becoming a world power. The United States has participated in many wars, its population has almost doubled, and it has become a leader in the world's economic industries. The rapid change the United States experienced lasted several decades (and continues today), but of all the decades of the 20th century, one stood out from all the others. This decade brought the United States out of the Great Depression, emerging it as one of the most powerful countries in the world and heavily influencing contemporary America today. This influential decade was the decade of the 1940s. The 1940s were the most influential decade for contemporary America due to their enormous influence on both civilian and military technology, changed the role of women and African Americans in society, and ultimately pulled the United States out of isolationism . the most influential decade for contemporary America is its enormous influence on technology. During the 1940s, as the United States was drawn into World War II, the government realized that it would need to expand its arsenal so it could defeat enemies on both fronts. The threat of war caused the United States to begin developing and building many weapons including new tanks, rifles, machine guns, artillery, airplanes, and any other items vital to the defeat of the Axis powers. Many civilian industries were converted to military use. For example, aircraft manufacturer Boeing modified its B-17 bomber and later built the B-29 and an automobile manufacturer began creating military vehicles such as the Jeep which was considered… the paper vehicle.. .. ..it goes back to being an isolationist country and if that had happened, the United Nations would have lost its most powerful member. This also would have led to the possibility of some countries oppressing Ovadia and 6 others. The 20th century advanced the United States more than any other century. Its influence spread throughout the world and the country was known as the world superpower. Of all its decades, the 1940s were particularly remarkable. In those ten years the United States had made technological advances like never before, had changed the lives of women and African Americans, and had taken the country from being isolationist to one of the most involved in world affairs. If that decade had not been as influential as it was, the United States and even the entire world might have turned out very differently.