The People Are Willing by William O'Neil

In the essay, The People Are Willing, author William O’Neill describes countless changes evolving during World War II in America. In his narration he recounts the challenges unfolding in American society as well as the promising outcomes of war. Amongst the challenges were the shortcomings and failure of the government, scarcity and shortage of supplies and prejudice against women. Amongst the positive aspects of this era were the volunteerism and eagerness of people to participate in war efforts, especially women who carried the most burden. O’Neill concludes that it was because of people’s will, discernment and cooperation that America was able to out-produce its opponents in war. This determination and spiritedness amongst people also helped breathing a new life in America that was recovering from the Great Depression.

During World War II, volunteerism was predominant. Most Americans believed that government’s authority was not essential, because people themselves could manage. The outpouring of volunteers and support from people overwhelmed Red Cross and Local Civilian defense offices. Congress, however, was not doing a good job. Government only encouraged the public to buy war bonds and participate in conservation, otherwise it did not stimulate the public’s participation in war. Government’s blunder and mismanagement was especially evident during the first years of war. Every political group was interested in pursuing their own agendas and as a result many scrap drive campaigns failed. The fact that government never found a way of fully harnessing people’s eagerness to help was its biggest wartime failure.

More importantly was government’s reluctance to take full advantage of women’s volunteerism and their participation in war efforts. Even the president of the General Federation of Women’s Clubs, which was a conservative organization, had complained that women were being discriminated against in the civil-defense program. In fact, the office of...