Veterans of The Second World War

Demobilization and returning to normal civil society was a challenge for all nations that took part in World War II. All disabled soldiers had to face differing interpersonal conflicts, as they suffered from societal prejudice on returning to their homes. The Soviet Union used extensive propaganda to depict a glorious return of its soldiers to work in strengthening what was perceived as the global Communist revolution. American soldiers were seen as heroes who had returned home and could restructure the gender order of American communities. (Jarvis p.98) Yet, the disabled soldiers who returned home were treated quite differently, through social stigma and economic scrutiny.  

    The American government initially wanted to help their soldiers return to everyday life, but was unsure about how to sufficiently help soldiers who suffered from psychological trauma from the war. The United States was also still embroiled by racism and white supremacy, even though they had gone to war with Germany to end the threat of fascism. Americans wanted to restore the old normal processes of gender roles so much that they changed the narratives surrounding neurological disorders in order to make psychologically disabled men feel more “masculine.” (Jarvis p.102) The role of women changed to become therapists for their disabled husbands, as the VA pressured their husbands to return back to work. Meanwhile, disabled Black Americans had been discriminated against by their local VA hospitals, and were still treated as unequal Americans despite their sacrifices during the war. (Jefferson p.1118) Although America wanted to help its veterans, it was not willing to change its old principles to accommodate the needs of suffering Black American veterans.  

    In comparison to the Soviet Union’s attempts at returning servicemen to a civil society, America had it far easier, as its cities were still standing. Soviet troops returned to their cities and towns only to be put on waiting lists for homes and employment. The disabled Soviet veterans were regarded as a nuisance, hindering the movement of the state’s reconstruction efforts. (Dale p.129) Bribery and corruption swept through the Soviet bureaucracy, creating massive problems for their technocratic procedures in rebuilding a new Communist society. For Soviet veterans, rebuilding their lives was the last phase of ending World War II, having to fight red-tape daily in order to survive.