Employing Prisoners of War and the American Economy

The United States would never have experienced the 1950s Economic Golden Age if the German POWs had not aided in keeping the American economy running during World War II. While little data is available on the economic impact the prisoners of war made on the American economy, there is enough information to indicate that German labor made a significant impact on the American economy and materials for American soldiers. In fact, without their work stabilizing the country, war labor and other critical areas of work would not have occurred to the degree it did. This chapter will expand on the POW work program and document, as much as possible, the fiscal and social impact the POWs had on the American economy as they indirectly helped lead America into the 1950s Economic Golden Age.