The 1930s hit St. Louis with unrelenting economic hardship until war-based economies began to prepare for the inevitable global conflict of early World War II revitalized the St. Louis region's economy and relieved the population from the constraints of the Great Depression. The city experienced a 50% decline in manufacturing and unemployment levels above 30% by the end of 1933. Projects carried out by the Works Progress Administration put people to work, but did little to revive the city in difficulty. However, the threat of World War II relieved St. Louis of economic conflict and put men and women of all races to work contributing to the Allied war effort. St. Louis changed to adapt to new war industries by allowing companies to come to the area, such as Atlas Powder Company, and also changing current production practices for war, such as when Chevrolet converted to the creation of amphibious vehicles for the invasion of Normandy. The war created much-needed jobs for the city and its residents. World War II revitalized the city economically, but it also changed...