1940 United States Census

High school (ages 12+)
People & Society

Name:

Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/1940-united-states-census

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. Where is 1940 United States Census?United States, including Alaska, Hawaii, and Puerto Rico
2. How big is 1940 United States Census?3,022,387 square miles (continental US)
3. What language do people speak in 1940 United States Census?English
4. What is the population counted?132,164,569 individuals
5. Why was the 1940 census important during World War II?It was taken while the U.S. was getting ready for World War II. The data showed how many workers and factories there were, which helped plan for the war.
6. How did the census count people in faraway places?Enumerators, who were often local residents, went to homes by walking, driving, or using special plans to reach remote areas like the Mountain West. They used forms and talked to people to get the information.

Reapportionment: The process of reassigning the number of seats in the House of Representatives based on population changes.
Demographic Transition: The shift from high birth and death rates to lower birth and death rates as a country develops.
Punch Card Technology: An early form of data storage and processing using holes punched in cards.