MOBILIZING FOR WAR Chapter 20, Section 1 By Mr. Thomas Parsons

I. Converting the Economy A.The United States Economic output during WWII helped turn the tide in the war. 1. US was twice as productive as Germany and five times as that of Japan. 2. Success was due to mobilizing the economy before the US entered the war

B.Roosevelt’s Cost-Plus contracts 1. The government agreed to pay a company whatever the manufacturing cost was, 2. Plus a guaranteed percentage of the costs as profit. 3. It provided incentive to move quickly C.The (RFC, a depression agency) - Reconstruction Finance Corporation  Made loans to companies to help them with the cost of converting to war production

II. American Industry Gets the Job Done A.After the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor 1. Almost all major American industries converted to war production ,000 companies were converted to war production

B.The Automobile Factories 1. Turned to the production of trucks, jeeps and tanks. 2. They also built artillery, rifles, mines, helmets, pontoon bridges, cooking pots, and other military supplies 3. Producing nearly one-third of the military equipment that was manufactured during the war. 4. Henry Ford created and assembly line for B-24 bombers.

C.The shipyards of Henry Kaiser’s built many ships during the war but best known for the Liberty Ship 1. Basic cargo ship used during the war. 2. They were welded instead of riveted 3. Making them cheaper and easier to build and difficult to fall apart and sink.

D.The WPB - War Production Board ► Set priorities and production goals and to control the distribution of raw materials and supplies. E.The OWM - Office of War Mobilization ► Created to settle arguments between the different agencies

III. Building and Army A.In order to win the war, it was vital that the United States build up its armed forces. B.The SSTA - Selective Service and Training Act 1. After the Germans defeat of France, congress was no longer opposed to the idea of a peacetime draft. 2. SSTA was the first peacetime draft in American history

C.GI Training 1. At first, the numbers of draftees was overwhelming. 2. GIs named after the initials on their uniforms meaning “Government Issue,” 3. Basic training lasted eight weeks. 4. After the war some complained though the training was too short to be of any good 5. Most soldiers gained a sense of camaraderie that made them a more effective unit.

D.African Americans 1. At the beginning of the war, the United States military was completely segregated. 2. African Americans were organized into their own military units with white officers in command. 3. At home African Americans were disenfranchised (their right to vote was taken away)

D. African Americans (Cont.) 4. The Pittsburg Courier, an African American newspaper, launched the “Double V” campaign a.Stating that African Americans should join the war because it a win would be a double victory over racism b.Roosevelt knowing the Black vote would help him win, ordered military to recruit and send blacks into combat.

D. African Americans (Cont.) 5.The Tuskegee Airmen a. Congress created the 99th pursuit squadron b. African American unit c. Played an important role in the battle of Anzio in Italy

D. African Americans (Cont.) 6. In the Army – a.African Americans performed well receiving many distinguished service medals b.Segregation in the service did not end until st Lt. Vernon J. Baker Staff Sgt. Edward A. Carter Jr.

E.Women in the Service 1. May Congress created the Women’s Army Auxiliary Corps (WAAC) 2. By 1943 became an active part of war operations. Except for combat. 3. The Army, Coast Guard, Navy and the marines all set up their own women’s organizations.