On the Homefront of WW2

The Homefront  Term given to the United States mainland during World War II.

Pearl Harbor united the country like never before or since.

Unlike today, ALL Americans, even kids, were expected to sacrifice and support the war effort. WWII was total war. WWII affected every aspect of American life.

How did Americans support the war at home?  1. Joining the armed forces. Millions of Americans volunteered to join the military. The Selective training and Service Act of 1940 began the Draft and millions more were drafted. A total of 15 million Americans served in the military.

2. Rationing. Every family had to limit the amount and types of food you could buy and eat.

You could only buy a limited amount of gasoline. You had to carry a ration card to buy food and gas and could not buy more than the card allowed.

CONSERVING GASOLINE

Rationed Items Cars Bicycles Gasoline Fuel Oil & Kerosene Rubber Shoes Sugar Coffee Meats, canned fish Cheese, canned milk, fats

Many goods were in short supply or unavailable, including new cars, tires, women’s nylons, butter and sugar. Americans at home went without so their soldiers could have plenty to win.

3. Recycling. People, especially kids, went on scrap drives collecting metal and rubber which were turned in to the factories to make weapons to win the war.

Where did the materials come from to make these aircraft?

Metals were forged in steel mills like this one? Anywhere else?

Recycled Metals

Metal objects were recycled to produce the weapons of war.

What is the tread on these tanks made from? Where did it come from?

Rubber was produced in plants like this one in Akron, Ohio. Where else did rubber come from?

Recycled Tires

While the soldiers were serving the U.S. both inside and outside the United States, civilians were encouraged to do their part to help win the war.

Writing letters…..to a loved one or to an anonymous soldier was encouraged.

V MAIL  V-mail worked by photographing large amounts of mail reduced to thumbnail size onto reels of microfilm. The film reels were shipped to the US, sent to destinations for enlarging, and printed out on lightweight photo paper. These facsimiles of the letter-sheets were reproduced about one-quarter the original size and the miniature mail was delivered to the addressee.

V MAIL POSTERS

Mothers and housewives were encouraged to contribute in many ways.

4. Paying for the war. Wars are expensive. People paid higher taxes, but that wasn’t enough. The government sold war bonds to the public. Famous entertainers and sports stars put on shows encouraging people to buy bonds to win the war.

War bonds were sold for as little as $18.75 and matured in ten years, at which time the United States government paid the bondholder $25.

Ten cent savings stamps could be purchased and collected in stamp albums until the buyer had accumulated enough stamps for a bond purchase.

5. PROPAGANDA. The government and Hollywood made patriotic movies, cartoons and posters. The Boy Scouts put up one million posters. Almost all famous movie stars and professional athletes either joined the military or helped out.

Boy Scouts put up one million posters nationwide.

6. PRODUCTION. The biggest change was in the economy. WWII brought an end to the Depression. Millions went to work in factories making tanks and airplanes, ships, trucks and guns.

American war production was amazing. We produced 350,000 planes, 10 million rifles, 2.5 million trucks, 7,000 ships and 607 million tons of oil.

During the war the U.S. was known as the Arsenal of Democracy. We produced more than all the other warring countries combined. American production really won WWII.

7. WOMEN. A HUGE contribution was made by American women. Millions went to work in the factories to replace the men who were fighting. They were known as “Rosie the Riveter”. For many women it was the first time they had worked outside the home.

Additionally, 300,000 women entered the armed forces.

8. American farmers not only fed our troops but also fed our Allies. At home, families were asked to grow Victory Gardens in the backyard so more food would be available for the soldiers to win the war

Victory Gardens Gardens that were planted by American civilians during World War II. Victory gardens accounted for 40% of the food grown in the U.S. during World War II. Gardens that were planted by American civilians during World War II. Victory gardens accounted for 40% of the food grown in the U.S. during World War II.

Victory Garden Posters

The Victory Farm Volunteers program employed youths from ages 11 to 17.

9. AFRICAN AMERICANS. Despite discrimination, millions of black Americans supported the war effort. Hundreds of thousands served in the military, usually in segregated units. Most were in support units and kept out of front line combat.

A famous exception were the Tuskegee Airmen fighter pilots who made an excellent record shooting down German planes. The need for workers and soldiers did break down some racial barriers temporarily, but the fact that blacks loyally served their country was a powerful argument for civil rights after the war.

10. JAPANESE AMERICANS. The most disgraceful thing the United States did in WWII. Because of racial prejudice, over 100,00 American citizens of Japanese descent were taken from their homes and placed in internment camps in 1942, where they were kept under guard for the rest of the war.

Despite this treatment, many Japanese Americans, who were called Nisei, joined the military. Most served in the 442 nd Combat Team that fought Germans in Italy and France. The 442 nd was the most decorated unit in the U.S. Army. The Germans were always surprised when they were attacked by Japanese soldiers.

11. THE ULTIMATE SACRIFICE. 413,000 Americans paid the ultimate price in the war and gave their lives to keep us free and save the world from tyranny.

How to Use this information  Using your notes, place illustrations on the map of Hometown, USA to depict at least five ways that Americans on the homefront sacrificed and contributed to the effort to win World War II.

Evaluation  You will turn in your paper at the end of the period for a grade. You will be graded on the accuracy of your notes and illustrations.