Mobilizing the U.S. for War Chapter 13 Sec. 4 and Chapter 14 Sec. 4

Key Areas to Mobilize for War The Military Industries & Science Public Citizens

Mobilizing the Armed Forces Finding Soldiers The government expanded the draft, which had been reinstated in 1940. Millions of young men volunteered. Some 16 million Americans entered the armed forces. Women 10,000 joined the WAVES, a navy program. 1,000 joined the WASPs, an air force program. 150,000 served in the WAC, an army program. Military Bases Most bases were built in rural areas. The military bases transformed parts of the United States. California, Florida, and Texas became home to large numbers of soldiers.

American workers could once again find jobs. The money poured into defense spending finally ended the Great Depression. American workers could once again find jobs. 4

This “production miracle” gave the Allies a crucial advantage. In 1944, American production levels were double those of all the Axis nations combined. This “production miracle” gave the Allies a crucial advantage. 5

FDR’s Production Goals 60,000 new planes in 1942, 125,000 new planes in 1943 120,000 tanks from 1942-1943 All goals were met Men like Henry Ford used their factories for such production

The Manhattan Project Scientific program to build an atomic bomb Started in 1939 in Los Alamos, New Mexico Led by physicist J. Robert Oppenheimer

The national debt skyrocketed. Taxes increased. Wages and prices were controlled. The war effort had a huge effect on the economy. Government agencies regulated what factories built, what prices they could charge, and how raw materials would be used. 8

As industries cranked out military goods, consumer goods became scarce. 9

Americans made many sacrifices, looking toward victory. • Shopped with ration books • Bought war bonds • Planted victory gardens • Collected scrap metal and other materials Americans were urged to do all they could to support the war effort, and they responded to the call. 10

Sacrifice and Struggle for Americans at Home Americans planted victory gardens. The United States began rationing food items such as coffee, butter, sugar, and meat. Metal, glass, rubber, and gasoline were scarce goods. Americans held scrap drives to collect waste materials that might be used in the war effort. Conserving Food and other Goods Americans bought millions of dollars worth of war bonds. Over half of the population did their civic duty and bought war bonds. Investing in Victory Families dealt with the absence of loved ones by displaying a flag with a blue star. Americans read news accounts of the war with great interest Paying the Personal Price

American Support for the War The Office of War Information- spread propaganda. Examples included posters encouraging people to join the armed forces or to save gasoline. The OWI also warned the public about the dangers they faced. Hollywood made a series of patriotic films that featured soldiers and workers on the home front.

What is Propaganda? Different forms of communication used to persuade a group of people towards the support of one belief or another Usually bias or misleading towards a certain way

Victory Gardens are Back!

Create Your Own Propaganda Poster In your groups, create a propaganda poster for World War II Poster should have some sort of slogan Either make the poster factual, or have it implying something