The Home Front: World War II This is a propaganda picture of Pearl Harbor under attack by Japan with Uncle Sam calling for revenge.

E. America Enters World War II (1945-Present) Describe circumstances at home and abroad prior to U.S. involvement in World War II Identify the significant military and political aspects of World War II

Pearl Harbor Backfires on Japan Japan believed that attacking Pearl Harbor would intimidate the USA and stop them from challenging their conquest of the Pacific. However, the opposite occurred. Many Americans wanted to be neutral in foreign conflicts, until Pearl Harbor. After the attack, five million volunteered for military service. The Selective Service Act brought this number up to ten million soldiers. America was ready to fight back against the Axis Powers. Together the USA, France, Britain, the USSR, and China formed the Allies. Copyright, USHistoryTeachers.com All Rights Reserved.

the nation and avenge Pearl Harbor. Japan thought that Pearl Harbor would weaken the USA. However, it emboldened many to enlist to defend the nation and avenge Pearl Harbor.

The Alliances of World War II The Allies * The USA * * Great Britain * * France * * The USSR (Russia) * * China * The Axis Powers * Germany * * Italy * * Japan * VS.

Minorities and World War II Women were able to serve as noncombatants in the Women’s Auxiliary Army Corps (WAAC). Women served as nurses, factory workers, and other noncombatant roles. Many African American leaders, like A. Philip Randolph, were concerned that African American men would be dying for a nation that treated them unjustly through segregation. Despite the unfair treatment, more than one million African Americans served in World War II. After WW II, many Civil Rights leaders pointed to the brave sacrifice of African Americans to demand Civil Rights for all. Copyright, USHistoryTeachers.com All Rights Reserved.

A. Philip Randolph was a strong proponent of Civil Rights for African Americans during and after World War II.

The Nation Increases Production American factories were redesigned for war. For instance, Car factories made tanks and bottling companies added ammunition to missiles. Many Americans found work in this new war industry. Like in WW I, millions of women began working in factories to make war supplies. A. Phillip Randolph threated to march over 100,000 people in Washington D.C. to protest, if the war industry efforts discriminated. FDR desegregated the war industry sector as a result. This was a major victory for Civil Rights. Copyright, USHistoryTeachers.com All Rights Reserved.

Many women worked in the war industry to make military supplies to help the soldiers fighting overseas.

The United States government used propaganda and other methods to get women to help with the war effort. This poster was created by J. Howard Miller as a motivational poster.

The Economy and World War II The industrial activity needed to create supplies for the war eventually brought the USA out of the Great Depression. Despite the improved economy, the War Production Board (WPB) heavily rationed materials. This entity converted many factories to make war supplies. Americans had to practice rationing. Food, fuel, textiles, and other goods were in limited supply, so that these items could be sent to soldiers fighting in the war effort. Copyright, USHistoryTeachers.com All Rights Reserved.

Americans had to ration supplies during WW II to make sure that supplies could be sent to soldiers. In order to ration gas, people were asked to car pool to not waste fuel.

Japanese Internment Camps Many Japanese people lived in the USA when Pearl Harbor was attacked. Massive prejudice arose and Japanese Americans were accused of helping Japan. Over 100,000 people of Japanese descent, many of which were American citizens, were taken from their homes in California and other states and forced into internment camps. There was never evidence of wrong doing or even charges given to these citizens. This was a radically unjust, racist action taken by the United States government. Copyright, USHistoryTeachers.com All Rights Reserved.

The government issued notices that Americans of Japanese descent would be forced into internment camps. They had to abandon their homes and businesses.

Japanese internment camps were set up in various areas of the USA.

behind barbed wire fences. Those of Japanese descent were taken from their homes and forced to live in meager settings behind barbed wire fences.

property that they had to leave behind. During the relocation process, people brought whatever items they could carry. Yet, many lost most of their property that they had to leave behind.

Even Japanese children, who were born as American citizens, were forced to relocate to internment camps.

After World War II When the war ended, the USA was forever changed. The massive economic endeavors ended the Great Depression. Not only did the war efforts end the Great Depression, but the economy became radically reinvigorated and America entered into a very prosperous era. Congress passed the GI Bill of Rights for returning soldiers. This bill paid for college for those who wished to attend. This led to a surge in college attendance in the USA. Copyright, USHistoryTeachers.com All Rights Reserved.

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