Chapter 25.1 and 25.4

Americans Join the War 5 million volunteer for the war, but not enough, another 10 million come from the Selective Service Act Need was so great, Women’s Auxiliary Army Corps (WAAC), women would serve as volunteers in noncombat positions Many disagreed with this but becomes law in May 1942 By July 1943 so many women were serving as nurses, ambulance drivers, radio operators, electricians, and pilots that Army gave women full benefits

Recruiting and Discrimination Minority groups wondered, why fight for equality overseas or for the US when discriminated against 300,000 Mexican Americans volunteered 1 million African Americans, served in segregated units, limited to mostly noncombat roles (except for last year of war) Asian Americans joined but heavily discriminated against (accused of being spies) Native Americans also served in war effort

Getting the Economy ready…. Again, nation reorganized industry to produce for war. Factories shift from production of goods to making war supplies Need to have more workers because men left for war, women join the labor force in large numbers Rosie the Riveter Women still earned only 60% of what companies paid men, so companies happy to have women workers

Federal Government Takes Control As war production increases, fewer consumer products available, which should cause increase in prices (not good) FDR responds by creating, Office of Price Administration (OPA), goal was to fight inflation by freezing prices on most goods Congress raises income taxes (need $$ for war) Government sells war bonds War Production Board (WPB): job was to make sure industries produce what military needs for war, allocate necessary materials. Leads to Rubber drivers, scrap iron drives etc. Victory Gardens Rationing (fixed allotments of goods) need items for soldiers and war effort

Changes on Home front WWII ends the Great Depression puts people back to work both men and women 2nd Great Migration for African Americans Increased movement west Servicemen’s Readjustment Act (GI Bill): provides for education training for veterans

Changes on Home Front Beginnings of Civil Rights protests (fought for country should have = rights) The Double V Founding of CORE (Congress of Racial Equality), main goal was to fight racial segregation in the North

Japanese-Americans Faced harsh discrimination, especially on the west coast Internment Camps (start 1942), 110,000 Korematsu vs the US: court says internment camps are okay Later government apologizes and pay reparations

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