The Effects of WW II on the Homefront How life changed for Americans in the USA

The End of the Great Depression American involvement in World War II brought an end to the Great Depression. Factories and workers were needed to produce goods to win the war which put many people to work.

Women At Work Thousands of American women took jobs in defense plants during the war. (e.g., Rosie the Riveter).

Rosie the Riveter. National Archives. Produced by Westinghouse. J Rosie the Riveter. National Archives. Produced by Westinghouse. J. Howard Miller.

Rationing of Household Goods & Supplies Americans at home supported the war by conserving and rationing resources.

Recycle Recycle A young girl places scrap tin into jars for collection Children collect scrap metal on a pony-cart in Roanoke, VA Recycle

Butchers paid for saved fat then sold it to factories for ammunition.

Price Control Prices on consumer goods were controlled by the government. Price Control.

War bonds War Bonds in Daley’s Restaurant. Richmond, VA. 1942. You could purchase a $25 War Bond for $18.75. The government would take that money to help pay for tanks, planes, ships, uniforms, weapons, medicine, food, and everything else the military needed to fight and win. That’s the investment in your country. Ten years from the time you purchased your War Bond you could redeem it and get $25. 

Dr. Seuss goes to war.

Breaking Down Racial Barriers The need for workers temporarily broke down some racial barriers (e.g., hiring in defense plants), although discrimination against African Americans continued.

Japanese Internment While many Japanese Americans served in the armed forces, others were treated with distrust and prejudice, and many were forced into internment camps.

American involvement in World War II Sum it up: Ended the Great Depression. Factories and workers were needed to produce goods to win the war (Women/African Americans) Americans helped by conserving and rationing resources. Japanese internment camps.