What was America’s response to Pearl Harbor? How did America mobilize for war?

American Mobilization America set out to prove Japan wrong “Remember Pearl Harbor” 5 million volunteer for service Selective Service System (draft) expanded

American Mobilization Factories converted to war production Bomb parts, mosquito netting, etc Shipyards and plants expanded rapidly

American Mobilization War Production Board (WPB) decided which companies would convert to wartime production Organized drives to collect materials Metal, rubber, etc

Propaganda What is it? Used extensively throughout WWII Used to convince people to do certain things

American Mobilization Rationing system set up Fixed amounts of goods necessary for the military Received coupons used for buying scarce goods Meat, shoes, sugar, gasoline, etc

“Rosie the Riveter” Norman Rockwell May 29, 1943

“Liberty Girl” Norman Rockwell September 9, 1943

American Mobilization The military’s needs were so great the Women’s Auxiliary Army Corps was formed (WAAC) Women volunteers served in noncombat positions

Women 6 million women entered workforce 1/3 worked in defense plants Who did traditionally female work? (cooking, cleaning, childcare) Women Double shift- the wartime role of women to work fulltime and care for the home

Prejudice, Fear of “enemy” West Coast- prejudice and panic everywhere California- Japanese 1% of population Newspapers attacked Japanese Americans

Presidential Action February 19, 1942- Executive Order 9066 Required removal of Japanese Americans from CA, WA, OR, AZ Justified as act of national security

Japanese Internment 110,000 shipped to “relocation centers” (prison camps) 2/3 were Nisei People with Japanese parents born in America (American citizens) Families forced to sell homes, businesses, belongings

Life in Camps Isolated areas, harsh weather Housing- barracks, families lived together Dining halls Armed guards around perimeter

Fighting for Justice A few Japanese Americans fought back Korematsu v. United States Fred Korematsu- posed as Chinese in CA Arrested for violating Order 9066 Tried by Supreme Court How would you rule?

Korematsu Trial Decision Guilty The government’s policy of evacuating Japanese Americans to camps was justified “military necessity,” not racism What kind of legacy is this?

What do you think? Answer Yes or No, choose two and explain Japanese internment was justified during WWII. Japanese internment is still justified (from our contemporary perspective.) German and Italians should have been interned with Japanese Americans. Survivors of internment and their ancestors deserved an apology and monetary reparations from the US government. Which is more important- individual liberty or national security?