Notes: American Servicemen, Wartime Government, Wartime Consumers, Women at War

American Servicemen were called GIs, originally meant “Government Issue”, and it was stamped on all uniforms and supplies GIs began their service in training camps that taught the new recruits to drill, use weapons, and work together as a fighting team Less than half were then sent overseas Life in combat was difficult for servicemen - no beds, toilet paper, or showers and rations consisted of dried or canned foods

When WWII began, the government needed to transform the nation from a consumer economy to an “arsenal of democracy” FDR set up the War Production Board that directed factories to produce war materials and organized drives to collect iron, tin cans, paper, rags, and cooking fat The Labor War Board prevented strikes in companies or factories The sale of bonds provided the government with money for the war The Office of War Information controlled the information the public received

American consumers experienced shortages during the war Rationing items like sugar, meat, and coffee were strictly enforced Americans planted victory gardens to supplement their food supplies Clothing were designed to preserve cloth – women’s skirts were made without pleats and men’s pants without pockets (pocketless pants) or cuffs

When the war began, businesses feared that there would not be enough workers to provide labor for war industries 6 million women entered the workforce to replace men in service Although women earned less pay than men and faced difficulties in defense plant work, they appreciated the new opportunities Other women joined the military, where they were given noncombat assignments or trained as nurses