Objective: To examine the U.S. mobilization for war
Selective Service Act During World War II, 10 million men were drafted, and another 6 million men and women enlisted. 12% of U.S. population served in WWII. More than 15 million men and 350,000 women served in U.S. armed forces 18 % of U.S. families had a family member enlisted Most Americans felt the draft was operated fairly, giving deferments (exceptions) to some college students, 2 million agricultural workers, & physically or mentally unable to serve
Selective Service Act Signed Sept. 14, first peacetime draft Ages required to register at local draft boards Later ages were eligible for service
There was still discrimination in the military… Served in separate military units: –African Americans –Japanese Americans Served in “white units”: –Hispanics –Native Americans – Chinese Americans –Italian Americans * Racial prejudices and tensions often decreased as men served with men unlike themselves.
Government Controls the Economy (Find on p. 567, what the agency or law regulated) Agency/ LawWhat the regulations did Office of Price Administration (OPA) National War Labor Board (NWLB) War Production Board Department of the Treasury Revenue Act of 1942 Smith-Connally Anti-Strike Act (1943)
· Consumers faced a shortage of goods due to the war. - No new cars were produced after Examples: - Many items, such as fuel, butter, and sugar, were rationed during the war. Rationing: OPA created fixed amounts of products seen as necessary for the military.
Journal Write- Rationing Rationing affected every American in some way. As an American on the homefront, write a journal entry of how rationing has affected you or your family. Include what items are rationed, whether you live in a rural or city setting… Be creative! Draw a ration stamp in your journal write
U.S. War Time Posters for many reasons
The wartime demand for goods ended the Great Depression and unemployment fell.
“Rosie the Riveter” Poster Symbolized the millions of women that worked in factories producing planes, tanks, ships, and other war goods. We Can Do It! Rosie the Riveter Artist: J. Howard Miller · Women enjoyed a newfound confidence in their ability and right to work outside of the home and many began to earn salaries equal to men.
New Roles for Women ←1942: a woman grinds the points on drills, and the drills will be used in the war effort. Urgent need for women to enter the workforce: 1) to help with the war effort 2) to keep the nation’s economy going. · Over 6 million women entered the workforce, replacing men that joined the military.
But not all women worked… Only 4.4% of “skilled” jobs (like riveting) were held by women Only 16% of women workers worked in defense plants Number of working women increased by 57% during the war 400,000 African American women left domestic jobs for higher paying industrial jobs. Many women moved to war- production areas like Southern California Women kept the American economy going.
All the day long, Whether rain or shine, She's a part of the assembly line. She's making history, Working for victory, Rosie the Riveter. Keeps a sharp lookout for sabotage, Sitting up there on the fuselage. That little girl will do more than a male will do. Rosie's got a boyfriend, Charlie. Charlie, he's a Marine. Rosie is protecting Charlie, Working overtime on the riveting machine. When they gave her a production "E," She was as proud as she could be. There's something true about, Red, white, and blue about, Rosie the Riveter. Everyone stops to admire the scene Rosie at work on the B-Nineteen She’s never twittery, nervous or jittery Rosie the Riveter What if she’s smeared full of oil and grease Doing her bit for the old Lend Lease She keeps the gang around They love to hang around Rosie the Riveter Rosie buys a lot of war bonds That girl really has sense Wishes she could purchase more bonds Putting all her cash into national defense Senator Jones who is “in the know” Shouted these words on the radio Berlin will hear about Moscow will cheer about Rosie the Riveter! “Rosie the Riveter” Lyrics by Redd Evans and John Jacob Loeb, 1942
“Rosie the Riveter” Song Analysis- 1.What message does this song give to American women during WWII? 2.What message does this song give to American men during WWII? 3.By writing a song about working women of the war, what is the ultimate point the song is making?
Video Notes: Take Notes on these topics- 1)Military positions women served in: 2)Stereotypes of the 1940s that Hollywood and newsreels portrayed of women:
I Spy… You are about to see several images, documents, posters, and song lyrics that will provide a bigger glimpse into the American home front. For each image, write down your observations and your opinion of what is happening, etc.
Kenji - Manzanar This is a video to the song "Kenji" by Fort Minor, or Mike Shinoda of Linkin Park. It describes his family's life in the time of World War II and how they were put in a Japanese Internment Camp. Effects used in this make it seem as though the video was actually from 1942.