Mobilizing for Defense Mr. White’s US 2 History

Big Questions How did the sacrifices of the people of the United States help the war effort? Would you have been willing to make these sacrifices to help the United States? How did the sacrifices of the people of the United States help the war effort? Would you have been willing to make these sacrifices to help the United States? What was the impact of racism on the United States’ war effort? What was the impact of racism on the United States’ war effort?

Americans Join the War Effort Immediately after the attack on Pearl Harbor, men began showing up to volunteer Immediately after the attack on Pearl Harbor, men began showing up to volunteer Over 5 million would volunteer over the course of the war Over 5 million would volunteer over the course of the war Over 10 million others would be drafted using the Selective Service Act Over 10 million others would be drafted using the Selective Service Act

You’re in the army now… After volunteering or being drafted, new recruits would enter basic training After volunteering or being drafted, new recruits would enter basic training Goal of basic training was to take an untrained recruit and make them into a soldier Goal of basic training was to take an untrained recruit and make them into a soldier Men would learn how to use their weapons, hand-to-hand combat, and other knowledge they would need in combat Men would learn how to use their weapons, hand-to-hand combat, and other knowledge they would need in combat

Women Join The Effort Women couldn’t serve in combat roles, but could help in other ways Women couldn’t serve in combat roles, but could help in other ways US0 – held dances, entertainment, social gatherings, showed movies US0 – held dances, entertainment, social gatherings, showed movies WAC – Women’s Army Corps; these women filled non-combat jobs such as office workers, etc., to free up men who could be in combat WAC – Women’s Army Corps; these women filled non-combat jobs such as office workers, etc., to free up men who could be in combat

Discrimination in Recruiting Black troops – Over 1 million served, but weren’t allowed to serve in combat roles until last year of the war Black troops – Over 1 million served, but weren’t allowed to serve in combat roles until last year of the war Over 300,000 Mexican Americans joined armed forces Over 300,000 Mexican Americans joined armed forces Asian Americans, including many Japanese Americans, volunteered as well Asian Americans, including many Japanese Americans, volunteered as well Over 25,000 Native Americans served, some of whom were “code-talkers” that were used to keep Japanese from breaking code Over 25,000 Native Americans served, some of whom were “code-talkers” that were used to keep Japanese from breaking code

Industry Shifts to War Production Industries quickly shifted over to war production after Pearl Harbor Industries quickly shifted over to war production after Pearl Harbor Automobile production completely stopped; all auto factories turned to war production Automobile production completely stopped; all auto factories turned to war production Factories were putting out as many as one bomber every hour; some shipyards were putting out one cargo ship every four days Factories were putting out as many as one bomber every hour; some shipyards were putting out one cargo ship every four days

Women in the Workforce Of the 18 million people employed in defense industries by the end of the war, over 6 million were women Of the 18 million people employed in defense industries by the end of the war, over 6 million were women At first, people were reluctant to hire women; didn’t think they could handle factory work At first, people were reluctant to hire women; didn’t think they could handle factory work However, women became widely sought after, since they worked for less money than men However, women became widely sought after, since they worked for less money than men

Scientists and the Manhattan Project President Roosevelt created the Office of Scientific Research and Development to research new technologies President Roosevelt created the Office of Scientific Research and Development to research new technologies Radar Sonar Penicillin Most significant achievement was developing the atomic bomb Most significant achievement was developing the atomic bomb Albert Einstein helped design this weapon that would help win the war Albert Einstein helped design this weapon that would help win the war

The Federal Government Takes Control Fewer consumer products were available as the war went on; most production was for the war Fewer consumer products were available as the war went on; most production was for the war Prices started to creep upwards because of low supply Prices started to creep upwards because of low supply Federal government stepped in; froze prices on most consumer goods Federal government stepped in; froze prices on most consumer goods

War Bonds Americans were encouraged to purchase war bonds Americans were encouraged to purchase war bonds War bonds were loans bought by citizens War bonds were loans bought by citizens Government got money to support the war, and Americans would get paid back that money with interest after the war Government got money to support the war, and Americans would get paid back that money with interest after the war

War Goods Drives War Production Board planned drives for many goods needed in the war – scrap iron, tin cans, paper, rags, and cooking fat War Production Board planned drives for many goods needed in the war – scrap iron, tin cans, paper, rags, and cooking fat Children were sent out scouring for these materials Children were sent out scouring for these materials

Rationing The federal government began to restrict the amounts of certain goods that people could buy The federal government began to restrict the amounts of certain goods that people could buy Ration books were issued, with coupons that allowed families to buy certain goods, but limited how much they could buy Ration books were issued, with coupons that allowed families to buy certain goods, but limited how much they could buy Meat, shoes, sugar, coffee, and gasoline were rationed Meat, shoes, sugar, coffee, and gasoline were rationed Gas rationing was particularly hard on some people Gas rationing was particularly hard on some people This was used to free up materials for the war effort This was used to free up materials for the war effort