Mobilizing for Defense The United States in World War II #1

I. Americans Join the War Effort A. Expanding the military A. Expanding the military 1. Army Chief of Staff George Marshall introduced the Women’s Auxiliary Army Corps (WAAC).1. Army Chief of Staff George Marshall introduced the Women’s Auxiliary Army Corps (WAAC). 2. Women would serve in non-combat positions.2. Women would serve in non-combat positions. 3. Nurses, ambulance drivers, radio operators, electricians, and pilots.3. Nurses, ambulance drivers, radio operators, electricians, and pilots.

B. Other volunteers B. Other volunteers ,000 Mexican Americans joined the war ,000 Mexican Americans joined the war ,000 Chinese Americans, 33,000 Japanese Americans, and 25,000 Native Americans.2. 13,000 Chinese Americans, 33,000 Japanese Americans, and 25,000 Native Americans. 3. The Japanese served as spies and interpreters and the Navajo language became an unbreakable U.S. code.3. The Japanese served as spies and interpreters and the Navajo language became an unbreakable U.S. code. 4. Many African-Americans joined the war effort as well, but did not see action until the final year of the war due to widespread racism.4. Many African-Americans joined the war effort as well, but did not see action until the final year of the war due to widespread racism.

II. A Production Miracle A. The Industrial Response A. The Industrial Response 1. Shipyards and defense plants expanded with incredible speed.1. Shipyards and defense plants expanded with incredible speed million new workers were women. (Rosie the Riveter)2. 6 million new workers were women. (Rosie the Riveter) 3. Automobile factories started to produce tanks and planes.3. Automobile factories started to produce tanks and planes. 4. Ships were being built in a record 4 days4. Ships were being built in a record 4 days 5. However, women only earned as much as 60% of men and Blacks were often not allowed to hold certain jobs.5. However, women only earned as much as 60% of men and Blacks were often not allowed to hold certain jobs.

6. A. Phillip Randolph, the nations most respected Black labor leader promised to lead 100,000 Black protesters to Washington if FDR did do something to ensure their rights in the workplace. 6. A. Phillip Randolph, the nations most respected Black labor leader promised to lead 100,000 Black protesters to Washington if FDR did do something to ensure their rights in the workplace.

“To provide for the full and equitable participation of all workers in defense industries, without discrimination because of racism, creed, color, and or national origin.” “To provide for the full and equitable participation of all workers in defense industries, without discrimination because of racism, creed, color, and or national origin.”

B. Mobilization of Scientists B. Mobilization of Scientists 1. Office of Scientific Research and Development (OSRD).1. Office of Scientific Research and Development (OSRD). 2. The Manhattan Project was the secret project to develop the atomic bomb before the Nazis did.2. The Manhattan Project was the secret project to develop the atomic bomb before the Nazis did.

III. The Federal Government Takes Control A. Economic Controls A. Economic Controls 1. The Office of Price Administration (OPA) was designed to fight inflation by freezing the prices on most goods.1. The Office of Price Administration (OPA) was designed to fight inflation by freezing the prices on most goods. 2. The War Production Board (WPB) ensured that the armed forces and war industries received the resources they needed to win the war.2. The War Production Board (WPB) ensured that the armed forces and war industries received the resources they needed to win the war. 3. The OPA also set up a system of rationing which is the establishment the fixed alloments of goods deemd essential for the military.3. The OPA also set up a system of rationing which is the establishment the fixed alloments of goods deemd essential for the military.