The US in WWII Dec. 7, 1941: Japan attacked Pearl Harbor. How ready were we to respond?

Preparedness: Since WWI: –Isolationist –The Great Depression Unemployment down, but when programs were cut in 1937, went up. Programs had to be restored. (WPA) –Attack on Pearl Harbor Wiped out the Pacific Fleet –Unified Americans –Created Anti-Japanese feeling, esp. on West Coast

Mobilization How will the US convince businesses to retool for war equipment? –Huge expense! What sacrifices will civilians be willing to make? How will the US put together both a military force (enough to fight two fronts at once) and build a navy, tanks, planes… fast? –Is there enough manpower for both??

Selective Service 5 million rushed to enlist –Conscription still needed 8 weeks basic training Work force needs demanded more: –WAAC created to supplement Driving, pilots, nurses, radio ops, clerical work Women get official status, salary; no benefits

Minorities: Blacks had no equal rights in the US –Were drafted in large #s Chinese Exclusion Act barred immigration –Chinese already here had no rights –But enlisted, served Chinese Exclusion Act repealed 1943 Japanese enlisted (not allowed until after 1943) Native Americans & Mexican Americans enlisted in large numbers

Production Auto production stopped 1942 –Converted to tanks, boats, planes, command cars Shipyards, defense plants grew, multiplied 18 million workers filled jobs –More than 6 mill women –In defense plants, women, minorities faced prejudice Many refused to hire African Americans, except for janitorial work –A. Philip Randolph organized march on Washington –FDR issued executive order for equal hiring »Randolph cancelled the march

Science Office of Scientific Research & Development –Improved radar and sonar –Developed miracle drugs (penicillin) –Atomic Bomb Learning that Germany was splitting Uranium Atoms- –OSRD set up Manhattan Project at Columbia U

Government Control Danger of inflation –Supplies of consumer goods declined –Demand increased OPA (Office of Price Control) froze prices, wages Rationing: coupon books issued for scarce goods –Shortages existed on rubber goods, meat, shoes, sugar, coffee, gas Congress raised, extended income tax –Encouraged buying war bonds Result: inflation stayed below 30% WPB War Production Board –Decided which plants built which products, got them the raw materials –Launched nationwide drives for scrap metals, paper, rags, cooking fat