Americans in Wartime Section 3

Mobilizing the Home Front Combat Training Combat Training New bases opened across U.S. New bases opened across U.S. Men trained to fight in: Men trained to fight in: Jungles of Pacific Jungles of Pacific Deserts of North Africa Deserts of North Africa Towns and Farmlands of Europe Towns and Farmlands of Europe Women join the war effort Women join the war effort Joined all armed forces Joined all armed forces Women pilots logged 60 million air miles ferrying bombers from base to base, towing targets, and teaching men to fly Women pilots logged 60 million air miles ferrying bombers from base to base, towing targets, and teaching men to fly Were not allowed in combat, but many served near front lines Were not allowed in combat, but many served near front lines

A Miracle of Production War Production Board War Production Board Controlled what was produced Controlled what was produced Helped factories switch from consumer goods to making guns, ships, aircraft, and other war materials Helped factories switch from consumer goods to making guns, ships, aircraft, and other war materials 1942 alone, U.S. produced more than 48,000 planes, shipped 8 million tons of goods 1942 alone, U.S. produced more than 48,000 planes, shipped 8 million tons of goods Rationing – limiting the amount of certain goods people can buy Rationing – limiting the amount of certain goods people can buy Victory Gardens – at their peak, produced 40% of all vegetables grown in country Victory Gardens – at their peak, produced 40% of all vegetables grown in country

Women in the Wartime Economy Almost 5 million women entered the workforce in: Almost 5 million women entered the workforce in: Offices Offices Factories Factories Bus drivers Bus drivers Police officers Police officers Gas station attendants Gas station attendants Because of need won: Because of need won: Higher pay Earned same as men Better working conditions Gave women a new sense of confidence Gave women a new sense of confidence

African Americans at War Double “V” campaign Double “V” campaign Victory over the enemy abroad Victory over the enemy abroad Victory over discrimination at home Victory over discrimination at home FDR ordered the end of racial discrimination by businesses FDR ordered the end of racial discrimination by businesses Racial tensions increased as black employment increased Racial tensions increased as black employment increased Riots broke out in Detroit, New York, and other cities Riots broke out in Detroit, New York, and other cities

Continued Courage Under Fire Courage Under Fire Segregated Military Segregated Military African Americans served in all black units with white officers African Americans served in all black units with white officers Served in all branches Served in all branches Dorie Miller at Pearl Harbor Dorie Miller at Pearl Harbor Served on U.S.S. West Virginia Served on U.S.S. West Virginia Pulled his captain to safety Pulled his captain to safety Manned a machine gun and fought back Manned a machine gun and fought back Earned the Navy Cross for his actions Earned the Navy Cross for his actions

Tuskegee Airmen African American Fighter Unit African American Fighter Unit Blacks were not considered to have the intelligence, bravery, patriotism, or skill needed to fly in combat Blacks were not considered to have the intelligence, bravery, patriotism, or skill needed to fly in combat Trained at Tuskegee, Georgia Trained at Tuskegee, Georgia Served as escorts for bombers Served as escorts for bombers Nearly perfect record of not losing U.S. bombers Nearly perfect record of not losing U.S. bombers Shot down or damaged about 400 enemy aircraft Shot down or damaged about 400 enemy aircraft Over 15,000 air missions flown Over 15,000 air missions flown Medals awarded Medals awarded 150 Distinguished Flying Crosses earned 744 Air Medals 8 Purple Hearts 14 Bronze Stars

Japanese Americans Forced Relocation Forced Relocation Loyalty was questioned after Pearl Harbor Loyalty was questioned after Pearl Harbor Feared as spies, saboteurs Feared as spies, saboteurs About 110,000 were forced to sell homes, businesses, and farms About 110,000 were forced to sell homes, businesses, and farms Had to live in Internment Camps Had to live in Internment Camps Many of them were American citizens born in the United States Many of them were American citizens born in the United States

Continued In the Service In the Service Thousands served in the armed forces Thousands served in the armed forces Most fought in segregated units in Europe Most fought in segregated units in Europe 442 nd Nisei Regimental Combat Team became the most highly decorated military unit in U.S. history 442 nd Nisei Regimental Combat Team became the most highly decorated military unit in U.S. history 1988 – Congress apologized to Japanese Americans who were forced out of their homes and received $20,000 as compensation 1988 – Congress apologized to Japanese Americans who were forced out of their homes and received $20,000 as compensation

Other Groups Face Problems Germans and Italians were held in government camps as “enemy aliens” Germans and Italians were held in government camps as “enemy aliens” Bracero program – Mexicans came to U.S. to work on farms and railroads Bracero program – Mexicans came to U.S. to work on farms and railroads June 1943 – sailors attacked young Mexican Americans, violence blamed on the Mexican Americans June 1943 – sailors attacked young Mexican Americans, violence blamed on the Mexican Americans Many served bravely in the military Many served bravely in the military