The United States Enters World War II

Americans Go To War…UNPREPARED! Most of the early soldiers were under trained. The military leaders were unaware of Axis strength and ability. MUCH of the U.S. equipment was obsolete. In the early stages of the war, many Americans died because the U.S. had a lack of leadership.

After declaring war on December 8, 1941, the United States immediately began mobilizing the military and industry for war.

The industrial production boom in the United States during World War II: After Pearl Harbor… American industries immediately began to produce war necessities. This industrial increase pulled the U.S. out of the Great Depression, and caused wages to go up, unemployment to drop. Farmers produced enough food for the U.S. and most of the Allied Powers.

The Numbers… Government arsenal employees went from 22,000 to 486,000 The U.S. built 300,000 aircraft Shipyards built 88,000 landing craft 215 submarines 147 aircraft carriers 5,200 merchant ships Unemployment went from 14.6% to 1.2%

The War Production Board and the Office of War Mobilization: The War Production Board directed the conversion of existing factories to wartime production, and supervised the building of new factories.

War Production Board Set priorities and production goals for industry. Control distribution of raw materials and supplies. W.P.B. supervised over $185 billion in war materials.

The contributions of the War Production Board and the Office of War Mobilization. The Office of War Mobilization regulated production of consumer goods to assist in wartime production. For example, the OWM prohibited the production of cuffs or pleats, as this used extra fabric.

Wartime Production Auto industry made tanks, jeeps, trucks, planes, artillery, rifles, and helmets. Auto industry nearly made 1/3 of all materials for the war. Most major manufactures produced war goods. (ex: Singer sewing machine made rifles)

Compare to Axis production: Germany and Japan did not use mass production methods. They hand built their tanks and planes. The U.S. made fifty thousand tanks during WWII. Germany made 13,000. The U.S. made 50,000 thousand bombers, three times what Japan and Germany made combined.

Economic regulations that took place in the United States during World War II: Paying for the war meant raising taxes on some Americans. For this war, taxes affected more middle and lower class citizens. War bonds paid for much of the war as well. Government also froze wages for workers. The Office of Price Administration (OPA) set maximum prices for consumer goods, and rationed scarce items.

Economic regulations that took place in the United States during World War II: Rationed items included gasoline, tires, coffee, sugar, meat, butter, and canned goods.

How the United States raised the army leading up to World War II:  1940 – The Selective Training and Service Act created the first peacetime draft in U.S. history.  The STSA required registration for all men 21 to 35 (later 18-45).  2/3 of Americans in military were drafted; the rest volunteered.

How the media promoted involvement in World War II: Movies, music, and radio all encouraged support and participation in the war effort. Movie stars advertised for war bonds and entertained troops overseas. Radio stations broadcast war news mixed with regular programming, but abandoned spy programs and banned alarming sounds to avoid causing panics among listeners. Popular songs depicted the struggle of war.

The Office of War Information was given the job of providing news, promoting patriotism, and using propaganda to encourage certain behaviors from citizens. Examples can be seen on the next slide…

How the American people helped conserve resources during World War II: Millions of Americans planted “Victory Gardens” to make more food available for soldiers. People worked longer hours to produce more for the soldiers. The OPA issued ration books to families to limit consumption of scarce items.

The role of women in the workforce during World War II. o Women were encouraged to enter the workforce to replace deployed soldiers. o Rosie the Riveter came to symbolize the efforts of women during the war. o : The number of women in the workforce grew by 6 million. o Women gained a new sense of pride and self-worth.

Japanese Internment During World War II

Define internment. Internment – forced relocation and imprisonment This internment was done to Japanese Americans living in the western United States

In February 1942, FDR signed Executive Order 9066, declaring military zones throughout the west, and calling for the relocation of about 120,000 Japanese Americans to internment camps throughout the west.

Identify why Japanese Americans were forced into internment camps during World War II. Farmers throughout the west competed against Japanese farmers, and sought their removal The general population had grown fearful and skeptical of Japanese Americans living in the United States after Pearl Harbor Politicians expressed the opinions of their constituencies

Where were camps located?

Some facts to note… 2/3 of those sent to camps were American citizens No evidence of espionage was found with any of the 120,000 imprisoned Some German and Italian Americans were also imprisoned, but only a small fraction compared to Japanese Americans

Describe the conditions of Japanese internment camps during World War II. Poor living conditions – barracks built as simple shelters, without plumbing or kitchens Detainees ate in a mess hall, which sat Food, clothing and blankets were rationed out to each detainee Only American born detainees could be promoted to leadership roles in the camp

Describe the conditions of Japanese internment camps during World War II. Armed guards were stationed at the camps, and there were instances where detainees were shot when wandering outside the boundaries of the camp Families were often relocated with little notice, and were not packed and prepared for the weather they faced at the camps Most were treated well unless they violated rules; many, however, would not break the rules, as they were continually trying to prove themselves as loyal citizens

Conditions in the Internment Camps