World War II: Americans at War I. Mobilization

Bell Ringer Pretend you are President Roosevelt. What are the 3 most important things that must be done to prepare the country for war? Setting the Scene page 94

Objectives Find out how Roosevelt mobilized the armed forces Learn about ways in which the government prepared the economy for war. See how the war affected daily life on the home front.

A) Mobilizing the Armed Forces 1)Selective Training and Service Act: all males age 21 to 36 must register for military service. Sept 1940 – boosted budget from 2 billion to 10 billion FDR’s four freedom speech – 595 2) GI: “Government Issue” – what US men called themselves

B) Diversity in the Armed Forces 16 million total 300,000 Mexican Americans 25,000 Native Americans Code Talkers – secret code based on Navajos 1 million AA Tuskegee Airmen – all Black bomber escort unit 350,000 women – used in all areas but combat

C) Preparing the Economy for War War Production Board – helped convert peacetime industries to war industries – allocate raw materials 3)Office of War Mobilization: super agency in the centralization of resources 4)Liberty Ships: large sturdy merchant ships that carried supplies or troops 1944 US produced double of what the Axis did 1945 – had 300,000 airplanes – 80,000 landing craft – 100,000 tanks – 5,600 merchant ships – 6 mil rifles, and 41 billion rounds of ammo

D) The Wartime Work Force Unemployment from Great Depression vanished Union membership rose Spending increased – 9 billion in 1939 to 95 billion in 1945 Increased taxes paid for 41% Borrowed and war bonds paid for rest Debt went from 43 billion 1940 to 259 billion in 1945

E) Daily Life on the Home Front 30 million people moved to find jobs Birth rate doubled Metal, nylon, and food shortages Office of Price Administration controlled prices to keep inflation in check Also in control of rationing Movies and baseball became popular 5)Victory garden: a home vegetable garden planted to add to the home food supply and replace food sent to soldiers Produced 1/3 of countries vegetables

Review How did Roosevelt mobilize the armed forces? In what ways did the government prepare the economy for war? How did the war affect daily life on the home front?