20 th Century Texas Unit Survey Modern Era (1900s) – World War II (1940s)

World War II Military leaders in Germany, Italy, and Japan took control and began wars of expansion. They signed a treaty promising not to attack each other and became known as the Axis Powers because they thought the earth “revolved around them.” When Germany invaded Poland in 1939, and continued invasions of several smaller countries, European democracies like France and England were forced into action, and World War II began.

Axis Powers Hitler (Germany) Hirohito (Japan) Mussolini (Italy)

U.S. Supports the Allies Roosevelt favored the Allies–nations at war with the Axis powers–although the United States was officially neutral. To assist the Allies, Roosevelt made military equipment available through the Lend-Lease Act.

U.S. Goes to War December 7, Japan attacked the U.S. troops based at Pearl Harbor in Hawaii, and the United States officially entered the war. World War II would not end until 1945 with a victory for the Allied forces.

“A day that will live in infamy” On December, 8, 1941, President Roosevelt asks the United States Congress for a Declaration of War against Japan.

Roosevelt Signs the Declaration All but one congressman approved the Declaration of War That same day, President Roosevelt signed the declaration officially entering the United States into World War II.

Texas Leaders in World War II General Dwight Eisenhower, who was born in Denison, Texas, commanded Allied forces in Europe, while Admiral Chester Nimitz of Fredericksburg was one of 12 navy admirals from Texas. Colonel Oveta Culp Hobby of Houston, organized and served as commander of the Women’s Army Auxiliary Corps (WAAC).

U.S. Forces Train in Texas Texas’s favorable climate, location between the two coasts, and wide open spaces made it ideal for military bases. More than 100 military bases were built or enlarged.

Industrial Production in Texas World War II depended heavily on tanks, ships, airplanes, gasoline, explosives, and other supplies. Texas had large supplies of natural gas, water, timber, and sulfur and supplied 80% of the oil needed. From 1942 to 1944, Texas industries boomed, resulting in a large population growth.

New Methods of Production Wartime needs encouraged development of improved products and methods of production. Scientists invented synthetic rubber from petroleum, and plants were built in Texas.

Home Front Workers Between 1940 and 1943, about 450,000 rural Texans moved to cities to work in wartime factories. There were new job opportunities for women, African Americans, and Mexican Americans, but discrimination was still a problem.

Texans Support the War at Home Food items, gasoline, tires, and other scarce supplies were rationed. Texans supplemented their food by planting “victory gardens.” They collected scrap iron for use in manufacturing war supplies. Texans contributed to the Red Cross and other agencies serving the military.

Texas After the War Airplane and ship plants either closed or began producing consumer goods. Women who worked in factories generally were fired so that returning servicemen could have their jobs. Since farming had become mechanized and required fewer workers, most tenant farmers never returned to work on farms.

New Attitudes of Minorities Many African Americans and Mexican Americans realized the unfairness of fighting and dying for democracy and freedom when many of their civil rights were denied at home. Many Mexican American veterans joined LULAC, while others formed the American GI Forum of Texas. The NAACP also became more active during and after the war.

Texans Return to Civilian Life After the war, many factories closed down and there were not enough consumer goods for everyone Congress passed the GI Bill of Rights which helped veterans in various ways, including paying college tuition. As a result, the United States economy grew and prospered.

Foreign Affairs U.S. troops served in Germany and Japan as armies of occupation. New threats emerged when the Soviet Union set up Communist dictatorships in several Eastern European nations. The United States was committed to stopping the spread of Communism and became involved in the Cold War. VS.

New Threats Communist North Korea invaded South Korea and the United States was again at war – the Korean War. This was would not end until 1953.