1. US Mobilizes for Defense How do all Americans help with the war effort?

2. War Powers Act • authority to President to conduct the war effort
more alphabet agencies to manage homefront
Selective Service System drafts 10 mill. (need to fight two wars)
Women in the War Effort
1942: Gen. George Marshall forms the Women’s Auxiliary Army Corps (WAAC), women can volunteer for non-combat positions
Jobs include clerical, drivers and pilots
1943: WAC will get full army benefits (“A”uxillary part dropped)

3. New Factory Workers
Factories cease normal production  begin producing war-related products: planes, tanks, ships, jeeps, shells & uniforms
18 million new workers in war industries, incl. 6 mill women
2 million Af-Am workers enlisted but many in “menial” jobs

4. African Americans Help the War
US Army Air Corps enlists Afr Am for the 1st time, but units are segregated
Tuskegee Airmen (332nd Air Squad) trained at Tuskegee Army Air Field in Alabama
Faced discrimination but many victories against the Germans

6. Economic Controls
1) Office of Price Administration: fought inflation  freezing wages, prices and rents, rationed food
2) War Production Board: rationed fuel, rubber, metal and plastic
3) Revenue Act: raised taxes on wealthy to 88%, middle/low income now pay income tax, Treasury Dept issued war bonds
4) Smith-Connally Anti-Strike Act: Limited rights of unions to strike, allowed President to takeover striking plants

8. Pop Culture Helps the Effort
1940s Pop Culture centers around the war effort
Hollywood begins making propaganda film to support
Many films glorified the US allies, made enemies seem evil

13. Japanese Americans Serve Their Nation
Despite discrimination, 1,300 Japanese Americans served in Italy and N. Africa
442nd Regimental Combat Team  (Purple Heart Battalion) earned more than 18K individual decorations (most in WWII)

14. Mexican-Americans in WW II
Navajo Code Talkers
Navajo Indians were in every US Marines Pacific War assault mission from 1942 to 1945
Based on their language, developed secret code that was transmitted to combat units
Mexican-Americans in WW II
Mexican-Americans not officially segregated but often were
141st Regiment in Europe & 153rd in Pacific were highly regarded