1. Home Front in World War II

2. Terms and People
A. Philip Randolph − African American labor leader who campaigned against discriminatory practices
Executive Order 8802 − World War II measure that assured fair hiring practices in jobs funded with government money
bracero program − program in which laborers were brought from Mexico to work on American farms
internment − temporary imprisonment of members of a specific group

3. Terms and People (continued)
Korematsu v. United States − Supreme Court case that upheld the government’s wartime internment policy
442nd Regimental Combat Team − Japanese American combat team that became the most decorated military unit in American history
rationing − system that limits the amount of certain goods civilians can buy
Office of War Information (OWI) − encouraged support of the war effort

4. How did the World War II change America at home?
World War II stirred patriotism even as it brought out long-simmering fears and tensions.
Americans from different backgrounds living in different places across the country made huge sacrifices to support the war effort.

5. Wartime America saw industries gearing up to produce military goods.
Wartime pressures create a break from the past
With men joining the army in huge numbers, women stepped into jobs in businesses and factories. The biggest increase in women entering the workforce was in the years of 1942 & Over 4500 women went into the workforce over a 2-year period
Women took jobs that fell out of the traditional realm of women’s work
Married and older women worked.

6. Wartime changes to the workforce had long-lasting effects.
Women earned paychecks and gained knowledge and experience.
Even when men came back from war, women continued to work in white-collar jobs, holding jobs as secretaries and clerical workers.
Future generations benefited from new opportunities.
Day-care options for children expanded.

7. Victory against fascism abroad
African Americans hoped for similar job opportunities, but were disappointed.
Victory against fascism abroad
Victory against discrimination at home
Leaders called for a “Double V” campaign.
Yet many jobs, including those in the government and the military, remained segregated. Therefore, many African Americans joined organizations that were dedicated to ending segregation. 7

8. Labor leader A. Phillip Randolph urged Roosevelt to end discrimination in government-funded training, employment, and military service.
Under pressure, FDR issued Executive Order 8802.
Assured fair hiring practices in government jobs
Such victories set the stage for African Americans, after WWII, to work for civil rights and end their struggles.
NAACP – 500,000 members
1942 – Congress of Racial Equality founded – sought to apply nonviolent protest as a way to fight segregation

9. Migration patterns changed as people moved across the country—especially to cities—seeking jobs in wartime industries. The South and Southwest became a growing cultural, social, economic, and political force during the war.
Bracero program
To alleviate the loss of workers in rural areas, Mexican laborers were brought in to work on American farms.
Agricultural industries would continue to hire migratory labor in the West for years to come.

10. Urban riots Zoot suit attacks
Population changes and racial tensions at times triggered violence. The worst violence due to wartime mirgration happened in Detroit where conflict arose over the construction of housing for black workers. 100,000 whites and blacks fought all over the city. By morning, 34 people were dead. Federal troops ended the violence but the city’s problems were never resolved.
Urban riots
Zoot suit attacks
Despite this, African Americans and Mexican Americans continued to contribute to the war effort.

11. In time, suspicion focused on Japanese Americans.
Wartime fears also led to discrimination against Americans from Germany, Italy, and Japan.
In time, suspicion focused on Japanese Americans.
They were targeted for a combination of reasons.
Racism
Lack of political clout
Their fewer numbers and relative isolation from other Americans.

12. By Executive Order 9066 designated “war zones” from which anyone could be removed for any reason.
more than 100,000 Japanese Americans were forced to sell their homes and belongings.
They were then sent to isolated internment camps.

13. They remained in the camps for the rest of the war.
Some Japanese Americans went to court to fight for their civil liberties.
Their efforts failed.
Still, when the military ban on Japanese Americans was lifted in 1943, many eagerly joined the 44nd Regimental Combat Team.

14. Korematsu v. United States (1944)
The Facts
The Issue
The Decision
• In 1942, FDR ordered that select people could be banned from war zones.
• The army relocated Japanese Americans on the West Coast to internment camps.
• Fred Korematsu was arrested for resisting the army’s orders.
Korematsu argued that he was denied equal protection under the law because he was a Japanese American.
The court held that the military order was justified for security reasons.

15. The war effort had a huge effect on the economy.
The national debt skyrocketed to $330 billion
Taxes increased – 5%
Wages and prices were controlled. FDR created the Office of Price Administration (OPA) to do this.

16. As industries cranked out military goods, consumer goods became scarce.

17. Americans made many sacrifices, looking toward victory.
The Office of War Information worked with the media to encourage support of the war effort Americans:
• Shopped with ration books
• Bought war bonds
• Planted victory gardens
• Collected scrap metal and other materials