1. World War II on the Home Front

2. During WWII, a positive morale on the home front was essential to winning the war. American contribution was needed and the government began a campaign to “recruit” citizen soldiers.

3. Voluntary Spirit of Americans
Nothing in America went unchanged by World War II
Americans became citizen soldiers
Personal decisions were now war decisions
What to eat, buy, and time management
All these decisions now had global consequences

5. Propaganda
The US government wanted to explain these civic responsibility to the citizens and did so by way of PROPAGANDA.
Launched the biggest public relations campaign in history by using media outlets.
However, the most effective and important outlet for messages were posters.

6. WHY POSTERS?? Posters exemplified messages
Posters could “work a 24-hour shift
Posters exemplified messages
Gave a lasting impression
Americans could “put a face with the message

7. To win the war, America needs total commitment…..
The government urged citizens to commit themselves and their family to winning the war.
Most propaganda posters urged three actions
Conservation
Investment
Production

8. Investment War Bonds
Bonds were a type of “loan” from the American people to the government.
Bonds were advertised as “what the individual could do for the cause, not what the bond could do for the individual’s finances.”
Served two purposes:
Financing the war
Removing money from circulation to hold down inflation

9. PRODUCTION
The United States produced war materials and food for Britain and its allies
After Pearl Harbor production took off and the factory, home, and store became a battlefield.
Companies such as Ford Motor Company and Disney Productions became war factories.
Women began to do “a man’s job.”
By the end of the war, Americans had built 88,000 tanks, 14,000 ships, 300,000 airplanes, and millions of guns and ammunition.

10. CONSERVATION
War production drove the USA out of a depression and into a boom economy.
Citizens were issued ration cards to limit their purchases of gas and groceries.
People were asked to conserve everything from clothing to ice cream.
Posters promoted self-reliance not dependency on the government
People saved bacon grease which was used for ammunition and medicine (glycerin)

13. VICTORY GARDENS
Victory Gardens were the most popular and well-known acts by American citizens.
Labor and transportation shortages made it harder to harvest and move crops.
Thus, citizens were encouraged to grow their own fruits and vegetables, leaving canned goods for soldiers.

14. City kids doing their part

15. Communities worked together for the greater good of the country

16. Even the smallest garden made a difference.

17. The Results………………….
A little over 20 million victory gardens were planted.
Between 9-11 million tons of vegetables and fruit harvested from the gardens
Patriotism flourished
Community pride and effort reached an all time high