1. The Home Front

2. Why it Matters
The war effort stirred patriotism and promoted economic recovery
New opportunities for women and minorities would spur stronger efforts to ensure equal rights after the war

3. New Economic Opportunities
Once industry exhausted the available men, women found jobs for the taking
Government and industry launched a campaign urging women to do their part
In time, women made up 1/3 of the workforce

5. Women Work for Victory
Many women found jobs that fell out of the traditional realm of women’s work
¾ of women working in industry were married
Rosie the Riveter-symbol of working women
The experienced gained helped create opportunities for their daughters
Increased the building of day cares

7. African Americans Demand Fair Employment
Many jobs remained segregated
Double V Campaign- victory against Fascism abroad and victory against discrimination
FDR hoped to put civil rights on the back burner
Executive order assured fair hiring practices in any job funded with government money (Fair Employment Practices Committee)
WWII helped set the Civil Rights agenda

8. Workers on the Move Population shifts occurred during war years
Bracero Program- bringing laborers from Mexico to work on American farms
Wartime migration led to racial violence in many cities
Zoot Suit Riots- Mexicans and Mexican Americans dressed in stylish “zoot suits”
Baggy pants and long jackets
Off duty sailor attacked “zooters”
Mexicans were arrested, not the sailors

10. Challenges to Civil Liberties
Fear spread after Pearl Harbor
New policies towards immigrants and aliens from the Axis nations
Required to register with the government, submit to finger printing, and list organizational affiliations

11. Aliens Face Restrictions
Germans, Italians, Japanese forced to evacuate the West Coast temporarily in the Winter of 1942
Once public fears subsided, Germans and Italians were removed from the list

12. Aliens Face Restrictions
Executive Order designated certain areas as war zones for which anyone might be removed for any reason
Issei- Japanese Immigrants
Nisei- native born American citizens of Japanese descent
Forced to sell property and allowed only necessary items

14. Japanese Internment
Interment- temporary imprisonment of members of a specific group
Japanese men, women, and children were transported to camps in isolated locations
Schools were underfunded
Living conditions were minimal
Not until 1988 did the government off an apology and $20,000 to surviving internees
442nd Regimental Combat Team- all Nisei team became the most decorated military unit in American History

16. Government Manages the Economy
Increased production of war goods created a scarcity of consumer products
Shortages led to price increases, many fear inflation
Office of Price Administration
Controlled wages, set prices
Rationing- coupon books that limited the amount of certain goods one could buy
Black market- illegal sale of restricted goods

17. Media Boosts Morale
Office of War Information- worked closely with the media to encourage support for the war
Spotlight common needs, minimize racial and economic divisions, downplay poverty and crime
Films and media highlighted the need to defeat fascism
Encouraged by the government and media, Americans voluntarily contributed to the war effort
“Use it up, wear it out, make it do, and do without”