1. The Home Front

2. How did the U.S. Gov’t mobilize economy for war?
“Once the fire is lighted under it (the U.S.), there is no limit to the power it can generate.” – Winston Churchill
The U.S. produced war materials for the U.S. and its allies
Production of War Supplies
The War Production Board (WPB) established in early 1942 to manage war industries

3. Impact of WWII on consumers
The Office of War Mobilization (OWM) set production priorities and controlled flow of raw materials
By 1942, the U.S. production equaled German, Italian, and Japanese combined
By 1944, U.S. production was twice that of all Axis powers combined
Impact of WWII on consumers
The Office of Price Administration (OPA) regulated almost every aspect of civilian lives  froze prices, wages, and rents in order to prevent inflation
Rationing was put on commodities such as meat, sugar, gas, and car tires

4. Impact of WWII on Labor Unions
Early on, unions and large corporations agreed not to strike during the war
As the war progressed, many workers became angry that wages were frozen while corporations made big profits from war production
Smith-Connally Anti-Strike Act of 1943
Allowed government to take over war-related businesses whose production was threatened by strikes
FDR used the act to operate national railroads for a short time in 1944

5. Facing the War
Huge increase in gov’t spending  $100 billion in 1945 alone
Money was raised through:
Increase and expansion of the income tax (automatic withholding of tax from paycheck)
Selling of war bonds ($135 billion in war bonds)

6. Propaganda
The Office of War Information created to maintain public morale, encourage people to sacrifice and conserve resources, buy bonds, and motivate workers to increase war production
Posters, songs, news bulletins, movies, and radio

7. What impact did WWII have on American Society?
African Americans
1.5 million African Americans left the south for jobs in north and west
1 million African American males joined the armed forces
Civil rights leaders encouraged African Americans to adopt the “Double V” slogan” V for victory over fascism and V for equality at home

8. Native Americans NAACP membership increased
Smith v. Allwright: (1944) made it illegal to deny political party membership as a means of excluding minorities from voting in primaries
Native Americans
Approximately 25,000 served in the U.S. military
The Navajo language was used as the American’s “unbreakable” code, Navajo Indians transmitted secret code for the U.S. military  Windtalkers

9. Japanese Americans
20,000 Japanese Americans served in the U.S. military
Japanese Americans were suspected of being spies after the attack on Pearl Harbor
Many Americans feared invasion of the west coast by Japan
Fear and racism led to the internment of over 100,000 Japanese Americans living on the west coast in detention camps
Korematsu v. U.S.: (1944) upheld the U.S. government’s internment policy during war time

10. Women
200,000 served in non-combat military roles  Woman Army Corps (WAC)
The labor shortage cause by increased military service for males
5 million women enter the workforce
Many worked in industrial shipyards and defense plants
Rosie the Riveter: song and image of the ideal, dedicated female worker producing war supplies to support American troops
Women received lower pay than male factory workers

11. What was the significant about the election of 1944?
Democrats nominated FDR for a 4th term with Harry Truman as his VP
Ran against Republican nominated Thomas Dewey, Gov. of NY
FDR was elected to a 4th term and won 422 electoral votes  Dewey won 99
FDR died after three months into his 4th term