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

2. US Needs More Manpower for War
After Pearl Harbor, 5 million men volunteer for the military
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, pilots and nurse corps
1943: WAC & WAVES will get full army/navy benefits

3. New Factory Workers
Factories cease normal production & begin producing war-related products: planes, tanks, ships, jeeps, munitions & uniforms
18 million new workers in war industries, incl. 6 mill women

4. Economic Controls
1) Office of Price Administration: fought inflation by 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/lower incomes 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

5. Taking on Discrimination
2 million Af-Am workers take war jobs but most are “menial” jobs
Since many minority workers face discrimination, A. Phillip Randolph organizes a march on Washington, D.C.
Randolph agrees to cancel the march if FDR issues an executive order outlawing discrimination in gov jobs & contracts

6. African Americans Help in War
US Army Air Corps enlists African American pilots for the 1st time, but units are segregated
Af-Ams pilots were trained at Tuskegee Army Air Field in Alabama and commonly known as the Tuskegee Airmen
Faced discrimination from commanders and members of Congress but had numerous victories & awarded decorations
332nd Squad, 99th Pursuit Group

7. Japanese-Americans Serve Their Nation
Despite discrimination & internment, 14K Japanese-Americans served in Italy and N. Africa but not in the Pacific
442nd Regimental Combat Team (Purple Heart Battalion) earned more than 18K individual decorations (most in WWII)
“Go for broke”

8. Mexican-Americans in WWII
Mexican-Americans not officially segregated but often were
141st Regiment in Europe & 153rd in Pacific were highly decorated
Navajo Code Talkers
Navajo Indians were in every Marine assault unit in the Pacific War ( )
Based on their language, they developed secret code that was transmitted to combat units

9. 1940s “War” Pop Culture Hollywood studios begin to help war effort
Hollywood studios begin to help war effort
Hollywood makes propaganda films & enlists celebrities to promote the war effort or entertain the troops
Discuss: Portrayal of enemies in films
Most films glorified US & its allies war effort