1. WWII Americans at War

2. Enlisting Public Support
“Office of War Information”
- like Comm. Public Information in WWI
Writers and artists created posters and ads that stirred Americans’ patriotic feelings.

3. How do you gear up for a war?
Boost defense spending from 2 to 10 billion
Encouraged enlistment
Selective Service and Training Act
First Peacetime Draft

4. Preparing an Economy for War
Because of the New Deal – the government had huge power over the economy.
War Production Board –
Convert peacetime industries to produce war materials.
Like W.I.B. in WWI.

5. “Arsenal of Democracy”
American economic power was AWESOME!
By 1944 American production levels doubled those of all the Axis powers combined.
1945
300,000 planes
80,000 landing craft
100,000 armored cars and tanks
6 million rifles
41 BILLION rounds of ammunition!

6. Wartime Work Force War production ended all “Depression” unemployment.
Wages rose by 50% between 1940 – 1945.
Many women workers
Rosie the Riveter
“There’s a war on, you know!”

7. How did we pay for the war?
41% paid for by higher taxes
War bonds.
Loan your money to government.
Pay back date with interest for the loan.
Like WWI

8. How did we pay for the war?
Went further into debt!
1940 – deficit spending made the US debt $43 billion.
$259 billion in debt!

9. Food Shortages Between troop needs and enemy stopping supply lines.
Sugar
Tropical fruits
Coffee
Chocolate

10. OPA! : Office of Price Administration
When demand is greater than supply prices go UP!
INFLATION!
OPA set price limits.
Sugar
Coffee
Meat
Canned food
Shoes
Gas

11. Ration Books
Coupons with certain values allowed consumers to buy a limited amount of goods for the month.
Based on family size

12. What civilians were encouraged to do:
Older men: join the Civilian Defense effort
Kids: Scrap metal drives
Women:
Grow Victory Gardens
Knit scarves and socks for the war
Roll bandages for the Red Cross

13. Motto “Play YOUR Part” “Conserve and Collect”
“Use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without”