1. Chapter 25.1 and 25.4

2. Americans Join the War
5 million volunteer for the war, but not enough, another 10 million come from the Selective Service Act
Need was so great, Women’s Auxiliary Army Corps (WAAC), women would serve as volunteers in noncombat positions
Many disagreed with this but becomes law in May 1942
By July 1943 so many women were serving as nurses, ambulance drivers, radio operators, electricians, and pilots that Army gave women full benefits

3. Recruiting and Discrimination
Minority groups wondered, why fight for equality overseas or for the US when discriminated against
300,000 Mexican Americans volunteered
1 million African Americans, served in segregated units, limited to mostly noncombat roles (except for last year of war)
Asian Americans joined but heavily discriminated against (accused of being spies)
Native Americans also served in war effort

4. Getting the Economy ready….
Again, nation reorganized industry to produce for war. Factories shift from production of goods to making war supplies
Need to have more workers because men left for war, women join the labor force in large numbers
Rosie the Riveter
Women still earned only 60% of what companies paid men, so companies happy to have women workers

6. Federal Government Takes Control
As war production increases, fewer consumer products available, which should cause increase in prices (not good)
FDR responds by creating, Office of Price Administration (OPA), goal was to fight inflation by freezing prices on most goods
Congress raises income taxes (need $$ for war)
Government sells war bonds
War Production Board (WPB): job was to make sure industries produce what military needs for war, allocate necessary materials.
Leads to Rubber drivers, scrap iron drives etc.
Victory Gardens
Rationing (fixed allotments of goods) need items for soldiers and war effort

7. Changes on Home front
WWII ends the Great Depression puts people back to work both men and women
2nd Great Migration for African Americans
Increased movement west
Servicemen’s Readjustment Act (GI Bill): provides for education training for veterans

8. Changes on Home Front
Beginnings of Civil Rights protests (fought for country should have = rights)
The Double V
Founding of CORE (Congress of Racial Equality), main goal was to fight racial segregation in the North

9. Japanese-Americans
Faced harsh discrimination, especially on the west coast
Internment Camps (start 1942), 110,000
Korematsu vs the US: court says internment camps are okay
Later government apologizes and pay reparations