1. The impact of World War on Americans
Chapter 35

2. Essential Question
What kinds of opportunities and hardships did the war create for Americans at home and abroad?

3. Question How do you think Pearl Harbor affected Americans?
Think about what happened after 9/11

4. Pearl Harbor
Initially live in fear of another wave of attacks from Japan
Rumors of an enemy invasion haunted the region
Fears faded, but coastal communities remained weary
FDR reasoned…. Need to be weary

5. However….
If Americans didn’t win the war, we would be fighting a war in our homeland
We have to help the troops

6. War Efforts EVERYONE could help…. Even women and children
Need to sacrifice
Rationing is instilled

7. Rationing A system for distributing food, gasoline, and other goods
Reason – military needed them
Clothes changed – military needed fabrics

8. Organizing the American economy
War Production Board (WPB) responsible for making America the “arsenal of democracy.”

9. Examples of the change over
Car factories airplanes and tanks
Soft drink company artillery shells
All across the country business mobilized their resources to serve the needs of the military

10. Depression ends 
The huge demand for military supplies revived the supplies
Business expanded and hired more workers
Farmers prospered
Gross national product (GDP) rose

11. Gross domestic Product
Is the total value of goods and services produced in a year
Rose by 116%
People’s income rose by 110%
Businesses grow 130%
At home – things are looking better

12. What happens to the GDP

13. Financing the War Effort with Taxes and Bonds
Government spending threw the roof
Taxes paid for 45% needed
Borrowed rest to pay for war
War bonds
Borrowing from banks

14. What happens to the national debt?

15. Americans came together
Government and people did a lot to prevent inflation from becoming a major factor
Worked together to save resources

16. American GIs go to War GIs or solider What was life like
Government provide for everything it was labeled Government Issued… ahhh GI

17. Assembling a fighting force
In 1940, more than 16 million men between the ages of 21 and 35 had registered for the draft
Later expands to 18 to 44
Initially there was 300,000 troops, by the time pearl harbor happened 1.5 million….

18. After Pearl Harbor Military expanded Representing all walks of life
By the end of the war nearly 6 million has enlisted

19. Fighting offered A way to show patriotism
Immigrants and ethnic minorities this offered a chance to show they were true Americans

20. Training Had little time to prepare the troops 8 weeks in some cases
Rough and tough

21. Hardships
Training could only do so much – battle field was tough and rough
Danger everywhere – PTSD (although not classified at this point)
Fear could die any moment
Boredom, fatigue, and homesickness became a way of life

22. GI’s who did survive Lives changed forever
Many returned physically, mentally, or emotionally wounded
Great pride and appreciate for American ideals of liberty

23. How did other groups fare
Japanese Americans
Woman
African Americans
Jewish Americans
Mexican Americans

24. Japanese Americans Opportunities: Very few
J.A. men fought in the 42nd Division which won more medals than any other unit of its size in American History

25. Japan American Hardships
After bombing P.H., J.A. were regarded suspicious and possibly being more loyal to Japan than America
Jap. Nationals declared “enemy aliens” had to register with govt. (did same to J.A. as Hitler did to Jews except for killing)

26. Japan American Hardships
Executive Order 9066
Evacuees had weeks to sell home and possession before being interned
Internment camps were bleak, crowded, and guarded with machine guns and barbed wire

28. Women Opportunities Worked jobs held by men
Tough, physical labor increase the self-confidence, independence , and income of women.
Army, navy, and coast guard established auxiliary branches for women
Moved beyond office work to become truck drivers, mechanics, radio operators, air traffic controllers or pilots

29. Women Hardships Faced hostility on the job
African Americans faced additional racial hostility
Wages not equal to men’s wages
Labor unions didn’t support women
Double duty – full day work and full day completing domestic duties

30. African Americans - Opportunities
As war progressed, AA were able to become military officers and engage in combat
The army air corps established its first black combat unit, the Tuskegee Airmen
A Philip Randolph's Threat to lead a massive march in D.C. ;led to opening of the defense industry to all Americans

31. African Americans - Opportunities
Many AA moved to industrial cities for better-paying jobs and to escape legalized segregation in the South

32. African Americans - hardships
Racisms was still a powerful force in American Society
Early in the war, the marines and army air corps refused to take AA soldiers
At 1st, AA were relegated to menial and non-combate roles

33. African Americans - hardships