1. The Chicago Homefront History of Chicago

2. Bell Ringer  What is this WWII poster trying to say to people?  How do you think rationing gives you your fair share?  Do you think this type of sacrifice is needed in a war? Why or why not?

3. The Homefront  What is the homefront?  The civilian population and their activities during a war.  Civilian population  People at home (women, children, elderly, and some men).  Activities  Rationing  Changing roles of women  Volunteering  Civilian Support  The homefront can be considered part of a “total war”.

4. A Total War  What is a total war?  The mobilization of all available resources for a war effort in order to win a war.  Resources?  Human  Industrial  Agricultural  Why did people at home want to join the war effort?  Pearl Harbor  Their duty to their country

5. The Switch to a War Economy  Examine this WWII poster  What does attack on all fronts mean?  The three people represent who in the war effort?  The whole economy shifted towards the war effort.  Tanks instead of cars  Bombs and weapons instead of appliances  So who “powered” this war economy?  Women, the elderly, and men that were not drafted.

6. The Conservation Effort: A Sacrifice  An effort of the homefront to save materials for the soldiers at war.  Scrap  Food  Gas/Oil  How did the homefront achieve this?  “Victory Gardens”  Scrap Metal Drives  Carpool Clubs  Rationing  Children participated in the conservation effort to help the homefront.

7. Rationing  Controlled distribution of scarce resources  Food  Oil/Gasoline  Clothes  Rubber  Ration Books  Each family was allowed only a specific amount of food per week.  The stamps in these ration books ensured that each American was getting a fair share.  In June 1941, each adult was rationed 66 points/year. By Spring of 1942, each adult was rationed only 48.

8. Rationing Simulation  You are now living an adult living during WW2.  Your Task  What clothes would you buy with 66 points?  What clothes would you buy with 48 points?  Which items are the most important?  Which items are the least important?  What are the factors that determine your choices in clothes?  Remember these clothes have to last you the whole year