The Impact of WWII on Americans

The Impact of WWII on Americans Chapter 35 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C0NTXN3Wkro

Organizing the American Economy • WPB: War Productions Board • Manage the conversion of industry to wartime production • Business mobilized their resources for war • The Depression ended as a result of mobilization for war • GDP rose rapidly – see charts on page 450 • Government and industry became closely tied • NWLB helped to mobilize workers; helped to settle labor disputes before they disrupted industry • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lNEFD-vs0G4&feature=related

Financing the War Effort • Defense contracts increased just as they had in WWI • Government needed to pay through taxes and borrowing • Invention of payroll taxes • War bond campaigns overtook American society much like during WWI • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vrqAeLJHr-8

Government Attempts to Curb Inflation and Consumption • Inflation became a serious problem in the US during the war • OPA: Office of Price Administration instituted price controls • OPA also set up a rationing system to guard against overconsumption • Civilians found a variety of ways to help the war effort (p. 451 last paragraph)

American GI’s Go To War • Why were American soldiers referred to as GI’s? • Draft registration age limits were changed to expand the fighting force • After Pearl Harbor numbers increased dramatically • Many Americans saw this as an opportunity, especially minorities and immigrants • GI’s faced eight weeks of intense training to move from civilian to rugged military personnel

The GI’s War • In reality, few GI’s were really ready for combat • Psychological impacts of war were the GI’s worst enemies • Fighting and boredom were close to equally bad • “It’s that sense of not wanting to fail your buddies…” • Many veterans experience a great appreciation for American ideals

Internment of Japanese Americans • The attack on Pearl Harbor made many people view those of Japanese heritage in a negative light • FDR declared those of German, Italian, and Japanese ancestry “enemy aliens” • Had to register with the government, carry special ID cards, turn in all firearms, cameras, and radio equipment, also needed travel permits to travel over 5 miles • Several thousand German and Italian immigrants were shipped to internment camps • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G4YsyT6xSkE&feature=related

Removal of Japanese Americans • Three reasons J-A were forced to internment camps: • 1. • 2. • 3. • Executive Order _______ • Korematsu v. US

Life in Internment Camps • 100,000 Japanese were evacuated • Usually, camps were in the desert, far from civilization • Camps were ________ constructed and surrounded by 1. 2. • The fear of invasion passed and many of the interned were allowed to leave • 442nd Regimental Combat Team

Women at War • “Rosie the Riveter” • Demand for workers skyrockets – jobs filled by women • Filled traditional men’s jobs / physical labor • Faced on the job hostility • NWLB ruled women should get equal pay • This was widely ignored by businesses • “If the guys can take it, so can we.” • WAVES, SPARS, WASPS • WAC – only on battlefield units; behind the scenes and nursing units

African Americans Fight for Two Victories • Double V Campaign • A fight for democracy at home and abroad • More than a million served; faced segregation every day • Limited jobs even in the military; African American GI’s were excluded from combat • Tuskegee Airmen • Gained a reputation for skill and service • One of the “examples” proving African Americans could do the job • At home African Americans faced rising discrimination tactics • White backlash to black migration and job filling • Nonviolent protests begin through CORE • NAACP becomes very active, as well as the National Urban League

Jewish Americans and the War • Hitler began steps towards the “Final Solution” in 1938 • Kristallnacht – Jews try to flee to US • Refused at ports up and down East Coast • Extermination was deemed rumor, or ignored by media • Anti-Semitic feelings led to refusal of Jewish refuge even through public demonstration and pleas • War Refugee Board established in 1944 • Tried to right a wrong – Jews given refuge in Italy and North Africa • Half a million Jewish Americans went to war as GI’s • Anti-Semitic discrimination in military was atrocious

Mexican Americans at War • Many Mexican Americans volunteered for war even in the face of discrimination • Before the war Mexican Americans faced harsh discrimination in America • Due to Great Depression and limited jobs • Bracero Program in 1942 • Prejudice erupts in Zoot Suit Riots • What is a Zoot Suit? • Police did little stop violence between American servicemen and Mexican Americans

The Impact of WWII on Americans