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The United States in WW2: Mobilizing for Defense

The United States in WW2: Mobilizing for Defense. Chapter 17, Section 1 Notes. Objectives:. Explain how the US expanded its armed forces in WW2 Describe the wartime mobilization of industry, labor, scientists, and the media

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The United States in WW2: Mobilizing for Defense

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  1. The United States in WW2:Mobilizing for Defense Chapter 17, Section 1 Notes

  2. Objectives: • Explain how the US expanded its armed forces in WW2 • Describe the wartime mobilization of industry, labor, scientists, and the media • Trace the efforts of the US govt. to control the economy and deal with subversion

  3. Americans Join the War Effort • After Pearl Harbor, Americans jammed recruiting offices • Remember Pearl Harbor! • 5 million volunteers • Selective Service System • Expanded the draft • 10 million more soldiers to meet demand • Eight weeks of training

  4. Expanding the Military • Women’s Auxiliary Army Corps (WAAC) • Created by Army Chief of Staff General George Marshall • Women volunteers serve in non-combat positions • Nurses, ambulance drivers, radio operators, electricians, and pilots • 350,000 women served

  5. Diversity in the Armed Forces • Despite racial tension, minorities made dramatic contributions to the armed forces • Mexican-Americans, African-Americans, Asian-Americans, and Native Americans • 1 million African Americans served • Served in segregated units and limited to noncombat roles until 1943

  6. A Production Miracle • Automobile plants were retooled to produce tanks, planes, boats, and command cars. • End of private automobile production • Factories were quickly converted to war production • Production occurred at record breaking speeds • Henry Kaiser produced Liberty ships in 40 days • Using “prefab” parts

  7. The Building of Liberty Ships

  8. Labor’s Contribution • Despite the draft, nearly 18 million workers were laboring in war industries • 6 million of these workers were women • Earned less and could operate machines • “Rosie the Riveter” campaign • Encourage women to join workforce

  9. Labor’s Contribution • Defense plants also hired minorities • Faced strong prejudice at first • African-American Labor Leader A. Philip Randolph proposed a march on Washington to fight discrimination • FDR issued an executive order calling on employers to hire without discrimination

  10. Mobilization of Scientists • FDR created the Office of Scientific Research and Development (OSRD) • To bring scientists into the war effort • Improvements in radar and sonar • Miracle Drugs like penicillin • Secret development of the atomic bomb • The Manhattan Project – code name

  11. Economic Controls • FDR created the Office of Price Admin. • Fought inflation by freezing prices • Raised the income tax • Up to 88% in the highest bracket! • War Production Board • Convert industries • Allocated raw materials • Organized drives to collect scrap iron, tin cans, and paper to recycle into war goods

  12. Rationing • Rationing – establishing fixed allotments of goods deemed essential for the military • Homes received ration books with coupons to buy goods • Meat, shoes, sugar, coffee, and gas • Americans accepted rationing as their personal contribution to the war effort • Workers carpooled or rode bicycles

  13. Check For Understanding Preparation for War, 1941-1942

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