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The American Home Front. The Home Front. Government 10 times the cost of WWI $250 Million per day Money had to be borrowed 1941 debt: $48 billion 1945 debt: $247 billion Revenue Act 1942 Withholding taxes Tax rates went up for everyone. Government Growth of government
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The Home Front • Government • 10 times the cost of WWI • $250 Million per day • Money had to be borrowed • 1941 debt: $48 billion • 1945 debt: $247 billion • Revenue Act 1942 • Withholding taxes • Tax rates went up for everyone
Government • Growth of government • Large amount of individuals working in the federal government • WPB • OPA • Office of Censorship • Government paid, people worked • Average wages doubled during the war • Unemployment hardly existed
War Productions Board • conversion of econ. From civilian to military • Auto industry • Chrysler = tanks, Ford = Jeeps and planes • Boeing • US = more military goods than Germany, Italy and Japan combined
Office of Price Administration • Rationing • Rationing Books • price controls • Slogan: “Use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without.” • Speed Limit – 35 mph
Office of Censorship • Promote patriotism and influence public opinion • Examined letters • Casualty figures • Photo’s of American dead prohibited • Encourage publication of Japanese atrocities vs. U.S. soldiers
Patriotism • 1941 - 1.6 million armed forces • 1945 – 15 million men, 350,000 women • Buying war bonds • Volunteering • Air-raid wardens • Collection drives
Women • 6 million women entered the work force for the first time • 33% of workforce by 1945 • Women were still married and responsible for traditional roles • Women tended to make less than men
Families • Marriages and birthrates increased • Divorces Increased • 1940: 16 divorces per 100 marriages • 1944: 27 divorces per 100 marriages • High School enrollment dropped • Juvenile delinquency increased
Race • Indians • Navajo Code Talkers • 25,000 served in the military • Others left to work in industries
Race • African-Americans • One million - segregated units • Tuskegee Airmen • 700,000 African-Americans left the South • Average wages increased - $457 - $1976 Racial Tension/Riots • Detroit – numerous blacks and whites were killed
Race • Hispanics • Bracero program • Farm laborers • Not enough workers in America willing to work in farming • Illegal immigration encouraged • Zoot Suit Riots of LA