The United States in WWII: The Homefront Arsenal of Democracy

1. The United States during World War II:The War at Home

2. What did FDR mean by the term “arsenal of democracy?” • “We must be the great ARSENAL OF DEMOCRACY. For us this is an emergency as serious as war itself. We must apply ourselves to our task with the same resolution, the same sense of urgency, the same spirit of patriotism and sacrifice as we would show were we at war.” President Franklin D. Roosevelt, September 1940

3. The Arsenal of Democracy • This was the idea that the United States needed to be responsible for the production of all the necessary wartime weaponry and supplies for not only ourselves, but for all of the Allies

4. England: Continuous bombing by Germany which had destroyed many of its cities France: Surrendered to Germany in September of 1940 Why “U.S.?” (literally) The USSR: Invaded by Hitler and the Nazis after he broke their non-aggression pact. Almost all industrial cities were destroyed Even though the United States was attacked at our naval base at Pearl Harbor, we remained UNTOUCHED by the fighting in the War. Our factories could remain open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year, to produce the necessary war resources

5. What about our economy? • During World War II, the United States went from a consumer economy to a COMMAND ECONOMY. • The War Productions Board (WPB) was in charge of telling industries what to make in order to support the war effort. • Example: Ford Company: Cars  Tanks, Jeeps and Airplanes

6. The Work Force • The largest part of the work force during the war was made up of women. • Over 4 million worked in our nation’s factories to produce supplies for the armed forces • Other women served as nurses, pilots, and other facilities for the war department

7. Women’s contributions continued… • Even with their vital contributions to the war effort, women still faced discrimination. • Women were paid 60 percent less than men (The Americans) during WWII, and saw little increase in their rights at home • Despite their efforts during WWII, many women were forced out of their jobs when soldiers returned home from combat.

8. The Work Force: Other minorities • At first, African Americans, Native Americans, and Hispanics were all discriminated against by war-time industries.

9. Minority workers continued • However, as the war progress, FDR issued an executive ordered that made it illegal for industries to discriminate against workers of color. • African Americans: continued to migrate to Northern cities; a large portion of our work force during WWII (men were soldiers as well) • Native Americans: also contributed to the building of munitions for our troops (men were soldiers as well) • Hispanics: Mexican migrant workers were used on Southern and Western farms to harvest enough crops for troops and allies. (Hispanic American men also served as well)

10. “Doing their part.” • Almost all Americans got involved with the war effort • From children to the elderly everyone tried to do their part to help the war effort

11. Rationing • A key policy during WWII • In order to ensure that our troops had enough supplies, Americans had following a “rationing” (limit) system for certain products • Gas, meat, cheese, butter, eggs, chocolate, tea and even cooking oil were all rationed. • Americans were given “ration” cards or stamps that would allow them to get these items during specific days

12. “Victory Gardens” • To combat rationing, and to save more for the troops, people were encouraged to grow their own gardens • Everyone also tried to reuse key supplies, like scrap metal. Children gave up their toys so that they could be made into a bullet to kill the enemy.

13. “War” and “Victory Bonds • Still dealing with the debt from deficit spending from the Depression, the government sold these saving bonds to finance the war • To make it more patriotic, they were called “war” or “victory” bonds

17. Other ways we fought the war at home

18. Dr. Seuss: Warrior for Democracy?

20. The ugly side of patriotism • The same patriotism that helped lift America to victory during WWII, was unfortunately the same that led to the gross civil rights violations against one group of people in the United States. • Which group? Why not allow Dr. Seuss tell us…

22. The mistreatment of Japanese American • Even before the attack at Pearl Harbor, Americans harbored great resentment against not only the Japanese, but all people of Asian descent. • Laws limiting their immigration were passed long before any other quota act during the 1920s

23. Post-Pearl Harbor • The situation only got worse for Japanese Americans after Pearl Harbor • Even families who had been in the United States for two or three generations were accused of being traitors

24. Korematsu v U.S.A. (1944) • Historical Background: - After the attack at Pearl Harbor, there was a great deal of unfounded suspicion that Japanese Americans were not loyal to the United States -FDR issued executive order 9066, which stated that all people of Japanese American descent (it didn’t matter if you were an American citizen) would be relocated to internment camps, in desolated regions of western states -Over 120,000 Japanese Americans were relocated

25. Korematsu v U.S.A. (1944) • Constitutional Issue - Fred Korematsu, an American citizen, was arrested for refusing to be relocated. -He argued that Executive Order 9066 violated his 14th amendment (as well as his 5th)-equal protection under the law -The case was appealed and went to the Supreme Court in 1944

26. Korematsu v U.S.A. (1944) • The Decision of the Supreme Court - In a 6-3 ruling, the Supreme Court ruled against Korematsu and in favor of the government of the U.S.A. -The court stated that his 14th amendment had not been violated. -More importantly, they stated, that Executive Order 9066 was a war time necessity to help ensure the security of the nation.

27. Korematsu v U.S.A. (1944) • The Impact of the Decision - Like in the Schenck v U.S. case during WWI, civil liberties were limited during times of war -Japanese Americans lost their homes and businesses during their internment, faced strong prejudice after they were released -Eventually during the 1980s, President Ronald Reagan formally apologized to the Japanese American community, and Congress passed an act giving 20,000 dollars to individual still alive that was interned during WWII.