World War II – The Home Front

1. World War II – The Home Front

2. Government Growth • During World War II, like other wars, the power of the government would grow greatly. • This was after the government grew during the Great Depression • Why did this happen? • What about liberties?

3. Rationing • Office of Price Administration – regulated almost every aspect of civilian lives with freezing of prices, wages, and rationing of commodities. • Ration Stamps (“food stamps”)

4. How to pay for the war? • The U.S. paid for the huge increase by 1 – raising taxes 2 – selling war bonds (over $135 million) How would that help the U.S. after the war ended?

5. Industrial Production • War Production Board established to manage war industries • Office of War Mobilization – in charge of production and controlling raw materials • Many credit the incredible production of the U.S. as the key to winning the war (produced twice as much as axis powers combined)

7. Propaganda • Office of War Information – propaganda used to: • Maintain public morale • Encourage sacrifice and conserve resources • Increase War production • (famous for war posters) • Used movies, music, and popular culture to project patriotic view of war • Who was used for comedy?

8. What are the themes?

9. Science • Office of Scientific Research and Development • Some famous work: • Manhattan Project, Radar, Sonar • Other important research: • Fertilizers, Pesticides, Medicines, Preservations, Codebreakers

10. Serving • Before the U.S. ever entered the war, they passed the Selective Service Act in 1940. • Over 10 million drafted in addition to the volunteers • Civilian Air Patrol and other organizations helped home defense • What happened in Inverness?

11. South and West Improvements • South • Following Great Depression improvements, many military installations added to South • West • Grew with focus on Pacific Theater

12. Florida in World War II • WWII was beneficial to the State. • Agriculture and Industry increased • Many bases were built (converted) for year-round training • Ft. Blanding • Beach Hotels • Training for D-Day in various locations • Treat of German invasion and coastal cities (back-lighting)

13. Growth in Cities and Farming • More people moved to cities to work in factories. • Victory Gardens • Farmers had to produce more, with less. • Technological improvements • Sale of food to other areas of world

14. Servicemen’s Readjustment Act • Better known as the GI Bill. • Helped over 15 million former soldiers after they returned. • Some of the best-know parts • Higher education provided • Gov’t backed housing loans • Helped in the post-war expansion of economy

15. 1944 Election • FDR would win his 4th Presidential election (only one) • Would choose Truman as new VP (little known) • Would die early in the 4th term not long before VE Day

16. Women during the War • Over 200,000 served in the military – WAAC (army), WAVEs (navy), WASPs (army air corp) • Into the labor workforce (over 5 million) – “Rosie the Riveter” • What would happen after the war? • Family difficulties – “Dear John” letters, child-care

17. Japanese-Americans • Nisei – 2nd generation, born in U.S. • Executive Order 9066 – over 100,000 Japanese-Americans forced to go to Internment Camps. • Korematsu v. U.S. – upheld internment policy • 20,000 served in military

18. Native-Americans Mexican-Americans U.S. encouraged immigrants to come and work in factories and farms braceros - temporary farmworkers during harvest Zoot Suit Riots – summer of 1943, resentment in LA of Mexican immigrants • Over 25,000 served in military • Navajo Code talkers • Many moved off reservations to work in wartime industries

19. African-Americans during war • Segregated military • Tuskegee Airmen • A. Philip Randolph – leader who threatened “march on Washington” by workers. • Executive Order 8802 (Fair Employment Act) • Equal pay for jobs in military industries • C.O.R.E. (Congress of Racial Equality) – fought for rights • “Double V” slogan – V for victory over fascism abroad and equality at home.