the homefront. fdr utilizes propaganda fighting for the four freedoms freedom of speech freedom of...

The Homefront

FDR Utilizes Propaganda

Fighting for the Four FreedomsFreedom of SpeechFreedom of WorshipFreedom from WantFreedom from Fear

OCD: Office of Civilian Defense

FDR: “Contribute an hour a day for the USA.” Volunteer air raid wardens

Blackouts enforced to conserve energy

“Spy the Sky” You never know when the enemy might attack

Grow a “Victory Garden” 40% of vegetables produced during the war were grown by

citizens, in their personal gardens

Recycle, reuse Patriotic to contribute newspaper, rubber, aluminum, tin, etc.

OWI: Office of War Information

Coordinated war news from federal bureaucracy Newspapers, radio & movies used to inform all Americans of

progress & policies Government enlists the help of Hollywood & Celebes

Warner Brothers: Army Air Force First Motion Picture Unit Training videos Recruiting propaganda (Jimmy Stewart) Roles of Civilians

“Pinups” Betty Grable & Rita Hayworth

Bob Hope organizes the USO (United Service Org.)

to entertain the troops!

An Economic Shift

Relief and Recovery achievedGNP: $90.5 Billion (‘39) to $212 Billion (’45)17 million jobs created

Overtime available to whomever wanted it New workers needed

Female employment raises from 25% to 34% Total of 6 million

Rosie the Riveter Many wanted to continue to work, forced to leave!

WPB: War Productions Board

December 7, 1941 15% of Industry devoted to war production

WPB Goal Convince industry to switch from civilian to military production Out with consumer goods, in with products of war Need: 300,000 planes, 86,000 tanks, 76,000 ships, 2.6 million

machine guns, 40 billion bullets

Success New plant constructed with government help Merchant ships: 105 days to construct (’41) to 14 days (’45) Some plants ordered to slow down!

Economic Problems Persist

Full employment spurs consumerism Better wages creates increase demand

25% hourly wage increase 70% weekly salary increase

Short supply of consumer goods leads to price increase for “luxury” items

Inflation not far behind NWLB: National War Labor Board

Purpose: control rapid inflation (15% in 3 yrs) CPI (consumer price index) indicates wages and price

rose in conjunction with one another.

OPA: Office of Price Administration

Goal: reduce demand Procedure

Set price ceilings (maximums) Institute rationing system

Coupons needed to purchase food, gas, shoes, etc First national speed limit created (gas & rubber)

Determined by size of the family, occupation, etc Most families, 4 gallons of gas a week

Violations: 10 years in prison, $10,000 fine Black market created

Paying for the War

Estimated $321 Billion to fight the war Only 40% generate from taxes

1942 – Revenue Act establishes federal income tax 1913 – first federal income tax law written For the first time, individuals and corporations mandated to pay tax

on the money they made the previous year. 1943 – Employers offer payroll deduction as option

Liberty Bonds sold again Generate 60% of war budget Hollywood recruited once again Stamp collections

Kids encouraged to help ($18.75 investment, 10 years later $25)