world war ii – the home front

WORLD WAR II – THE HOME FRONT

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?

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”)

How to pay for the war?• The U.S. paid for the huge increase by

1 – raising taxes2 – selling war bonds (over $135 million)

How would that help the U.S. after the war ended?

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)

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?

What are the themes?

Science• Office of Scientific Research and Development

• Some famous work:• Manhattan Project, Radar, Sonar

• Other important research:• Fertilizers, Pesticides, Medicines, Preservations, Codebreakers

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?

South and West Improvements• South

• Following Great Depression improvements, many military installations added to South

• West• Grew with focus on

Pacific Theater

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)

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

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

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

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

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

Native-Americans

• Over 25,000 served in military• Navajo Code talkers

• Many moved off reservations to work in wartime industries

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

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.