the wartime homefront
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The Wartime Homefront. Mobilization. America was mobilized as never before. Factories turning out munitions and materials at a rate to boggle the mind. Rationing and shortages were common. Benefits of being American. Americans enjoyed immunity from foreign attack (minus Pearl Harbor). - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
The Wartime Homefront
Mobilization America was mobilized as never before. Factories turning out munitions and materials at a
rate to boggle the mind. Rationing and shortages were common
Benefits of being American
Americans enjoyed immunity from foreign attack (minus Pearl Harbor).
Americans did have to make a great sacrifice America experienced various sacrifice based on their
gender and race.
Women in the workplace They were filling male roles not sewing buttons or
baking, but they were riveting, operating a drill press and welding air planes!
Pay wages: Males 54$ per week, women 32$ per week
Married women more likely to remain at home. Planted victory gardens, led recycling efforts
Behind the numbers
The household economy during WWII
Inflation was up 30% Wages grew 2x as much as inflation for males What could you buy? Amenities were out of the
question? Consumer goods? Consumption up 12%, more people buying those
items that were not rationed, such as entertainment.
Conditions for African Americans
Double V Campaign—America forced with Holocaust to confront its own racial identity
Roosevelt declared that African Americans were In the war “not only to defend America but…to establish a universal freedom under which a new basis of security and prosperity can be established for all regardless of race, or creed”.
Victory over: enemies at home and abroad.
Discrimination in Defense Production
A. Phillip Randoph, promised a march of 100,000 on Washington if FDR didn’t end discrimination in defense industries.
Roosevelt responded with Executive Order 8802-authorized a committee on Fair Employment. Discrimination in “skilled” trades continued.
Progress was slow as 9/10 of African Americans were below the poverty line. They paid 39% of what white workers were paid.
Feelings boil over Race riots in 1943 strike 47 cities with 242 separate
incidents. A virtual race war broke out in Chicago and Detroit.
Detroit saw 34 deaths in 2 days
Success?
Success during the period was small.
People focused on war NAACP Foundation of Congress of
Racial Equality The lines being drawn for a
future struggle in this area.