America and World War II

America and World War II Mobilizing for War

Introduction • The US was unwilling and unprepared for war. • The people quickly banded together • America would become the most productive and efficient war-making machine in the world • The US played a crucial role in defeating Germany, Italy, and Japan.

Converting the Economy • Victory depended on US industrial power. • Cost-Plus system • Under the cost-plus system, the more a company produced and the faster it did the work, the more money it would make. • Reconstruction Finance Corporation (RFC) • Government agency set up during the Depression now permitted to make loans to companies to help cover the cost of converting to war production.

The War Production Board • The WPB was set up to prioritize the production of war materials being produced and control the distribution of raw materials and supplies. • The WPB often clashed with military leaders who wanted the priorities set differently • The Office of War Mobilization (OWM) • Set up to settle arguments between the different agencies

Creating and Building an Army • Selective Service and Training Act • A plan for the first peace time draft in American History

Creating and Building an Army • The Army did not know what to do with the new recruits • Troops used sticks to represent guns • Trucks drove around with big signs that read “TANK” • “Basic Training” did not train the new soldiers effectively

Creating and Building an Army • A Segregated Army • African American soldiers were trained and units were formed separately from white trainees and units

Creating and Building an Army • “Double V” • A victory over Hitler’s racism abroad and a victory over racism at home • Roosevelt ordered the Army Air Force, Navy, and Marines to begin recruiting African Americans • African Americans were also to be put into combat • Benjamin O. Davis is appointed to brigadier general, the highest ranking African American officer in the U.S. Army

Creating and Building an Army • African Americans in Combat • US Army Air Force creates the 99th Pursuit Squadron • These pilots became known as the Tuskegee Airmen

Creating and Building an Army • Women Join the Armed Forces • Women were encouraged to “release a man for combat” • Women’s Army Auxiliary Corps (WAAC) • Oveta Culp Hobby: the WAAC’s first director • Later changed to Women’s Army Corps (the women did not like the “auxiliary” part of the name)

Creating and Building an Army • Americans Go to War • The first troops were not well trained • No previous military experience • Performed well in battle • The US suffered the fewest casualties of all the other countries.

America and World War II