The United States in WW2: Mobilizing for Defense

1. The United States in WW2:Mobilizing for Defense Chapter 17, Section 1 Notes

2. Americans Join the War Effort • After Pearl Harbor, Americans jammed recruiting offices • Remember Pearl Harbor! • 5 million volunteers • Selective Service System • Expanded the draft • 10 million more soldiers to meet demand • Eight weeks of training

3. Expanding the Military • Women’s Auxiliary Army Corps (WAAC) • Created by Army Chief of Staff General George Marshall • Women volunteers serve in non-combat positions • Nurses, ambulance drivers, radio operators, electricians, and pilots • 350,000 women served

5. Diversity in the Armed Forces • Despite racial tension, minorities made dramatic contributions to the armed forces • Mexican-Americans, African-Americans, Asian-Americans, and Native Americans • 1 million African Americans served • Served in segregated units and limited to noncombat roles until 1943

6. A Production Miracle • Automobile plants were retooled to produce tanks, planes, boats, and command cars. • End of private automobile production • Factories were quickly converted to war production • Henry Kaiser produced Liberty ships in 40 days • Using “prefab” parts

7. The Building of Liberty Ships

8. Labor’s Contribution • Despite the draft, nearly 18 million workers were laboring in war industries • 6 million of these workers were women • Earned less and could operate machines • “Rosie the Riveter” campaign • Encourage women to join workforce

10. Labor’s Contribution • African-American Labor Leader A. Philip Randolph proposed a march on Washington to fight discrimination • FDR issued executive order 8802 calling on employers to hire without discrimination

11. AGRICULTURE • Farm machinery and fertilizers improved • Crop prices, crop production, and farm income increased • Farmers were able to pay off mortgages

12. Mobilization of Scientists • FDR created the Office of Scientific Research and Development (OSRD) • To bring scientists into the war effort • Improvements in radar and sonar • Miracle Drugs like penicillin • Secret development of the atomic bomb • The Manhattan Project – code name

13. Economic Controls • FDR created the Office of Price Admin. • Fought inflation by freezing prices • Raised the income tax • Up to 88% in the highest bracket! • War Production Board • Convert industries • Allocated raw materials • Organized drives to collect scrap iron, tin cans, and paper to recycle into war goods

15. Rationing • Rationing – establishing fixed allotments of goods deemed essential for the military • Homes received ration books with coupons to buy goods • Meat, shoes, sugar, coffee, and gas • Americans accepted rationing as their personal contribution to the war effort • Workers carpooled or rode bicycles

18. Population Centers • Population of cities and states with military bases and defense industries increased

19. Returning GI’s • GI Bill of Rights increased standard of living • Provided free education and job training • Provided federal loan guarantees for homes, farms, and businesses

20. AFRICAN AMERICANS • Defended their nation by joining the military and working in defense industries • Founded CORE-Congress of Racial Equality • Staged sit-ins and improved race relations

21. MEXICAN AMERICANS • Defended their nation by joining the military • Zoot Suit Riots

22. JAPANESE AMERICANS • Defended their nation by joining the military • Fought against relocation • Founded the Japanese Americans Citizens League (JACL) • Sought compensation for those forced in internment camps