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The US in WWII

The US in WWII. Dec. 7, 1941: Japan attacked Pearl Harbor. How ready were we to respond?. Preparedness:. Since WWI: Isolationist The Great Depression Unemployment down, but when programs were cut in 1937, went up. Programs had to be restored. (WPA) Attack on Pearl Harbor

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The US in WWII

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  1. The US in WWII Dec. 7, 1941: Japan attacked Pearl Harbor. How ready were we to respond?

  2. Preparedness: • Since WWI: • Isolationist • The Great Depression • Unemployment down, but when programs were cut in 1937, went up. • Programs had to be restored. (WPA) • Attack on Pearl Harbor • Wiped out the Pacific Fleet • Unified Americans • Created Anti-Japanese feeling, esp. on West Coast

  3. Mobilization • How will the US convince businesses to retool for war equipment? • Huge expense! • What sacrifices will civilians be willing to make? • How will the US put together both a military force (enough to fight two fronts at once) and build a navy, tanks, planes… fast? • Is there enough manpower for both??

  4. Selective Service • 5 million rushed to enlist • Conscription still needed • 8 weeks basic training • Work force needs demanded more: • WAAC created to supplement • Driving, pilots, nurses, radio ops, clerical work • Women get official status, salary; no benefits

  5. Minorities: • Blacks had no equal rights in the US • Were drafted in large #s • Chinese Exclusion Act barred immigration • Chinese already here had no rights • But enlisted, served • Chinese Exclusion Act repealed 1943 • Japanese enlisted (not allowed until after 1943) • Native Americans & Mexican Americans enlisted in large numbers

  6. Production • Auto production stopped 1942 • Converted to tanks, boats, planes , command cars • Shipyards, defense plants grew, multiplied • 18 million workers filled jobs • More than 6 mill women • In defense plants, women, minorities faced prejudice • Many refused to hire African Americans, except for janitorial work • A. Philip Randolph organized march on Washington • FDR issued executive order for equal hiring • Randolph cancelled the march

  7. Science • Office of Scientific Research & Development • Improved radar and sonar • Developed miracle drugs (penicillin) • Atomic Bomb • Learning that Germany was splitting Uranium Atoms- • OSRD set up Manhattan Project at Columbia U

  8. Government Control • Danger of inflation • Supplies of consumer goods declined • Demand increased • OPA (Office of Price Control) froze prices, wages • Rationing: coupon books issued for scarce goods • Shortages existed on rubber goods, meat, shoes, sugar, coffee, gas • Congress raised, extended income tax • Encouraged buying war bonds • Result: inflation stayed below 30% • WPB War Production Board • Decided which plants built which products, got them the raw materials • Launched nationwide drives for scrap metals, paper, rags, cooking fat

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