Transcript Freedom from Want

The US and WWII:
How we got in &
how the home
front did its part
World War II:
Transitions on the Home Front
A brief economic and political overview
Transition to War
• While America declared neutrality until after the Japanese
bombed Pearl Harbor, steps were taken by President Franklin
D. Roosevelt to get the American economy and people ready for
a potential war.
• Congress passed the Selective Training and Service Act (first
peacetime draft) in 1940
• Draft Cards:
Transition to War: Economic
• The government established in August 1941 the
Office of Price Administration (OPA) to set
maximum prices and in December 1941, rationing
took effect.
– Rationed items included: gasoline, tires, coffee, sugar,
meat, butter, canned goods, silk stockings
Economic: Victory Gardens
The government encouraged people to grow their own food to help the war
effort and to supplement the rationed food supply.
Transition to War: Economic
• The government raised money by increasing
income taxes and through selling war bonds.
War Bonds
War Bonds
Transition to War: Political
• In his State of the Union Address on January 6, 1941,
President Franklin D. Roosevelt outlined the natural rights
of mankind, which were obviously being abolished under
the Axis Powers
• These natural rights were distilled into four freedoms
that he believed all people were entitled to.
(This is 11 months before Pearl Harbor is bombed by the Japanese.)
• Four Freedoms
–
–
–
–
Freedom of Speech
Freedom of Worship
Freedom from Want
Freedom from Fear
• Norman Rockwell interpreted these four freedoms in
pictures to help support the war effort.
Freedom of Speech
Freedom of Worship
Freedom from Want
Freedom from Fear
Beginning of War
• When these freedoms are infringed upon by the
Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7,
1941, Americans are mentally prepared to go to war.
Explosion of the
USS Arizona's
forward
magazines. This
occurred at 0806.
National Archives
#80G32637
Almost the same
instant caught by
another
photographer with
color film.
National Archives
#80GK13513
Pearl Harbor
A fireball engulfs the USS Shaw moments after an attack by Japanese warplanes on Pearl
Harbor, Hawaii, in December 1941.
Pearl Harbor: Destruction of the Pacific Fleet
Pearl Harbor bombing. California hit. Battered by
aerial bombs and torpedoes, the USS California
settles slowly into the mud and muck of Pearl
Harbor. Clouds of black, oily smoke pouring up from
the California and her stricken sister ships conceal
all but the hull of the capsized USS Oklahoma at the
extreme right., 1942.
Pearl Harbor: The Aftermath
• Casualties
US Army: 218 KIA, 364 WIA.
US Navy: 2,008 KIA, 710 WIA.
US Marine Corps: 109 KIA, 69 WIA.
Civilians: 68 KIA, 35 WIA.
TOTAL:
2,403 KIA, 1,178 WIA
KIA: Killed In Action
WIA: Wounded in Action
War Declared
• On December 8, 1941, FDR went before Congress and
asked for a declaration of war against Japan.
• He started his speech by saying, “Yesterday,
December 7, 1941-a date which will live in infamythe United States of America was suddenly and
deliberately attacked by naval and air forces of the
Empire of Japan.”
War’s Upon Us
• With the declaration of war, American production has got to get
moving!
• In 1942 the War Production Board (WPB) is created to increase
military production.
– Converted existing factories to wartime production
– Built new factories
– Recycled raw materials into different industries
• In 1943 the Office of War Mobilization (OWM) is created to
coordinate government agencies involved in the war effort.
– Determined amount of raw materials that could be diverted
to civilians.
• Ex. Nylon used for parachutes, not pantyhose. Fashion
styles changed, as fabric couldn’t be sacrificed to make
pleats or cuffs.
• Women are recruited to fill the positions men are leaving as
they go to war.
• The most iconic image is of Rosie the Riveter
Rosie the Riveter
Rosie the Riveter, image by Norman Rockwell
Some Real “Rosie the Riveters”
“Rosies” in action
Women and Overall War Production
• From 1940 to 1944, 6 million new women joined the
workforce, most in clerical and service jobs.
• Women were paid less than men for the same work.
• African American women and women over 40 yrs old had a
harder time finding employers.
• Unemployment dropped from 14.6% in 1940 to 1.2% in 1944.
• Average weekly wages rose 65 percent, and manufacturing
workers saw their real income jump 27 percent.
• Earnings nearly doubled between 1939 and 1945.
• In 1940, government arsenals employed 22,000 workers and
by 1943, they employed 486,000.
• From 1940 to 1945 America built 300,000 aircraft; 88,000
landing craft; 215 submarines, 147 aircraft carriers, 952 other
warships, 5,200 merchant ships, 88,410 tanks, 6.5 million
rifles, and 40 billion bullets.
War Workers
WWII:
Transitions on the Home Front
• Due to pre-war/early war
economic and political
preparations by the US
government, Americans
were better able to deal
with the onset of war.
• These preparations
allowed civilians to more
effectively contribute to
the war effort, which in
turn helped soldiers.
QUIZ! 
The name of the women who
filled the positions of men
who went to war?
a)
Rosie the Rivetor
b)
War Mobilization
c)
Proud Patricia
d)
Rocky’s Renegades
From 1940-1944, ______
women joined the workforce?
a)
18 million
b)
6 million
c)
12 million
d)
7 million
Who helped coordinate
government agencies for war?
a)
Fireside chats
b)
Office of War Mobilization
c)
The New Deal
d)
Homeland Security
From 1939- 1945, earnings for
women ______ during this
time?
a)
tripled
b)
doubled
c)
quadrupled
d)
stayed the same
What are examples of things
women helped produce
during WWII?
a)
submarines
b)
bullets
c)
aircraft carriers
d)
all of the above