Transcript Americans in WWII 27.1

Do Now!
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Create a web brainstorming everything you
know about American involvement in WWII.
Americans in WWII
Chapter 24 Section 1
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After the attack on Pearl Harbor many
Americans rush to join WWII
Roosevelt declares war December 11th
1941
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2,350 dead, 68 civilians (1,177 from USS
Arizona)
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This attack was shocking to Americans. Why?
Why do you think the Japanese decided to attack
first?
Axis Advantages
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Both Germany and Japan maintained firm
control of conquered areas
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Why would this be an advantage?
Germany and Japan were better prepared
for war
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Increased militarism/aggression during the 1930s
People were angry, they knew war was coming
Allies Advantages
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Germany had to spread its forces from France to
the Soviet Union and from Norway to North Africa
Japan controlled a large area in the Pacific
2 front war—Germany never defeated the British
or the Soviets
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How could this potentially cause major problems for the
Third Reich?
Gigantic Soviet military and U.S. production
power were keys to victory
The United States Mobilizes for
War
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Wartime economy
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Government and private industries cooperate for
war effort
Union leaders agree not to strike
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Why is cooperation among these entities so
important?
Increased Production
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Government employs 500,000 workers to produce
ammunition and weapons
No cars are produced between 1940 and 1945
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American car factories produce planes, tanks, jeeps, and
guns
This creates an economic boom that ends the
Great Depression
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Unemployment drops to 1.2% in 1944
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Average earnings almost double
Government Expansion
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Mobilizing for war required a much larger federal
government—why?
Total war—there is not difference between
civilian and military resources
War Production Board—directed conversion of
civilian factories to military ones
Office of War Mobilization—coordinated
government agencies involved in war effort
Selective Training and Service Act (1940)—
peacetime draft