WWII Home Front

What were the most important war needs?

• Control Inflation

• Industrial Production

• Workers

• Food / Medicine

• Raw materials

• Civil Rights

• Leadership

What was the office of war mobilization?

Guide Industry through the change over from consumer manufacturing to war production

What was the office of civil defense?

Civilians preparing for an attack

What was the office of war information?

Propaganda, getting people motivated, willing to fight, careful for what you say, war fever

What did the Selective Service Act require?

All men had to register for the draft; 61% of soilders were drafted and 39% were volunteers

How did the government pay for WWII?

Passed revenue acts

Collected taxes

Sold war bonds

What were ration stamps and why were they important?

Controlled how much people could buy, required both stamps and cash to purchase items. Limited purchases to prevent inflation.

What was the purpose of the War Productions Board?

Increased industrial output using Taylorism, how to be the most efficient

Who filled jobs during WWII and what challenges did they face?

Students, women, minorities, elderly, and handicapped

Faced prejudice and discrimination 

War jobs prioritized, some lacked training or quality control 

What was the National War Labor Relations Board’s function?

Mediated between workers and management to prevent strikes.

Smith Connally Act: Limited strike rights, required a 60 day notice 

Wildcat strikes: Spontaneous and hard to control

What innovations came from the Office of Scientific Research and Development?

Tanks, funnies with bridges, flamethrowers, atomic bombs, microwaves, Manhattan project

What were some positive effects of the war?

• Unity

• Post war benefits

• Freedom and equality

• Increased jobs and wages 

What were some negatives of the war?

Economic Inflation

Increased taxes

Social constraints and sacrifices 

460,000 American deaths 

Issi

Imigrants

Nissi

Native Borns, U.S. citizens