T1: USA in WW2

How did US military production change by 1938?

Produced 20,000 planes per year.

What was the Cash and Carry plan?

Countries could buy US arms if they transported them themselves.

What was the Lend-Lease Deal (1941)?

The US lent weapons to allies instead of selling them.

Why did some Americans still oppose joining WWII?

Isolationist groups like America First Committee and mothers' movements.

What was mobilisation?

Preparing industry, workers, and the military for war.

What was the War Production Board (1942)?

Coordinated factories to increase war production.

Name one company and its wartime production.

General Motors - machine guns; Chrysler - anti-aircraft guns; Kaiser - Liberty ships, General Electric: 300x more turbines made

How many Americans served in the armed forces?

~16 million

How many women entered the workforce?

~7 million

Why were women important to wartime production?

They filled industrial jobs and were highly efficient workers.

What happened to women after the war?

Many kept jobs, gained confidence, but family strain increased.

When was Pearl Harbor attacked?

December 7th, 1941

What was Executive Order 9066?

Empowered US Army to designate areas from which 'any or all persons may be excluded': Allowed internment of Japanese Americans.

Who were Issei and Nisei?

Issei: born in Japan; Nisei: US-born citizens of Japanese descent.

What were the effects of internment?

Loss of property, discrimination, abuse, imprisonment without trial.

What was Executive Order 8802?

Banned racial discrimination in defence industries.

What was Executive Order 9981?

Abolished discrimination --> End of segregation in the US armed forces.

What caused the Detroit Race Riots (1943)?

Housing shortages, job competition, discrimination, police brutality.

What were the consequences of the Detroit riots?

34 deaths, $2 million damage, riots spread to other cities.

Positive change in the army

1944: allowed black solidiers into combat, Truman sacked secretary of army (didn't follow EO 8802)

Signs things were getting worse in the army

Black soldiers usually served in African American only units. Used as 'mules'. Segregated nursing

Positive change in the navy

EO 9981: desegregation of army units to living quarters

Signs things were getting worse in the navy

Only 58 AA sailors risen to officer rank at end of war, only AAs allowed to load ammunition onto ships for war zones --> accident - killed 323 people

Positive change in the workplace

Wages doubled to ~$1000/year

Signs things were getting worse in the workplace

Earned half of what white workers earned

Positive change in societal attitudes

civil rights movement gained power + lead by AAs during war, little change but black communists strengthened in their resolve for change

Signs things were getting worse in societal attitudes

Detroit Race riots - 47 other riots during war

Signs things were getting worse in the police force

Detroit Race riots: Police + troops killed 34 pople - 25 AAs, caused riots