WWWI Last one

APUSH Notes: Mobilizing Society for War (WWII)

1. U.S. Entry into WWII

  • December 7, 1941: Attack on Pearl Harbor → U.S. enters war

  • Germany declares war → two fronts (Europe + Pacific)

2. Expansion of Federal Government

  • Massive increase in federal power to manage war

Key Agencies:

  • War Production Board (WPB)

    • Converted factories to military production

    • Stopped civilian car production

    • Produced:

      • 100,000+ planes/tanks (first year)

      • 76,000 ships total

  • Office of Price Administration (OPA)

    • Controlled inflation

    • Set price ceilings

    • Rationed goods (gas, meat, sugar, coffee)

  • Office of War Information (OWI)

    • Propaganda to mobilize public

    • Encouraged unity, work, sacrifice

3. Economic Transformation

  • War ended the Great Depression

  • Military spending = ~1/3 of economy

  • U.S. becomes top global industrial power

  • Mass production efficiency (ships built in weeks, not months)

  • Labor unions grew:

    • 11 million → 15 million members

4. Workforce Demographic Shifts

Women

  • Entered industrial jobs (“Rosie the Riveter”)

  • Filled factory and defense roles

African Americans

  • Second Great Migration (1.5 million moved North/West)

  • Executive Order 8802

    • Banned discrimination in defense jobs

  • Double V Campaign = victory abroad + at home (civil rights)

Mexican Americans

  • Bracero Program

    • Imported labor for agriculture/railroads

  • Faced discrimination → Zoot Suit Riots

5. Social Tensions

  • Rapid demographic change → racial conflict

  • Race riots in:

    • Detroit

    • Los Angeles

    • Philadelphia

6. Civil Liberties in Wartime

Restrictions increased despite “freedom” war goals

  • Minersville School District v. Gobitis

    • Forced flag salute upheld

  • West Virginia v. Barnette

    • Reversed → protected free speech

7. Japanese Internment

  • Executive Order 9066

    • 110,000+ Japanese Americans forced into camps

    • Over half were U.S. citizens

Supreme Court cases:

  • Hirabayashi v. United States → upheld restrictions

  • Korematsu v. United States → upheld internment

  • Government later apologized (1988) + paid reparations

8. Key Takeaways (APUSH Core)

  • Federal government power expanded dramatically

  • Economy shifted to total war mobilization

  • Workforce became more diverse (women, minorities)

  • Civil liberties were restricted under national security

  • War set foundation for:

    • Civil Rights Movement

    • Postwar economic dominance