Key Concepts from World War II: The Home Front

Page 1: Introduction

GROW IT YOURSELF
PLAN A FARM GARDEN NOW
Related to the theme of self-sufficiency during wartime.
World War II: The Home Front
Introduction to the impact of World War II on American society.

Page 2: Prelude to War

The Arsenal of Democracy: The phrase coined by President Franklin D. Roosevelt (FDR) to describe the U.S. role in supporting allies while remaining non-combatant at the start of the war.

• America was "officially neutral" at the war’s onset.

• FDR increased military production and bypassed Neutrality Acts post-Nazi victories.

• FDR sought a third term to ensure continuity in leadership during a crisis.

• Lend-Lease Act: Provided military aid to allies (Britain, China, Soviet Union).

• U.S. actions included an embargo on oil and scrap iron sales to Japan, marking a shift toward more aggressive foreign policy posture.

Page 3: The Election of 1940

• A map shows electoral results: FDR in green, Willkie in red.

• FDR achieved an unprecedented third term, defeating internationalist opponent Willkie.

Page 4: The America First Committee

• Formed in 1940 with approximately 800,000 members.

• Notable member: Charles Lindbergh.

• Advocated for U.S. defense build-up and neutrality in European conflicts.

• Dissolved shortly after the attack on Pearl Harbor.

Page 5: FDR’s “Four Freedoms”

• In FDR's 1941 State of the Union, he articulated the Four Freedoms:

  1. Freedom of Speech and Expression

  2. Freedom of Worship

  3. Freedom from Want

  4. Freedom from Fear

• Aims to secure a world that promotes these freedoms universal despite current global tensions.

Page 6: Detail on the “Four Freedoms”

• Freedom of Speech: Advocacy for expression everywhere.

• Freedom of Worship: Respect for individual religious practices globally.

• Freedom from Want: Economic relations ensuring healthy lives for all nations.

• Freedom from Fear: Global disarmament to prevent aggression.

Page 7: Selective Service Act of 1940

• Enacted as the first peacetime draft in U.S. history.

• Men aged 21-35 required to register, later expanded to ages 18-65.

• Mandated 12-month service in military or U.S. possessions.

Page 8: Pearl Harbor Attack

• Date: December 7, 1941.

• Japanese forces utilized carrier-based planes to strike the naval base in Hawaii.

• Casualties: Over 2400 Americans, significant damage to the Pacific fleet.

Page 9: Nature of the Pearl Harbor Attack

• The Japanese aimed to incapacitate U.S. military presence in the Pacific.

• The attack was strategically planned to avoid detection; however, some warnings had been issued prior.

• Not classified as a 'sneak attack' retroactively.

Page 10: FDR’s War Message

• Delivered to Congress on December 8, 1941, sought a declaration of war against Japan.

• Only one dissenting vote was cast.

• Shortly thereafter, Germany declared war on the U.S. as well.

Page 11: Significance of FDR's War Message

• Notable revisions to FDR's wording included "a date which will live in infamy."

• FDR's speech template was found decades later, showcasing his meticulous preparation.

Page 12: German Agents in the U.S.

• June 1942: Sending of German saboteurs to American soil.

• Their intent was to disrupt the war effort by targeting critical infrastructures.

• FBI thwarted their activities; trials led to convictions.

Page 13: U-Boats in the Western Atlantic

• Operation Paukenschlag launched against U.S. East Coast.

• Resulted in sinking of over 500 ships in U.S. waters from July to December 1942.

• The U.S. 10th Fleet engaged against these U-boat threats, destroying 65 of them.

Page 14: Japanese Balloon Bombs

• These devices carried bombs and were intended to drift towards the U.S. West Coast.

• Examples of casualties: Six individuals in Oregon who were killed by one such bomb in 1945.

Page 15: Civil Defense

• Organized efforts aiming to protect against potential Axis attacks on the home front.

• Established the Office of Civilian Defense comprising Civil Air Patrols and other protective services.

Page 16: War Powers Act

• Provided wide-ranging authority to the president to conduct warfare.

• Included oversight on war contracts and expenditure priorities.

• Implemented media censorship to control war narrative but media largely self-censored.

Page 17: New Recruits

• Post-Pearl Harbor, over 60,000 individuals enlisted.

• Military struggled with training and barrack shortages due to sudden enlistment surge.

• Enlistment efforts broke down cultural barriers.

Page 18: Basic Training

• Recruits underwent rigorous physical training to enhance skill and discipline.

• Included obstacle courses, forced marches, and marksmanship.

Page 19: Marshall and Mobilization

• General George C. Marshall: Became a driving force behind military readiness.

• Advocated for increased funding and manpower leading up to the war efforts.

Page 20: Women in the War Effort

• Women stepped into roles such as heavy industry and military positions as men were enlisted.

• This shift led to notable changes in family structure and societal roles.

Page 21: The Women’s Army Corps

• Following the British model, Congress established the Women’s Auxiliary Army Corps in 1942.

• Later renamed to Women’s Army Corps (WAC).

• Directed by Col. Oveta Culp Hobby, it organized women into supportive military roles.

Page 22: WAVEs

• Women Accepted for Voluntary Emergency Service: Similar to WACs but tailored to Navy roles.

• Primarily engaged in clerical work and nursing, not deployed overseas.

Page 23: WASPs

• Women’s Airforce Service Pilots: Performed crucial flight tasks, freeing men for combat roles.

• Significant contributions were made by figures like Cochran and Love.

Page 24: Women in the Workforce

• Many women contributed to wartime manufacturing and other essential industries.

• Engaged in communal efforts such as Victory Gardens but often received lower wages than men.

Page 25: “Rosie the Riveter”

• Iconic representation of women in the workforce.

• Based on Rose Will Monroe, illustrated women's contribution to war industries.

Page 26: Office of War Information

• Coordinated information dissemination regarding the war effort.

• Promoted patriotism and recruitment of women into the workforce through campaigns.

Page 27: Wartime Propaganda Posters

• Government utilized fear-based messaging and racial stereotypes to boost support for the war.

• Such imagery focused on promoting American values against totalitarian regimes.

Page 28: Donald Duck in Nutziland

• A Disney propaganda cartoon featuring Donald Duck in a humorous critique of Nazi Germany.

• Reflected popular culture's engagement with wartime messaging.

Page 29: 1940s Movies

• Films during the 1940s often depicted wartime heroes and enemies, creating a patriotic narrative.

• Notable themes involved showcasing American resilience against Axis powers.

Page 30: Mobilization of Industry

• Shift from “New Deal” focus to wartime production named “Dr. Win the War.”

• Civilian industries pivoted to prioritize war production alongside labor negotiations.

Page 31: “A Production Miracle”

• American production capabilities surprised Axis powers, leading to enhanced military output.

• Factories rapidly adapted to support war efforts.

Page 32: War Production Board

• Established to ensure military had necessary resources and to manage industrial conversion.

• Directed allocation of raw materials and commanded scrap drives for war production.

Page 33: Scrap Drives

• Engaged citizens in collecting usable waste for military purposes, with necessary materials including metals and fats.

Page 34: Scrap Drives: Posters

• Government advertisements used celebrity endorsements to encourage recycling efforts.

Page 35: Office of War Mobilization

• Formed in 1943 to become the lead government agency for war mobilization.

• James Byrnes effectively coordinated between labor and military needs.

Page 36: The Truman Committee

• Established under Senator Harry S. Truman to root out waste and fraud in defense contracts.

• Resulted in significant taxpayer savings through inspections.

Page 37: War Manpower Commission

• Oversaw military recruitment while balancing needs of agriculture and industry in wartime.

• Provided deferments for specific occupations and controlled the draft until 1943.

Page 38: Financing the War

• U.S. wartime expenses exceeded $321 billion ($3 trillion in today’s terms).

• Increased national debt linked to new income tax requirements and war bond sales.

Page 39: War Bonds

• Over $185 billion in war bonds were sold, funded by citizens and businesses.

• Celebrity endorsements helped make bonds appealing to the public.

Page 40: War Bonds: Posters

• Marketing materials encouraged citizens to contribute to the war effort through purchasing bonds.

Page 41: Office of Price Administration

• Aimed to control inflation during the war via price ceilings on goods.

• Managed rationing of essential goods until disbanded in 1947.

Page 42: Rationing

• Implemented systems, like stamps and points, to distribute scarce consumer goods including food and fuel.

• Black market emerged as a response to complexities of gasoline rationing.

Page 43: Rationing: Books and Stamps

• Description of ration books, which documented consumer allocations and use of rationing stamps.

Page 44: Victory Gardens

• Government initiative encouraged citizens to cultivate personal gardens to combat food shortages.

• Nearly 20 million started these gardens, significantly supplementing wartime food supplies.

Page 45: National Housing Agency

• Established in 1942 to address housing shortages due to defense-related relocations.

• Coordinated housing and loan programs amid construction stoppages for non-defense purposes.

Page 46: National War Labor Board

• Mediated workplace conflicts during wartime to ensure productivity.

• Included a no-strike pledge from labor unions while addressing grievances.

Page 47: War’s Economic Impact

• The war led to economic growth: nominal GDP and wages increased, while professional employment surged.

• U.S. debt increased substantially.

Page 48: Geographic Shifts in the Economy

• The South transitioned economically with significant job creation in essential industries.

• California emerged as a center for military production and federal funds utilization.

Page 49: Japanese American Internment

• Following Executive Order 9066, over 110,000 Japanese individuals were forcibly relocated.

• Many were U.S. citizens; internment camps were notorious for their conditions.

Page 50: Prejudice Against Nisei

• American stereotypes and historical resentment played roles in justifying internment; misconceptions prevailed.

Page 51: “I Am an American”

• Despite showing loyalty to the U.S., many Nisei were interned and lost homes/businesses.

Page 52: Life in the Camps

• Internment camp life involved poor conditions and loss of civilization assets, estimated at $2 billion.

Page 53: Manzanar

• Best-known internment camp, known for harsh climates and detentions of about 12,000 internees.

Page 54: Korematsu v. U.S. (1942)

• Case where Korematsu contested internment orders that were upheld as wartime necessity but vacated later due to governmental misconduct.

Page 55: The 442nd Regimental Combat Team

• Established as the most decorated military unit of WWII, primarily composed of Nisei who served bravely overseas.

Page 56: Civil Liberties Act of 1988

• Act acknowledged wrongs of internment, issued apologies, and provided reparations to surviving internees.

Page 57: Internment of Other Groups

• Germans and Italians also faced internment without evidence of wrongdoing prevailing as a tragic norm.

Page 58: African Americans and the War

• African Americans faced racial inequality at home despite fighting against fascism abroad, pushing for workplace equality.

Page 59: The “Double V” Campaign

• Initiated by Pittsburgh Courier, it sought dual victories over fascism abroad and racism at home.

Page 60: Dorie Miller

• Gained recognition as a Pearl Harbor hero, although initial commendations were limited.

• His legacy was honored posthumously with the Navy Cross.

Page 61: The Tuskegee Airmen

• Distinguished all-black unit demonstrating effectiveness in combat missions, providing exemplary service contrary to racial biases.

Page 62: Randolph and the Fair Employment Act

• A. Philip Randolph prompted FDR to advocate for Fair Employment enacting measures against workplace discrimination.

Page 63: The Navajo Code Talkers

• Utilized unique Navajo language for secure military communications; the code remained unbroken throughout the war.

Page 64: The Bracero Program

• Initiated to address labor shortages, bringing Mexican laborers into U.S. agriculture and facing significant labor rights issues.

Page 65: “Zoot Suit Riots”

• Conflicts in Los Angeles highlighted racial tensions during the war, involving servicemen and Mexican American youths.

Page 66: Service Flags

• Flags indicated military service of relatives, blue denoting service and gold representing loss during active duty.

Page 67: The Sullivan Brothers

• Exemplified familial sacrifice with all siblings killed in action while serving together, became symbolically significant in military lore.

Page 68: The Election of 1944

• FDR’s fourth-term prospects were complicated by the selection of Harry Truman as a running mate, eventually winning the election.

Page 69: Roosevelt Dies

• FDR passed on April 12, 1945, shortly before the war’s conclusion, eliciting widespread mourning.

Page 70: Truman Takes Office

• Took the presidential oath and guided the nation during final war months and early Cold War tensions, notably authorizing the atomic bomb.

Page 71: V-E Day and V-J Day

• Celebrations marking end of the war in Europe (May 1945) and against Japan (September 1945) framed a national discourse on postwar challenges.

Page 72: The GI Bill

• Servicemen’s Readjustment Act aimed to ease postwar transitions by providing education, training, and financial support for veterans.

The Attack on Pearl Harbor

• Date: December 7, 1941.

• Japanese forces used carrier-based planes to strike the naval base in Hawaii.

• Casualties: Over 2400 Americans; significant damage to the U.S. Pacific fleet.

• Aimed to incapacitate U.S. military presence in the Pacific; strategically planned to avoid detection.

U.S. Involvement in WWII Prior to Pearl Harbor

• America was officially neutral at the war's onset, but FDR increased military production and bypassed Neutrality Acts due to Nazi victories.

• The Lend-Lease Act was established to provide military aid to allies.

• U.S. enacted an embargo on oil and scrap iron sales to Japan, marking a shift towards a more aggressive foreign policy.

Espionage and Aggression from Japanese and Germans

• German saboteurs targeted critical infrastructures; FBI thwarted these activities leading to trials and convictions.

• U-Boats sank over 500 ships along the U.S. East Coast in 1942.

The Four Freedoms Speech

• In FDR's 1941 State of the Union, the Four Freedoms were articulated:

  1. Freedom of Speech and Expression

  2. Freedom of Worship

  3. Freedom from Want

  4. Freedom from Fear

• Aimed to secure a world promoting these freedoms universally despite global tensions.

The War Powers Act

• Provided the president with wide-ranging authority to conduct warfare and oversee war contracts and expenditures.

• Implemented media censorship to control the war narrative.

Training and Preparation in the Military

• Enacted Selective Service Act of 1940 which established the first peacetime draft.

• Rigorous physical training for recruits included obstacle courses and marksmanship training.

Women in the WWII Workforce

• Women stepped into roles in heavy industry and military positions as men enlisted.

• The Women’s Army Corps (WAC) and WAVEs emerged, contributing significantly.

• Iconic representation of women in the workforce illustrated by “Rosie the Riveter.”

Role of Unions During the War

• Unions mediated workplace conflicts to maintain productivity; labor unions pledged no-strike agreements.

Industrialization During the War

• Shift from New Deal focus to wartime production was named “Dr. Win the War.”

• Factories rapidly adapted to support military output through the War Production Board.

Financing the War

• U.S. wartime expenses exceeded $321 billion; significant national debt arose.

• Over $185 billion in war bonds sold to citizens and businesses to fund operations.

Economic Impact of the War

• War led to economic growth; nominal GDP and wages increased significantly.

• Job creation particularly surged in California as a center for military production.

Japanese Internment

• Executive Order 9066 led to the relocation of over 110,000 Japanese Americans, many of whom were citizens.

• Camps had poor conditions and were notorious for their treatment of internees.

Korematsu v. The United States

• Court case that contested internment orders upheld initially but later voided due to governmental misconduct.

African Americans' Role in WWII

• Fought against racial inequality at home and pushed for workplace equality.

• “Double V” Campaign aimed for victories over fascism abroad and racism at home.

Civil Rights & “V for Victory” in the War

• The campaign symbolized dual strategies for equity domestically and in wartime efforts.

Popular Culture - Movies and TV During WWII

• Films showcased wartime heroes and narratives reinforcing patriotism amidst the war.

Propaganda During the War

• Fear-based messaging and racial stereotypes promoted American values against Axis powers.

Rationing and Community Drives for Materials

• Citizens participated in collecting materials and rationing of essential goods like food and fuel.

• Community efforts contributed significantly to the war effort.

Japanese American Soldiers During the War

• Nisei served effectively, forming standout military units like the 442nd Regimental Combat Team.

Mexican Labor During the War

• The Bracero Program addressed labor shortages in agriculture with Mexican laborers.

“Zoot Suit” Riots

• Racial conflicts in Los Angeles highlighted tensions between servicemen and Mexican American youths.

Truman’s Transition to Power

• Harry Truman took office and guided the nation post-war, notably authorizing the atomic bomb.

VE & VJ Day

• Celebrations in May and September, marking the end of the war in Europe and against Japan, respectively.

GI Bill

• Servicemen’s Readjustment Act aimed to ease postwar transitions through education and financial support for veterans.

Navajo Code Talkers

• Utilized the Navajo language for secure military communication; their code remained unbroken throughout the war.