America Officially Joins WWII Life on the Home Front

Mobilization U.S. Declares War – Dec. 8 and Dec. 11 Axis Power declare on U.S. Military Service – Selective Service System=11 mil and 5 mil volunteer – “GI” (Government Issued) – Women’s Auxiliary Army Corp (WAAC-5/12/42) 250,000 would serve – Minorities African Americans (1mil.); Mexican Americans (1/2 mil.); Chinese Americans (13,000); Japanese American; (33,000); Native Americans (25,000)

Government Takes Control 1) Office of Price Administration (Apr.1941) -prevent inflation like WWI -regulate price controls on supplies, rents and freezes on wages -Rationing-limiting the amount of goods people could buy or use (essential for war effort) ex. meats, vegetables, coffee, sugar and gas 2) War Production Board (1942) -regulating raw materials and halting production of nonessential war items ex. drive to get iron, tin cans, paper, etc..

Government Takes Control 3) Office of War Information -propaganda for war effort 4) Shift to War Materials -machine guns, planes, munitions, “Liberty Ships”

Work Force Unemployment – decrease by 1943 – weekly earning increase Smith-Connally Act (1943) – authorizes government seizure of plant or mine on strike that was vital to the war National War Labor Board (NWLB) – help to prevent conflicts in work force – help negotiate with unions and war industries

Financing the War Revenue Act 1942 – increased the amount of people who paid income tax (13 to 50 mil.) – introduces payroll deductions or “pay as you go” **Taxes accounted for 41% of the cost of the war Borrowed Money – private banks, investors and the public – “War Bonds” (1942=$156 Billion) – Deficit Spending-spending more money than you have *beginning of our HUGE national debt

Women’s Role Changing Job Role – Shift from limited work outside home into industry – War creates higher paying jobs in steel, welders, riveters, airplanes, shipyards, etc.. Recruiting Women – married and older women – Rosie the Riveter Fictional character to get women into the workforce Number of women working increased a 1/3 from

Women’s Role Cont. Employee Benefits Women’s Benefits – increase $, patriotism, minority women Problems – hostile environments, childcare, less money Post War – “pushed” back to house – mixed reactions of women – lost jobs to men – no longer needed

African American’s Role Social – Move from South to North, cause problems – “Double V” Campaign Axis Powers and equality at home – CORE (Congress of Racial Equality) 1942 non-violent tactics to end segregation – FEPC (Fair Employment Practice Committee) hear complaints about job discrimination Military – Segregated units (not bring in domestic issues)

Mexican/Native Americans Mexican – Southwest and West in shipyards and aircraft factories – “Barceros”-Mexican farm workers in agriculture – Increase population in CA creates tension Native – “Navajo” Code Talkers – Move from reservations to work in defense industry and don’t return

Japanese Americans Lived in West Coast and 2/3 were “Nisei” (first generation American citizens) Reaction – Executive Order 9066 (Feb 19, 1942) “military zones” in west coast and relocate all “aliens” Internment camps established inland (110,000 people) – Results lost business, farms, homes and most property – Apology in 1988 give $20,000 to each survivor Military – 442 Regimental Combat-more medal for bravery than anyone else