USHC 7.2: Evaluate the impact of war mobilization on the home front, including consumer sacrifices, the role of women and minorities in the workforce, and limits on individual rights that resulted in the internment of Japanese Americans.

Embargo – to restrict or eliminate trade with another country as a political or diplomatic tool. Mobilization – to assemble, prepare, and manage a war effort. Rationing – a fixed portion or amount of a food by those in military or citizens during a time of war. Internment – confining a group of people in wartime.

The Home Front War efforts usually require sacrifices by the citizens. At times, a government may have to suspend the normal freedoms enjoyed by companies and citizens to accomplish the war effort. Roosevelt and Businesses private companies to convert to military production Government controlled resources Gas, coffee, sugar, eggs, bacon, & grain rationed Ration coupon book Government fixes wages and prices

U.S. Neutrality Acts passed in 1930’s Designed to keep US out of War Avoid repeat of WWI “Cash and carry” Countries must pay in gold Must transport on own vessels Lend Lease Act Allows U.S. to “loan” allies weapons Clear indication that US is not neutral England, USSR, Free France, China, and other Allies

Japanese invasion of China Japan invades northern China US threatens economic sanctions Embargo US stops trading some goods to “aggressive” nations Clearly intended to isolate Japan US stops trading oil to Japanese Japanese view as a threat Pearl Harbor, Dec. 7, 1941 Surprise attack on US Pacific fleet Japan hopes to neutralize US in order to create its Pacific Empire

War Bonds Citizens loan money to government by purchasing bonds Government hires advertising agencies to run campaigns Bonds took 40 years to mature Estimate that $16.7 billion have not been redeemed

Most young men off to fight Women Many women fill roles in industry “Rosie the Riveter” Some support roles in military African Americans Demand equal access to war jobs Threatened march on Washington FDR creates commission to ensure jobs provided to African – Amer. Mexican Workers Welcomed into US to fill farm workers that had enlisted

Racial and ethnic tensions rise African Americans still fight in segregated units Military bases in South still discriminatory Mexican Americans attacked in California for dressing un-American “Zoot Suit” Riots – US sailors attack Mexican neighborhoods in Los Angeles

Western states fear Japanese attacks Urge President Roosevelt to act Japanese Americans Ordered to sell their homes and private property Ordered to report to camps in the American deserts Korematsu v. U.S. Japanese American sued for violation of civil rights Supreme Court backed government

To what extent did Americans make the sacrifices necessary to mount a total war effort? To what extent did all Americans contribute to the war effort? How did mobilization impact democracy and society?