War on the Home Front By: Sarah Geary By: Sarah Geary

African Americans Join the Forces A total of 1,056,841 African Americans ages enlisted into the armed forces in A total of 1,056,841 African Americans ages enlisted into the armed forces in They went into the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard. They went into the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard. African Americans fought in separate units. One group called the Tuskegee Airmen, became the first African American flying unit in the U.S. military. African Americans fought in separate units. One group called the Tuskegee Airmen, became the first African American flying unit in the U.S. military. In 1945 the enlistment of African In 1945 the enlistment of African Americans had lowered because of the severe restrictions placed against their enlistment.

Zoot Suit Riots Zoot Suit Riots The Zoot Suit Riots were a series of riots that erupted in Los Angeles, Cali. The Zoot Suit Riots were a series of riots that erupted in Los Angeles, Cali. They were between sailors and soldiers stationed in the city and Mexican American kids. They were between sailors and soldiers stationed in the city and Mexican American kids. They started when the Mexican kids that were wearing Zoot Suits assaulted a group of servicemen so they started attacking all the men and kids that were wearing Zoot Suits. They started when the Mexican kids that were wearing Zoot Suits assaulted a group of servicemen so they started attacking all the men and kids that were wearing Zoot Suits. Several hundred Mexicans and 9 sailors were arrested after several days of fighting. Several hundred Mexicans and 9 sailors were arrested after several days of fighting.

Internment Camps Internment Camps There were 10 main Japanese internment camps or “relocation centers”, around the U.S. There were 10 main Japanese internment camps or “relocation centers”, around the U.S. They were located in California, Idaho, Utah, Arizona, Wyoming, Colorado, and Arkansas. They were located in California, Idaho, Utah, Arizona, Wyoming, Colorado, and Arkansas. The Japanese Americans were The Japanese Americans were sent to these camps because there was a danger of those of Japanese descent spying for them.

Cont’. About 120,000 Japanese Americans were sent to the camps during WWII. About 120,000 Japanese Americans were sent to the camps during WWII. The conditions were hard. They were housed in barracks and had to use communal areas for washing, laundry, and eating. The conditions were hard. They were housed in barracks and had to use communal areas for washing, laundry, and eating. They were very overcrowded and many died of diseases that spread throughout the camps. They were very overcrowded and many died of diseases that spread throughout the camps. Two and a half years after the camps opened President Roosevelt closed the camps. The last camp was finally closed in Two and a half years after the camps opened President Roosevelt closed the camps. The last camp was finally closed in 1945.

Victory Gardens The victory garden was to help with the rationing that was going on throughout the United States. The victory garden was to help with the rationing that was going on throughout the United States. A victory garden was a home vegetable garden planted to add to the home food supply and replace farm produce sent to feed the soldiers. A victory garden was a home vegetable garden planted to add to the home food supply and replace farm produce sent to feed the soldiers. By 1943 victory gardens produced about one third of the country’s fresh vegetables. By 1943 victory gardens produced about one third of the country’s fresh vegetables.

Cont’. About 20 million Americans planted victory gardens in their backyards, empty lots, and even on some city rooftops. About 20 million Americans planted victory gardens in their backyards, empty lots, and even on some city rooftops. In 1943 families bought about 315,000 pressure cookers which were used in the canning process. In 1943 families bought about 315,000 pressure cookers which were used in the canning process. It was estimated that about 9-10 millions tons of fruits and vegetables were harvested, an amount equal to all commercial production of fresh vegetables. It was estimated that about 9-10 millions tons of fruits and vegetables were harvested, an amount equal to all commercial production of fresh vegetables.

Rationing In Jan some foods had to be rationed like canned meat, vegetables, and condensed milk. In Jan some foods had to be rationed like canned meat, vegetables, and condensed milk. The foods had to be rationed because Germans had bombed our food ships and stores. The foods had to be rationed because Germans had bombed our food ships and stores. The only food that was available for the people was on ration. The only food that was available for the people was on ration. There was a coupon or points system that everybody had to use and they were given 16 pts. to each person per month. It was later raised to 20 points. There was a coupon or points system that everybody had to use and they were given 16 pts. to each person per month. It was later raised to 20 points.

Cont’. Pregnant, nursing women, and babies got special supplies of milk, cod liver oil, and orange juice. Pregnant, nursing women, and babies got special supplies of milk, cod liver oil, and orange juice. In July 1940 there was a complete ban on the making or selling of iced cakes. In July 1940 there was a complete ban on the making or selling of iced cakes. Clothes rationing began in June 1941 and a new kind of clothing, utility clothing, was introduced, using cheap materials and the minimum amount of cloth. Clothes rationing began in June 1941 and a new kind of clothing, utility clothing, was introduced, using cheap materials and the minimum amount of cloth. The points system ended in Rationing continued in the U.S for 14 years until 1954, when meat was finally de-rationed. The points system ended in Rationing continued in the U.S for 14 years until 1954, when meat was finally de-rationed.

Women During War Women During War Women played a very important role during WWII. Women played a very important role during WWII. Some worked as nurses, in the navy, pilots, and in the marines. Some worked as nurses, in the navy, pilots, and in the marines. Nurses received 1,619 medals during the war. 16 medals were awarded to nurses who died as a result of enemy fire. 16 women also even received the Purple Heart. Nurses received 1,619 medals during the war. 16 medals were awarded to nurses who died as a result of enemy fire. 16 women also even received the Purple Heart.

Questions How did the kids help out during the war? How did the kids help out during the war? - The kids would go to dump grounds and get metal scraps for money or they would recycle metal pop cans or anything that they used with metal.  What were some jobs that the women had? - They mainly worked as nurses in the war, journalists, factory workers, photographers, and cooks. *If you had a choice of joining the war back then would you of??

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