THE HOME FRONT Main Idea: After World War II, Americans adjusted to new economic opportunities and harsh social tensions.

HOW DID THE WAR AND ITS IMMEDIATE AFTERMATH AFFECT THE FOLLOWING? Labor, Agriculture, Population Centers, Family Life, and Returning GIs, Citizens?

LABOR Unemployment fell (to 1.2%) Average weekly paychecks rose (10%) Women entered the workforce in record numbers (35% of women now earning wages) Forced out after the war (more than a third were employed in war ordnance factories and transportation) Women & minorities offered better pay (Great Migration from South increases, and 700,000 African Americans migrate north and west)

AGRICULTURE Growing conditions, farm machinery and fertilizers improved Crop prices, crop production (50%), and farm income tripled Farmers were finally able to pay off mortgages

Population Centers Population of cities and states with military bases and defense industries increased 1 million arrive in California between ‘41 and ‘44). Some defense towns doubled or even tripled their population during these years. By 1943, L.A.’s population reaches 3.5 million and represents 17% of all of America’s war production

Family Life Number of women juggling work and family increases dramatically (with very few two-parent families left, children often at a loose end, juvenile delinquency increases subtly) Marriage rate increased (war brides). Seattle saw a 300% increase in weddings between ‘42 and ‘43

Returning GI’s GI Bill of Rights (Servicemen’s Readjustment Act) increased standard of living Provided free education and job training Provided federal loan guarantees for homes, farms, and businesses

Harsh Social Tension and Racial Discrimination

AFRICAN AMERICANS Defended their nation by joining the military (over 1 million) and working in defense industries (skilled employment rose from 16% to 30%) Founded CORE-Congress of Racial Equality founded by James Farmer with a diverse membership -Staged sit-ins and held conferences to improve race relations Race Riots (1943) – Detroit (25 blacks and 9 whites die in violent clashes)

MEXICAN AMERICANS Defended their nation by joining the military (500,000) Zoot Suit Rebellion: youth culture Zoot Suit Riot, Los Angeles, Summer 1943: 11 white sailors claim they were attacked by zoot suit – wearing Mexican Americans. Ignited rage that sent thousands of servicemen and civilians into the streets where numerous Mexican Americans were violently beaten Violence lasted for a week during which Mexican Americans and other minorities were attacked throughout the city

JAPANESE AMERICANS Defended their nation by joining the military (25,000) Fought against relocation and internment (Korematsu v. United States) Japanese Americans Citizens League (JACL) sought compensation for those forced into internment camps