The United States in WW2: Mobilizing for Defense Chapter 17, Section 1 Notes

Objectives: Explain how the US expanded its armed forces in WW2 Describe the wartime mobilization of industry, labor, scientists, and the media Trace the efforts of the US govt. to control the economy and deal with subversion

Americans Join the War Effort After Pearl Harbor, Americans jammed recruiting offices Remember Pearl Harbor! 5 million volunteers Selective Service System Expanded the draft 10 million more soldiers to meet demand Eight weeks of training

Expanding the Military Women’s Auxiliary Army Corps (WAAC) Created by Army Chief of Staff General George Marshall Women volunteers serve in non-combat positions Nurses, ambulance drivers, radio operators, electricians, and pilots 350,000 women served

Diversity in the Armed Forces Despite racial tension, minorities made dramatic contributions to the armed forces Mexican-Americans, African-Americans, Asian-Americans, and Native Americans 1 million African Americans served Served in segregated units and limited to noncombat roles until 1943

A Production Miracle Automobile plants were retooled to produce tanks, planes, boats, and command cars. End of private automobile production Factories were quickly converted to war production Production occurred at record breaking speeds Henry Kaiser produced Liberty ships in 40 days Using “prefab” parts

The Building of Liberty Ships

Labor’s Contribution Despite the draft, nearly 18 million workers were laboring in war industries 6 million of these workers were women Earned less and could operate machines “Rosie the Riveter” campaign Encourage women to join workforce

Labor’s Contribution Defense plants also hired minorities Faced strong prejudice at first African-American Labor Leader A. Philip Randolph proposed a march on Washington to fight discrimination FDR issued an executive order calling on employers to hire without discrimination

Mobilization of Scientists FDR created the Office of Scientific Research and Development (OSRD) To bring scientists into the war effort Improvements in radar and sonar Miracle Drugs like penicillin Secret development of the atomic bomb The Manhattan Project – code name

Economic Controls FDR created the Office of Price Admin. Fought inflation by freezing prices Raised the income tax Up to 88% in the highest bracket! War Production Board Convert industries Allocated raw materials Organized drives to collect scrap iron, tin cans, and paper to recycle into war goods

Rationing Rationing – establishing fixed allotments of goods deemed essential for the military Homes received ration books with coupons to buy goods Meat, shoes, sugar, coffee, and gas Americans accepted rationing as their personal contribution to the war effort Workers carpooled or rode bicycles

Check For Understanding Preparation for War,