Lesson 32 Effects of World War II on the US

Growth of Federal Power The US government grew even more during World War II than it had during the depression.  Government regulation of the economy War production Rationing  Government Spending $8.9 billon $95.2 billion The US would spend $341 billion on the war  Taxes paid only 30% of the cost  Deficit spending  War bonds – $185 billion

The Homefront War Production Board  auto industry  Jobs  Women  “Rosie the Riveter” National War Labor Board – 1942 Fair Employment Practices Committee  African-Americans  Hispanics – bracero program

Suspension of Civil Liberties Japanese Interment Camps  120,000 people  70,000 US citizens  30,000 served in the military Selective Service Act of 1940  Banned racial discrimination in recruitment and training.  Military units were still segregated.  1 million blacks served overseas “Red Ball Express”

Transition to Peacetime GI Bill of Rights – 1944  Low-interest loans  Education tuition assistance 50% of Veterans

Post-war Booms Housing  Levittowns suburbs Baby Boom   30 million Americans born