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… still – that was not enough to fight a global 2 front war … Q#1 - Selective Service System Expanded the draft Provided 10 million more soldiers to meet demand along with training.

Expanding the Military Q#2 - Women’s Auxiliary Army Corps (WAAC) Created by Army Chief of Staff General George Marshall (HW – part B) Women volunteers served in non- combat positions for pay & benefits. Nurses, ambulance drivers, radio operators, electricians, and pilots 350,000 women served (male & female forces weren’t joined officially til 1978)

Diversity in the Armed Forces Q#3 -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 Tusc. Airmen

A Production Miracle Q#4 - Automobile plants were retooled to produce tanks, planes, boats, and command cars. End of private automobile production Factories were quickly converted to war production which occurred at record breaking speeds Henry Kaiser produced Liberty ships (Huge cargo carriers) in 4 days By 1944 nearly 18 million workers were laboring in war industries – 3 times as many as in 1941.

The Building of Liberty Ships

Labor’s Contribution Defense plants also hired minorities who faced strong prejudice at first… Q#5 - African-American Labor Leader A. Philip Randolph proposed a march on Washington to fight discrimination that led to FDR issueing an executive order calling on employers to hire without discrimination.

Mobilization of Scientists Q#6 - FDR also created the Office of Scientific Research and Development (OSRD) to bring scientists into the war effort. Improvements were made in radar and sonar; miracle Drugs like penicillin were mass produced; Most significant achievement was the secret development of the atomic bomb (splitting uranium atom to produce enormous energy). Despite concerns (Einstein & others) we moved ahead to develop the atomic bomb. The Manhattan Project – code name

Economic Controls Q#8 - FDR created the Office of Price Admin. To fight inflation by freezing prices; Raised the income tax up to 88% in the highest bracket! Done to reduce consumer demand on scarce goods; Americans were urged to spend any extra $$ on war bonds to finance the war effort. Q#9 -War Production Board Converted peace time industries to war time industries. Allocated raw materials Organized drives to collect scrap iron, tin cans, and paper to recycle into war goods

Rationing Q#10 -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,