1. American Homefront

2. Aiding in the War Effort
Congress passed Neutrality Acts which made it illegal to sell or lend money to nations at war – trying to remain isolated
Cash and Carry – Britain can pay cash and pick up supplies at American ports
Lend Lease – allowed US to lend or lease arms to any country considered vital to defense of US – returned or pay rent for supplies
Hemispheric Defense Zone – declared Western half of Atlantic was Western Hemisphere and thus neutral
US Navy would patrol and reveal location of German subs to Britain
Atlantic Charter – Signed by US and Britain – committed both nations to a postwar world of democracy, non-aggression, free trade, and freedom of the seas

3. American Mobilization
War production turned the tide in favor of the Allies
Auto industry began producing military equipment
Liberty ships – quickly built cargo ships that sacrificed quality for quantity
Ship could be built in 41 days
Selective Service and Training Act – needed to build up troops so initiated a draft before we were actually at war

4. Segregated Army Double V Campaign Tuskegee Airmen Japanese Americans
Urged African Americans to support the war to achieve a double victory over racism abroad and racism at home
Tuskegee Airmen
Pilots trained in Tuskegee, Al who helped with the Battle at Anzio
Also protected American bombers as they flew to targets
Japanese Americans
½ had been in internment camps
442nd Infantry became most decorated in history of US military
African Americans served in war but were in segregated units
Not one received a Medal Honor until 50 years later
Truman fully integrated the military in 1948

5. Women and Minorities Women were pilots and nurses during war
Women went to work in factories – Rosie the Riveter
Paid significantly less than men
Executive Order 8802 – Roosevelt outlawed discrimination in the employment of workers in defense industry
Bracero Program – arranged for Mexican farm workers to help with the harvest in the Southwest
Migrant workers became important part of Southwest’s agricultural system

6. Zoot Suit Riots
Zoot suit – baggy, pleated pants and overstuffed knee-length jacket and wide brimmed hat – many juveniles wore them
Considered Unpatriotic and extravagant
Soldiers had heard a rumor that zoot-suitors had attacked Sailors
US soldiers and sailors attacked Mexican American neighborhoods in LA
Police did not intervene
One example of the racial tension at home

7. Paying for the War 1) Increased taxes
2) War Bonds – citizens by bond to lend money to war – they would get money back plus interest at a future date
E bonds – buy for $18.75 and after 10 years you could redeem for $25

8. Rationing Meats, sugars, and gasoline were rationed
Blue Points – ration book that controlled processed foods
Red Points – ration book that controlled meats, fats, and oils
Victory Gardens – plant own garden in backyard, school, park, etc.

9. WWII Ends V E Day – May 8, 1945 V J Day – August 15, 1945
United Nations was created to prevent another war
UN would consist of a General Assembly – each country would get a vote on how to handle issue
Responsible for maintaining peace and security
Investigate international problems and propose settlements
5 Permanent members would have veto power:
Great Britain
France
USA
USSR (Soviet Union)
China

10. Nuremburg Trials
International Military Tribunal created to hold trials for war crimes
22 leaders of Nazi Germany were prosecuted at Nuremburg Trials
3 acquitted
7 prison sentences
12 sentenced to death
Trials also held in Tokyo, Japan
18 sentenced to prison
7 sentenced to death
Side note: Erwin Rommel was forced to commit suicide after he was named in a conspiracy to get rid of Hitler…Valkyrie