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The American Home Front

Explore the impact of WWII on America's home front, from the government's significant growth and financial burdens to societal changes like increased patriotism and women entering the workforce. Discover how individuals and communities coped with rationing, racial tensions, and the challenges of wartime life.

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The American Home Front

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  1. The American Home Front

  2. The Home Front • Government • 10 times the cost of WWI • $250 Million per day • Money had to be borrowed • 1941 debt: $48 billion • 1945 debt: $247 billion • Revenue Act 1942 • Withholding taxes • Tax rates went up for everyone

  3. Government • Growth of government • Large amount of individuals working in the federal government • WPB • OPA • Office of Censorship • Government paid, people worked • Average wages doubled during the war • Unemployment hardly existed

  4. War Productions Board • conversion of econ. From civilian to military • Auto industry • Chrysler = tanks, Ford = Jeeps and planes • Boeing • US = more military goods than Germany, Italy and Japan combined

  5. Office of Price Administration • Rationing • Rationing Books • price controls • Slogan: “Use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without.” • Speed Limit – 35 mph

  6. Office of Censorship • Promote patriotism and influence public opinion • Examined letters • Casualty figures • Photo’s of American dead prohibited • Encourage publication of Japanese atrocities vs. U.S. soldiers

  7. Patriotism • 1941 - 1.6 million armed forces • 1945 – 15 million men, 350,000 women • Buying war bonds • Volunteering • Air-raid wardens • Collection drives

  8. Women • 6 million women entered the work force for the first time • 33% of workforce by 1945 • Women were still married and responsible for traditional roles • Women tended to make less than men

  9. Families • Marriages and birthrates increased • Divorces Increased • 1940: 16 divorces per 100 marriages • 1944: 27 divorces per 100 marriages • High School enrollment dropped • Juvenile delinquency increased

  10. Race • Indians • Navajo Code Talkers • 25,000 served in the military • Others left to work in industries

  11. Race • African-Americans • One million - segregated units • Tuskegee Airmen • 700,000 African-Americans left the South • Average wages increased - $457 - $1976 Racial Tension/Riots • Detroit – numerous blacks and whites were killed

  12. Race • Hispanics • Bracero program • Farm laborers • Not enough workers in America willing to work in farming • Illegal immigration encouraged • Zoot Suit Riots of LA

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