Mobilizing for the War

1. Mobilizing for the War • George C Marshall (Army Chief of Staff) • Leader of the Mobilization Efforts • Military draft was reinstated in 1940 • Many men did not wait and enlisted • Some 16 million Americans entered the armed forces. • 15 million Americans – GI’s (government issued) • Women joined in military Service • Not allowed to fight in combat; did other service, like clerical duties • WAC, WAVES…. Etc. • U.S. established many new military bases to support training of new troops.

2. Mexican-American Soldiers • Roughly 300,000 served during WWII, mainly in the army • Helped defend the Philippines (prior to the Bataan Death March) • Helped allied forces in North Africa • Took part in D-Day

3. African American Soldiers • Nearly 1 million served during WWII • Initially filled support roles (cooks, etc), but eventually put into combat • Also served in segregated units until the military experienced so many casualties in Europe; then, they were integrated • The “Black Eagles” • Famous unit in the air force that played a pivotal role in Italy

4. Japanese American Soldiers • Not allowed to serve in the military until 1943 • Then, some 17,000 joined the U.S. armed forces. • Most were born in the U.S. whose parents were Japanese immigrants = “Nisei” • Fought in segregated units • One unit won so many medals because of their bravery, it became one of the most decorated in American history.

5. Native American Soldiers • 25,000 served in the American military in WWII • The marines recruited around 300 to serve as radio operators. • They developed a code that Japan couldn’t break.; hence, the Navajo “code talkers” • NATIVE AMERICANS • 25,000 served in the army • 300 Navajos –radio operators (code based on their language the Japanese could not break) • This played a vital role in the battles of the Pacific (Philippines, Guadalcanal, Iwo Jima, etc.).

6. MOBILIZING FOR WAR • 1941- FDR created the OPA – office of price administration • Job – to keep shortages from causing inflation • The Office of Price Administration placed limits on the prices businesses could charge for products and materials. • 1942 -WPB(War Production Board) conversion of industries to war goods • The War Production Board made sure the military got the products and resources it needed. • Government spending during the war rose sharply. Most of the money went to the armed forces.

7. Financing the War • The government increased income tax rates to help pay for the war. Millions paid income taxes for the very first time. • 1942 – war bonds • Government borrowed money – creating a huge national debt

8. Mobilizing Industry • Rosie the Riveter • Women filled the jobs created by shortage in male labor and the increase in wartime production. • Labor in WWII • FDR passed the NWLB to help settle labor disputes • Mobilizing Science • Manhattan project in Los Alamos – top secret program to build an atomic bomb • J. Robert Oppenheimer – leader of this project

9. American Support for the War • Roosevelt called on the nation to protect the “four freedoms” – freedom of speech, freedom of worship, freedom from want, and freedom from fear. • The Office of War Information spread propaganda, or information and ideas designed to promote a cause. Examples included posters encouraging people to join the armed forces or to save gasoline. The OWI also warned the public about the dangers they faced. • Hollywood made a series of patriotic films that featured soldiers and workers on the home front. • Sometimes the drive to influence public attitudes led to conflict. For example, the Barnette ruling argued that Americans could not be forced to salute the flag.

10. Conserving food and other goods • Americans planted victory gardens. • The United States began rationing food items such as coffee, butter, sugar, and meat. • Metal, glass, rubber, and gasoline were scarce goods. • Americans held scrap drives to collect waste materials that might be used in the war effort. • Investing in Victory • Americans bought millions of dollars worth of war bonds. • Over half of the population did their civic duty and bought war bonds. • Paying the personal price • Families dealt with the absence of loved ones by displaying a flag with a blue star. • Americans read news accounts of the war with great interest (Ernie Pyle – newspaper journalist).

11. American Support for the War • Roosevelt called on the nation to protect the “four freedoms” – freedom of speech, freedom of worship, freedom from want, and freedom from fear. • The Office of War Information spread propaganda, or information and ideas designed to promote a cause. Examples included posters encouraging people to join the armed forces or to save gasoline. The OWI also warned the public about the dangers they faced.

12. Japanese American Internment • Executive Order 9066 • After Pearl Harbor, military officials began to investigate the Japanese American community for signs of spying o other illegal activity. • Order 9066 established military zones and could force people to leave these zones. • Japanese Americans in California, Washington, Oregon, and Arizona were forced into internment camps. • Many lost their homes and businesses.

13. Korematsu v. United States (1944) • The Supreme Court tried to find the right balance between the rights of Japanese Americans and wartime needs. • Fred Korematsu refused the executive order that relocated 110,000 Japanese Americans to internment camps. • Korematsu was born in Oakland, California, and was an American citizen. • He was arrested and then appealed his case to the Supreme Court. • The Supreme Court ruled against Korematsu stating that the relocation order was justified as a temporary wartime measure. • He continued to work for civil rights and had his conviction overturned in 1983.

14. Challenges after the War • United Nations • Representatives from 50 countries met to form a new organization, the United Nations. • The UN was meant to encourage cooperation among nations and to prevent wars. • Potsdam Conference • Allied leaders met in the German city of Potsdam to discuss the spread of communism and Soviet influence in the postwar world. • Truman hoped to get Stalin to live up to his promises from Yalta. • Stalin did not do this. • Rebuilding • MacArthur led efforts to help Japan rebuild its government and economy. • Seven Japanese leaders were tried for war crimes. • Rebuilding Europe caused tensions between the U.S and the Soviet Union.

15. Actions of Hitler Munich Non-Aggression Pact Poland Maginot Line Battle of Britain