WWII - The War At Home (Lesson)
The War at Home
In the wake of the attack on Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, and the subsequent declaration of war, Americans were asked to take on numerous and varied roles to support the war effort at home. If you were alive during World War II what different roles would you partake in?
War Production Board
Perhaps the greatest strength of the American effort during World War II lay in its efforts to outproduce its opponents. Central to production during the war effort was the War Production Board. The board was responsible for establishing the needs for the war, allocating the resources and organizing the production and distribution of supplies. One of the board’s first tasks was to transition factories from commercial peacetime production to military production for the war effort. Firework factories now produced ammunition; appliance factories now produced guns; and automobile factories began to produce tanks and planes. With the necessary resources, American work effort and the benefits of established assembly line factories, the United States was able to provide for Allies and then for ourselves during the war.
Rationing
The concept of reduce, reuse and recycle is not new. These similar strategies were used during war time to provide necessities for those fighting abroad. In the United States, citizens were encouraged to reduce their use of some items. Women gave up silk pantyhose and garments to provide that material for parachutes. Children were tasked with collecting tin cans and glass bottles for recycling. The glass items could be used to make plane windows, the tin cans could be used for soldiers’ rations. Rationing was another method for conservation. Families and individuals were given coupons or stamps to provide for their allotment of certain materials. Americans could use the coupons or stamps like they used money in peacetime. Gasoline, meat and sugar were just some of the goods rationed. Communities came together to encourage days such as “Meatless Mondays” to conserve. “Victory Gardens” were grown by families and communities so as to not disrupt the flow of vegetables to soldiers abroad.
The Role of Women
The role of women during World War II proved to be vital. As in World War I, their efforts help win the war for the United States and the Allied Powers. Encouraged by motivational posters, radio communications and other materials, women joined the workforce and volunteer organizations to help. Some women served directly in the military as nurses or clerical workers. Some women joined military auxilliary programs such as the WASPS or WAVES to help train (this included flying planes that would drag targets behind for live target practice!) Women also served as spies and gained information from our enemies. Women made the biggest impact in the workforce at home. Infamously portrayed by the fictionalized “Rosie the Riveter,” millions of women were at the forefront of production for the war effort, supplying our forces and defeating the Axis Powers.
Role of Minorities
Minority groups took on numerous roles during World War II and served in nearly every capacity available to them at home and abroad. They worked in the factories, rationed for the war effort and enlisted in service World War II; minority groups united in the war effort with a common goal: victory.
African-Americans served in all military branches throughout the war despite continued segregation in the military. African Americans served in both theaters of the war; and although they faced discrimination, remained diligent and served valiantly. The famous Tuskegee Airmen served as fighter pilots and bomber escorts in Europe and distinguished themselves since they never lost a bomber throughout the remainder of the war. Heroically, Dorie Miller, was a cook in the United States Navy who took control of a ship's gun and fought off Japanese planes during the attack on Pearl Harbor. His actions earned him the United States Navy’s highest honor, the Navy Cross, making him the first African American to earn such an honor. Native Americans served the country in the war too. The Navajo “Windtalkers” are the most well-known Native American group who served in the Pacific. The Windtalkers used their native language as code, and these heroes served with honor and pride in the Pacific Theater and never had a code deciphered.
Asian Americans faced a new discrimination on the heels of the attack on Pearl Harbor. Japanese Americans were indiscriminately relocated during the period following Pearl Harbor to internment camps, but some Asian Americans were allowed to fight for the United States. Pledging allegiance and serving in Europe out of fear of sabotage, many of these men served in the 442nd Infantry Regiment and became one of the most heavily wounded regiments during the war (and they were also the most awarded for their bravery and service).