14:1 converting to a war economy – american productivity astounds the world twice as productive as...
TRANSCRIPT
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• Converting to a War Economy– American productivity astounds the world• Twice as productive as German workers• Five times more productive than Japanese workers • Stalin: “American production won the war”
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• Cost-Plus contracts– Gov’t paid companies for cost of product– Also guaranteed a profit – Faster production = more profits
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• Auto Industry– Begins making large trucks and jeeps– Also built artillery, rifles, mines– Willow Run (suburban Detroit)• Makes B-24 bomber
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• War Production Board– Set priorities and production goals– Distributed raw materials
• Office of War Mobilization– Settle arguments between different agencies
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• Creating an Army– First peacetime draft in American history – 60,000 men enlisted one month after Pearl Harbor– At first Army was segregated • African-Americans not given combat roles
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• Minorities and the War Effort– “Double V” Campaign• Victory over Hitler’s racism and racism at home
– Tuskegee Airmen• Air Force all African-American unit
– 1/3 of all Native-American men served
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• Women and the War Effort– WAACS• Women’s Army Auxiliary Corp• Many did not like being “auxiliary”
– WACS• Women’s Army Corp• Mostly clerical work• Oveta Culp Hobby, leader