American Home Front

during World War II

1. Americans Support the War at Home

• FDR knew the war would be difficult for the Allies

• Needed help from people at home to win

• US government expected people to make sacrifices

• Propaganda was a way to encourage people to participate in different ways

• Propaganda: Something designed to get people to think or act a certain way

• Rationing, recycling, war bonds, victory gardens, going to work

• People of all ages felt proud that they could help win the war

2. Rationing

• Rationing – using as little as possible of something

• Americans were limited on buying certain items (meat, sugar, gas, etc.)

• Issued ration books with stamps to use when buying things - $ too

• This allowed the US government to save needed items for the soldiers fighting

Ration Stamps

3. Victory Gardens

• Also wanted a way to save food for the soldiers fighting overseas

• People were encouraged to plant gardens – “Victory Gardens”

• Vegetables, Potatoes, Beans, etc.• Buy less from the stores – farmers

send more food overseas

• People eat their own produce• Larger gardens could donate food

4. Recycling Drives

• Items were needed to help make machines, clothing, equip, etc.

• Airplanes, ships, trucks, uniforms, jackets, etc.

• Items: tin, rubber, rags, paper, garden hoses, metal, etc.

• This was an opportunity for young kids to help too

• Everybody was expected to help – age did not matter

Recycling Posters

5. Bonds/Stamps

• Government needed money to pay for the war

• War bonds – basically a loan to the government

• Varying values for both – cents to dollars

• Bonds increase in value over time• Can be traded in later for $ return• Government used celebrities to

get people to buy more bonds

• Raised hundreds of millions

War Bonds and Stamps

6. Women Join the Workforce - again

• Millions of men left to join the military – some women too

• Women were needed to fill jobs• Known as “Rosie the Riveters”• Worked in factories making tanks,

planes, ships, uniforms, etc. – heavy industry

• Previously these jobs were not available to women and African-Americans

• Now they were desperately needed• Many fired after the war – make room

for soldiers returning home• Many looked to stay in the work force rather

than return to the “life at home”

Rosie the Riveter