the wartime homefront

The Wartime Homefront

Mobilization America was mobilized as never before. Factories turning out munitions and materials at a

rate to boggle the mind. Rationing and shortages were common

Benefits of being American

Americans enjoyed immunity from foreign attack (minus Pearl Harbor).

Americans did have to make a great sacrifice America experienced various sacrifice based on their

gender and race.

Women in the workplace They were filling male roles not sewing buttons or

baking, but they were riveting, operating a drill press and welding air planes!

Pay wages: Males 54$ per week, women 32$ per week

Married women more likely to remain at home. Planted victory gardens, led recycling efforts

Behind the numbers

The household economy during WWII

Inflation was up 30% Wages grew 2x as much as inflation for males What could you buy? Amenities were out of the

question? Consumer goods? Consumption up 12%, more people buying those

items that were not rationed, such as entertainment.

Conditions for African Americans

Double V Campaign—America forced with Holocaust to confront its own racial identity

Roosevelt declared that African Americans were In the war “not only to defend America but…to establish a universal freedom under which a new basis of security and prosperity can be established for all regardless of race, or creed”.

Victory over: enemies at home and abroad.

Discrimination in Defense Production

A. Phillip Randoph, promised a march of 100,000 on Washington if FDR didn’t end discrimination in defense industries.

Roosevelt responded with Executive Order 8802-authorized a committee on Fair Employment. Discrimination in “skilled” trades continued.

Progress was slow as 9/10 of African Americans were below the poverty line. They paid 39% of what white workers were paid.

Feelings boil over Race riots in 1943 strike 47 cities with 242 separate

incidents. A virtual race war broke out in Chicago and Detroit.

Detroit saw 34 deaths in 2 days

Success?

Success during the period was small.

People focused on war NAACP Foundation of Congress of

Racial Equality The lines being drawn for a

future struggle in this area.