The Homefront

FDR Utilizes Propaganda

Fighting for the Four FreedomsFreedom of SpeechFreedom of WorshipFreedom from WantFreedom from Fear

OCD: Office of Civilian Defense

FDR: “Contribute an hour a day for the USA.” Volunteer air raid wardens

Blackouts enforced to conserve energy

“Spy the Sky” You never know when the enemy might attack

Grow a “Victory Garden” 40% of vegetables produced during the war were grown by

citizens, in their personal gardens

Recycle, reuse Patriotic to contribute newspaper, rubber, aluminum, tin, etc.

OWI: Office of War Information

Coordinated war news from federal bureaucracy Newspapers, radio & movies used to inform all Americans of

progress & policies Government enlists the help of Hollywood & Celebes

Warner Brothers: Army Air Force First Motion Picture Unit Training videos Recruiting propaganda (Jimmy Stewart) Roles of Civilians

“Pinups” Betty Grable & Rita Hayworth

Bob Hope organizes the USO (United Service Org.)

to entertain the troops!

An Economic Shift

Relief and Recovery achievedGNP: $90.5 Billion (‘39) to $212 Billion (’45)17 million jobs created

Overtime available to whomever wanted it New workers needed

Female employment raises from 25% to 34% Total of 6 million

Rosie the Riveter Many wanted to continue to work, forced to leave!

WPB: War Productions Board

December 7, 1941 15% of Industry devoted to war production

WPB Goal Convince industry to switch from civilian to military production Out with consumer goods, in with products of war Need: 300,000 planes, 86,000 tanks, 76,000 ships, 2.6 million

machine guns, 40 billion bullets

Success New plant constructed with government help Merchant ships: 105 days to construct (’41) to 14 days (’45) Some plants ordered to slow down!

Economic Problems Persist

Full employment spurs consumerism Better wages creates increase demand

25% hourly wage increase 70% weekly salary increase

Short supply of consumer goods leads to price increase for “luxury” items

Inflation not far behind NWLB: National War Labor Board

Purpose: control rapid inflation (15% in 3 yrs) CPI (consumer price index) indicates wages and price

rose in conjunction with one another.

OPA: Office of Price Administration

Goal: reduce demand Procedure

Set price ceilings (maximums) Institute rationing system

Coupons needed to purchase food, gas, shoes, etc First national speed limit created (gas & rubber)

Determined by size of the family, occupation, etc Most families, 4 gallons of gas a week

Violations: 10 years in prison, $10,000 fine Black market created

Paying for the War

Estimated $321 Billion to fight the war Only 40% generate from taxes

1942 – Revenue Act establishes federal income tax 1913 – first federal income tax law written For the first time, individuals and corporations mandated to pay tax

on the money they made the previous year. 1943 – Employers offer payroll deduction as option

Liberty Bonds sold again Generate 60% of war budget Hollywood recruited once again Stamp collections

Kids encouraged to help ($18.75 investment, 10 years later $25)