WWII The Homefront Just like in WWI people

WWII: The Home-front Just like in WWI, people at home were involved in the war effort. In WWII, however, the involvement and impact on their lives was even greater.

Rationing • Many items were rationed during WWII due to massive worldwide shortages • The priority was to make sure soldiers were well-stocked first • You couldn’t buy as much as you wanted of certain items • The government issued ration books and various stickers to regulate buying

Rationed Goods in the USA During the Second World War A wide variety of commodities were rationed during World War II in the United States. Rationing ended when supplies were sufficient to meet demand. • • • • Rationed Items Tires Cars Bicycles Gasoline Fuel Oil & Kerosene Solid Fuels Stoves Rubber Footwear Shoes Sugar Coffee Processed Foods Meats, canned fish Cheese, canned milk, fats Typewriters

• A = 4 gallons of fuel/week • B = 8 gallons/week (for driving essential to the war effort • T= unlimited fuel for truckers carrying supplies • X= Congressmen and other VIPs

Victory Gardens • People were encouraged to grow their own food • They wouldn’t have to buy this product at the store, which helped conserve supplies • They also felt like they were contributing to the war effort

War bonds • Just like the Liberty Bonds from WWI, people were encouraged to buy war bonds in WWII to help fund the war effort • This was the way to “do your part” without actually fighting overseas • It’s basically loaning the US government money, which could be done in small or large amounts

The Workforce • Many men went off to war, leaving jobs behind • More and more jobs were created because of greatly increased war production • Women stepped in to fill in where needed, often taking jobs in factories that were creating ships, planes, and weapons • Unlike after WWI, after WWII ended, more women either stayed in the workforce or their daughters returned to the workforce, carrying on their mothers’ legacies • Often, women saved the money they earned during the war and this money helped with the post-war boom after the men returned from the war

Propaganda • US Propaganda was mostly likely to be anti. Japanese (and very racist in it portrayal of Japanese people) but was also anti-Nazi • Used to remind people to be careful about what they said, especially in letters to their soldiers… loose lips sink ships! • Used to encourage home-front efforts like buying war bonds