The Chicago HomefrontThe Chicago HomefrontHistory of ChicagoHistory of Chicago

Bell RingerBell Ringer

What is this WWII What is this WWII poster trying to say to poster trying to say to people?people?

How do you think How do you think rationing gives you rationing gives you your fair share?your fair share?

Do you think this type Do you think this type of sacrifice is needed of sacrifice is needed in a war? Why or why in a war? Why or why not?not?

The HomefrontThe Homefront What is the homefront?What is the homefront?

The civilian population and The civilian population and their activities during a war.their activities during a war.

Civilian populationCivilian population People at home (women, People at home (women,

children, elderly, and children, elderly, and some men).some men).

ActivitiesActivities RationingRationing Changing roles of womenChanging roles of women VolunteeringVolunteering Civilian SupportCivilian Support

The homefront can be The homefront can be considered part of a “total considered part of a “total war”.war”.

A Total WarA Total War

What is a total war?What is a total war? The mobilization of all The mobilization of all

available resources for a available resources for a war effort in order to win a war effort in order to win a war.war.

Resources?Resources? HumanHuman IndustrialIndustrial AgriculturalAgricultural

Why did people at home Why did people at home want to join the war effort?want to join the war effort? Pearl HarborPearl Harbor Their duty to their country Their duty to their country

The Switch to a War EconomyThe Switch to a War Economy Examine this WWII posterExamine this WWII poster

What does attack on all What does attack on all fronts mean?fronts mean?

The three people represent The three people represent who in the war effort?who in the war effort?

The whole economy The whole economy shifted towards the war shifted towards the war effort.effort. Tanks instead of carsTanks instead of cars Bombs and weapons Bombs and weapons

instead of appliancesinstead of appliances So who “powered” this So who “powered” this

war economy?war economy? Women, the elderly, and Women, the elderly, and

men that were not drafted. men that were not drafted.

The Conservation Effort: A SacrificeThe Conservation Effort: A Sacrifice

An effort of the homefront to An effort of the homefront to save materials for the soldiers save materials for the soldiers at war.at war. ScrapScrap FoodFood Gas/OilGas/Oil

How did the homefront achieve How did the homefront achieve this?this? ““Victory Gardens”Victory Gardens” Scrap Metal DrivesScrap Metal Drives Carpool ClubsCarpool Clubs RationingRationing

Children participated in the Children participated in the conservation effort to help the conservation effort to help the homefront.homefront.

RationingRationing Controlled distribution of Controlled distribution of

scarce resourcesscarce resources FoodFood Oil/GasolineOil/Gasoline ClothesClothes RubberRubber

Ration BooksRation Books Each family was allowed only Each family was allowed only

a specific amount of food per a specific amount of food per week.week.

The stamps in these ration The stamps in these ration books ensured that each books ensured that each American was getting a fair American was getting a fair share.share.

In June 1941, each adult was In June 1941, each adult was rationed 66 points/year. By rationed 66 points/year. By Spring of 1942, each adult was Spring of 1942, each adult was rationed only 48.rationed only 48.

Rationing SimulationRationing Simulation You are now living an You are now living an

adult living during WW2.adult living during WW2. Your TaskYour Task

What clothes would you What clothes would you buy with 66 points?buy with 66 points?

What clothes would you What clothes would you buy with 48 points?buy with 48 points?

Which items are the most Which items are the most important? important?

Which items are the least Which items are the least important?important?

What are the factors that What are the factors that determine your choices in determine your choices in clothes?clothes?

Remember these Remember these clothes have to last you clothes have to last you the whole yearthe whole year