The US in WWII

Dec. 7, 1941:

Japan attacked Pearl Harbor.

How ready were we to respond?

Preparedness:

• Since WWI:– Isolationist– The Great Depression

• Unemployment down, but when programs were cut in 1937, went up.

• Programs had to be restored. (WPA)

– Attack on Pearl Harbor • Wiped out the Pacific Fleet

– Unified Americans– Created Anti-Japanese feeling, esp. on West Coast

Mobilization

• How will the US convince businesses to retool for war equipment?– Huge expense!

• What sacrifices will civilians be willing to make?• How will the US put together both a military force

(enough to fight two fronts at once) and build a navy, tanks, planes… fast?– Is there enough manpower for both??

Selective Service

• 5 million rushed to enlist– Conscription still needed

• 8 weeks basic training

• Work force needs demanded more:– WAAC created to supplement

• Driving, pilots, nurses, radio ops, clerical work• Women get official status, salary; no benefits

Minorities:

• Blacks had no equal rights in the US– Were drafted in large #s

• Chinese Exclusion Act barred immigration– Chinese already here had no rights– But enlisted, served

• Chinese Exclusion Act repealed 1943

• Japanese enlisted (not allowed until after 1943)• Native Americans & Mexican Americans enlisted

in large numbers

Production

• Auto production stopped 1942– Converted to tanks, boats, planes , command cars

• Shipyards, defense plants grew, multiplied• 18 million workers filled jobs

– More than 6 mill women– In defense plants, women, minorities faced prejudice

• Many refused to hire African Americans, except for janitorial work

– A. Philip Randolph organized march on Washington

– FDR issued executive order for equal hiring

» Randolph cancelled the march

Science

• Office of Scientific Research & Development– Improved radar and sonar– Developed miracle drugs (penicillin)– Atomic Bomb

• Learning that Germany was splitting Uranium Atoms-– OSRD set up Manhattan Project at Columbia

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Government Control

• Danger of inflation– Supplies of consumer goods declined– Demand increased

• OPA (Office of Price Control) froze prices, wages• Rationing: coupon books issued for scarce goods

– Shortages existed on rubber goods, meat, shoes, sugar, coffee, gas

• Congress raised, extended income tax– Encouraged buying war bonds

• Result: inflation stayed below 30%

• WPB War Production Board – Decided which plants built which products, got them the raw

materials– Launched nationwide drives for scrap metals, paper, rags,

cooking fat