american home front during world war ii. 1. americans support the war at home fdr knew the war would...

American Home Front

during World War II

1. Americans Support the War at Home

• FDR knew the war would be difficult for the Allies

• Needed help from people at home to win

• US government expected people to make sacrifices

• Propaganda was a way to encourage people to participate in different ways

• Propaganda: Something designed to get people to think or act a certain way

• Rationing, recycling, war bonds, victory gardens, going to work

• People of all ages felt proud that they could help win the war

2. Rationing

• Rationing – using as little as possible of something

• Americans were limited on buying certain items (meat, sugar, gas, etc.)

• Issued ration books with stamps to use when buying things - $ too

• This allowed the US government to save needed items for the soldiers fighting

Ration Stamps

3. Victory Gardens

• Also wanted a way to save food for the soldiers fighting overseas

• People were encouraged to plant gardens – “Victory Gardens”

• Vegetables, Potatoes, Beans, etc.• Buy less from the stores – farmers

send more food overseas

• People eat their own produce• Larger gardens could donate food

4. Recycling Drives

• Items were needed to help make machines, clothing, equip, etc.

• Airplanes, ships, trucks, uniforms, jackets, etc.

• Items: tin, rubber, rags, paper, garden hoses, metal, etc.

• This was an opportunity for young kids to help too

• Everybody was expected to help – age did not matter

Recycling Posters

5. Bonds/Stamps

• Government needed money to pay for the war

• War bonds – basically a loan to the government

• Varying values for both – cents to dollars

• Bonds increase in value over time• Can be traded in later for $ return• Government used celebrities to

get people to buy more bonds

• Raised hundreds of millions

War Bonds and Stamps

6. Women Join the Workforce - again

• Millions of men left to join the military – some women too

• Women were needed to fill jobs• Known as “Rosie the Riveters”• Worked in factories making tanks,

planes, ships, uniforms, etc. – heavy industry

• Previously these jobs were not available to women and African-Americans

• Now they were desperately needed• Many fired after the war – make room

for soldiers returning home• Many looked to stay in the work force rather

than return to the “life at home”

Rosie the Riveter