The Depression EndsThe Depression Ends

America is beginning to come out of the America is beginning to come out of the Depression when WWII startsDepression when WWII starts– Americans are eager to buy thingsAmericans are eager to buy things– Government has to convince people to sacrifice Government has to convince people to sacrifice

goods for the wargoods for the war

Changes in Government and the Changes in Government and the EconomyEconomy

FDR creates the Office of War Mobilization FDR creates the Office of War Mobilization to oversee productionto oversee production– Auto industry produces bombersAuto industry produces bombers– Ford’s factories produce B-24 bombers using Ford’s factories produce B-24 bombers using

the assembly linethe assembly line– Encouraging businessEncouraging business

» Cost-Plus SystemCost-Plus System - military pays development and - military pays development and production costs plus a percentage of the profitsproduction costs plus a percentage of the profits

» Business executives go to work for the government Business executives go to work for the government for a token salary of one dollar a yearfor a token salary of one dollar a year

Changes in Government and the Changes in Government and the EconomyEconomy Coca-Cola sells soldiers soda for a Coca-Cola sells soldiers soda for a

reduced pricereduced price Unemployment endsUnemployment ends Businesses and workers agree to Businesses and workers agree to

no strikesno strikes Funding the warFunding the war

– 41% through income taxes41% through income taxes– Borrowing from banks, private Borrowing from banks, private

investors and the publicinvestors and the public– Bond drivesBond drives– Deficit spendingDeficit spending

Daily Life on the Home FrontDaily Life on the Home Front

People have money to spend but nothing to spend People have money to spend but nothing to spend it onit on– They buy paper back booksThey buy paper back books– Go to moviesGo to movies

» Escapist movies such as love stories, adventures and comediesEscapist movies such as love stories, adventures and comedies

– Go to baseball gamesGo to baseball games» 4,000 to 5,700 players are in the military4,000 to 5,700 players are in the military» Start the All-American Girls’ Baseball LeagueStart the All-American Girls’ Baseball League

– Buy popular music such as “Praise the Lord and Pass Buy popular music such as “Praise the Lord and Pass the Ammunition” and “White Christmas”the Ammunition” and “White Christmas”

Daily Life on the Home FrontDaily Life on the Home Front

Shortages and ControlsShortages and Controls– Many items are unavailable Many items are unavailable

» Metal from zippers was used to make gunsMetal from zippers was used to make guns» Rubber for girdles went into tanks and trucksRubber for girdles went into tanks and trucks» No more, patch pockets or cuffs were allowedNo more, patch pockets or cuffs were allowed» Shorter skirts were made and two-piece swimsuitsShorter skirts were made and two-piece swimsuits» Sugar, coffee, and meat are scarceSugar, coffee, and meat are scarce

– FDR creates the Office of Price AdministrationFDR creates the Office of Price Administration» They start rationing goods They start rationing goods » They use advertisements to promote the war effortThey use advertisements to promote the war effort

Campaigning at HomeCampaigning at Home

In a democracy the government has to In a democracy the government has to maintain high public morale maintain high public morale – They tried to make rationing funThey tried to make rationing fun– Government organized metal and rubber drivesGovernment organized metal and rubber drives– Encouraged Americans to save cooking fat for Encouraged Americans to save cooking fat for

gunpowdergunpowder– Encourage Americans to buy war bondsEncourage Americans to buy war bonds