What is the role of a civilian population in a wartime society?
In any war the support of the civilian population is a necessity. In the case of World
War II America was about to enter it's second "total war," the first being the Civil War.
America needed to marshal all of its resources in order to beat two formidable
adversaries. The commitment of Americans on what became known as the "home front" was a
necessity.
I. World War II
A. The Home Front - term used to describe civilian support and participation in the
war.
1. How did women help support the war effort?
a. Served in various production capacities like WOW's (Women of War.
b. Volunteered for service: WAC's (Women's Army Corps), Waves, Spars.
c. As result of women's participation in the war effort the expected role
of women in American society changed. Before the war people did not think
women should work. After the war women working was more or less an
accepted part of society.
2. How do you think the average civilian was able to support the war?
a. Observe rationing. Products like silk and gasoline were not readily
available. Women who could no longer wear silk stockings would draw a
line up the back of their legs to simulate the look of the stocking.
b. Students and others collected scraps.
c. New technology - nylon as opposed to the silk used parachutes.
d. Massive government and private investment to war industry.
Name _____________________________ Class _________________ Date __________________
Political Cartoons
Cartoon 46
Uniting Americans for War
© Montgomery Advertiser, image courtesy of Alabama
Department of Archives and History
ANALYZING POLITICAL CARTOONS
Study the political cartoon, and then answer the questions that follow.
1. What actual event is this cartoon based on?
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2. What does the “Disunited States” ship represent?
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3. Why is Uncle Sam thanking the Japanese pilots?
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Copyright © by Holt, Rinehart and Winston. All rights reserved.
46 Political Cartoons Activities for American History
Mobilizing for War
A)Industry Gears Up for War
1.War Time _____________
− Industries adapted to meet war time demands
− Factories made _________, ___________, __________, and __________.
2._____________________ (WPS)
− Government created this agency to regulate the _____________
− Oversaw the conversion of ____________ to war production
− 1932: WPS banned the production of ______________
− Factories would now produce ____________________
3.General Motors
− Converted ____________ of its production to the war effort
− Made airplanes, trucks, tanks, guns, and shells
− Made ________________ billion worth of war material
B)Troops
1.Selective Training and Service Act
− 1st ______________ draft in US history
− Required all men _________________ to register
− Later changed to _____________
− Deferments were granted for __________________ and ___________ reasons
2.The Numbers
− 16 _____________ Americans served in the military
− 1 million were _____________________________
− 300,000 were _____________________________
C)_____________ and ___________
1.Paying for War-Taxes
− Taxes were greatly ______________ to pay for the war
− 1st time middle and low _____________ families had to pay income tax
− Taxed only paid for _________________ of the war
2.War Bonds
− Government sold _____________ to pay for the rest of the war
− Americans bought bonds at one price then could turn them in ______________ and get paid a
____________ amount
3.Rationing
− Americans were asked to ration ____________, _____________, _________, and other things to
support the war effort
− Rationing was first introduced in __________ because of shortages of _______________ and
______________
− 1943: “point rationing” was started to cover the distribution of _____________, canned
fish, edible fats, __________ and canned ______________
− _________________ and _____________ were also rationed
D)Opportunity and Obstacles
1.Women
− Many new ___________ opened up when the US entered the war
− Women were encouraged to take these jobs
− Women replaced men in _______________ and _________________ offices
2.African Americans
− Many African Americans moved ___________ to work in factories
− They often received ____________ pay than whites in the same job
− African Americans _____________ and ______________ on Washington DC
− They _______________________________________________ (FEPC) was created
− Prevented discrimination in war __________________ and government jobs
3.Mexicans
− During the war there were labor _______________________ in the Southwest
− The US government _____________________ Mexican workers (braceros) to enter the country
− ______________________ braceros worked in the agricultural industry in the Southwest
Summary