'------------____ _---- ------------------_____-----------------
'---
Report of Nation-wide Survey
MADE BY THE
NATIONAL OPINION RESEARCH CENTER
UNIVERSITY OF DENVER
March , 1942
INDEX
PAGE
Purposes , Method ,
etch_------_h_--
-------_n
----_m__n _m- .---mn_h-
Summary __m__h___m__--n----nh__h____m______----_m__- ._n_____
u. S. and a World Union After the WaL_-- h____--m_ _mm__m._-
--_m- 4
U. S. and Oversea Possessions_----_m_____h_h______h______m_mnm_mm_--_m-
u. S. Feeding Starving Peoples After the WaL_----- -_mmnm_m_____hFeelingToward German and Japanese People_____--_m_--_m__m_--_n_- -_m . 8
Should the Allies Try to Make the Axis Pay the Cost of the War?m-
. Payment for Lease Lend Materials__n _h_-_ m_--------_m
'--_m--n__n_n _m_
Current War Time Problems
Inflation ---_m_---______h__mm_ __nm_--__-_h--__h_____---_____ _h_n-h_____mh
Compulsory Rationing __n __h__n_m_---_mh___---__ __n__n___--_m--hm_____ '--m_-
Savings.__n --_m---- _n__
How Long Wil the War
__h__n___- _m_- ---------m--
_n__n_----
LasL__h___mmn__m_-_m___ --__h__ __m_--m-
Breakdowns and Cross Tabulati()n
on All Questions__ :m_m---_m-------
Factual Information _____m____-h--m__ _---m__m '-_m_-h
'_h_
__on
Facts About National Opinion Research CenteL_____------ _- .n--hn---- 31-32
Purposes
Summary
I. To sound out public opinion on cerain post~war problems, and on
the part that the United States might take in the world if the United
II.
III.
Nations win the war.
To determine the present attitude of the American people towards
the allies and towards the enemies of the United States.
To ascertain attitudes towards cerain civilian contributions to the
war effort.
With democracy becoming more articulate and determined , this survey is
primarily undertaken in the belief that the part the United States takes
in the peace wil be largely influenced by the voice of American citizens.
The Center, therefore, plans to make regular periodic surveys , of which
this is the first , to follow the trend of public opinion on questions of post~
war significance.
Method
A carefuly selected
nation-wide cross-section of the entire population
over 21 years of age was questioned by the Center s national staff of
personally trained interviewers. '
In making this study, the Center has approached the same basic ideas from
several angles by means of related questions.
The Cross- Section
or H
Who was interviewed"
MERICANS want to cooperate with other nations after the war
is over to establish world peace. Four out of five people in this
national crOS5"section think that if the Axis is defeated , the
United States should try to form some kind of a union to help keep peace
and order in the world. A large majority agree that all the allies , including
Russia, and the Central and South American countries should be included
in such a union- A slight majority are of the opinion that Germany, Italy
and Japan should alo be included.
Furthermore , at this time , a majority of Americans are neither revengeful
against the people living in the Axis countries nor dothey favor a United
States policy of aggrandi2ement. Most people are satisfied with the possessions the United States has now or only favor the United States seeking
new military bases for the protection of continental America.
Four out of five persons think that if, after the war , the people in some
foreign countries are starving, the United States should help to feed them.
Almost a majority, however , are of the opinion that these food contribu-
tions should be made in the form of loans to the countries in need; few
being
in favor of this food being paid for out of American taxes.
A strikingly larger proportion of Americans are more inclined to be favorably disposed towards the Germans as a
people
than they are towards the
. Japanese as a
The cross~section selected is sociologically characteristic of the adult pop'
ulation of the entire country. For Geographic Distribution , she of CrossSection, and other technical information see page 30.
Time
of
Survey
The interviews on which this survey is based were made between February
9th and 16th
, 1942.
peoPle.
Today a large majority of Americans are of the opinion that Germany,
Italy and Japan should be made to give up all the land and property they
have taken during the war. However , close to a majority hold the opinion
that the Axis countries should be made to pay only as much as they can
afford towards the cost of the war within a defiite time limit set by the
Alles; whereas only one~ third believe that the Axis powers should be
made to paydl the cost of the war. Remembering the old controversy
over war debts , most people think that Russia , Britain and China should
pay for the Lease- Lend materials sent to them by the lJnited States.
Also included in this report are such current war questions as: rationing,
compulsory savings and how long wil the war last.
--.....--.-.--------...---..
"',,---,
"
.--.--.. --._.. ..._..
...-..----.
.--...
-..--......
----.
-",_,_--,.--.. _...
---
The 6% answering " Some" and the 1% answering " Depends"*
World
Union After the War
The U. S. and
It is iluminating at this time to discover the extent to which the American
people are willing to cooperate with other nations in establishing world
peace and order.
The series .of questions on this subject began with the following:
If Germany, Italy, and Japan are defeated, do you think the
United States should try to form some kind of a union of the
Alled Countries to help keep peace and order in the world?"'"
YES .m
were
then aSked:
_m-- .nm o...n o.m..--m_.. 'o.-
85'0/0
.__n... 9
--...nm
"--'_n
Depends nn..n '._n. _--"_"-----""--"'----'---"--- 2
No opinion.-------------..-n ....-.------....n. --m-- 3
. 1
--.m
Don t understand questionm
NO --oo--,-,---
100%
Significant. Thus it is established that at this time fewer than one out of
ten people indicate that they want the United States to follow an isola~
tionist policy after the war.
It is interesting to find that no significant differences in opinion are registered between the sexes , or among the various economic or age groups.
(For detailed breakdowns see page 16.
What about All the
Which (Alled) countries do you think should NOT be in the
union?"
Sif(ni
cant.
Of this 7% (6% of the entire cross'section), about one~third
mentioned Russia , approximately another third were unable to name any
country specifically, and the remaining third gave such answers as China
the smaler countries , and France.
The third question in this series deals with our neighbors to the south:
Do you think all, some or none of the countries in Central
, America and South America should be in the union?"
ALL '_..m'---m_n
- h
'm 80%
SOME n 'm.mm._n'm_'--m.._n'----h'.. 6
Depends _--...--m.--mm. m"- mh. --o.m "o.--
No opinion
mmh_m------'--_""m.mm.--_ .--- 9
100%
9% were without an opinion on this
question , which is 5'% greater than the " No Opinion" on the first ques'
Comment.
It wil be noted that
cion in this series. When those who did not express an opinion are ex~
eluded from both questions , it is found that 89% favor the United States
trying to form some kind of union to help keep peace and order in the
world when the war is over , and almost 9 out of 10 people in this group
want to see all Central and South American countries included in the
union. Slightly more than half of these people favor the Axis powers
being members of the union. (For brea
Alled Countries?
The 85'% who said " Yes " and the 2% "Depends "
were then asked the
next three questions:
Do you think all the countries on the Allied side should be in
this union, or just some of them?"
_.m_.. 880/0
--m.
ALL --..._....n.--.. m'n
SOME --.m.n....m..._ ...n...__...--.-.----',,'--"----' 6
--"-- 1
Depends .
No opinion--..--m.m m-- ------m.
n.--..
What about the
then asked:
Do you think Germany, Italy, and Japan should be in this
union?"
Germany Italy
Japan
5'
%
5'%
NO .m_.._n_--._-- 34
YES ---.-----.n
*Such tems as " Union Now
were ignored to avoid possible emotional or political prejudices-
---n 5' %
Depends ._--nmNo opinio
League of Nations " and " International Police Force
downs see page 17.
Axis Countries?
Each respondent who favored the U. S. forming some kind of union was
100%
(For detailed breakdowns see page 16.
3
None _'..m...n._._. _--o._ --o.,,_ "--..mm.n'hh ' 2
*On this and several
7
33
100% 100% 100%
other questions throughout the repvrt a " Depends " group
appears. This group consists of those respondents who qualified their replies so that
their answers could not be classified in a .specific category..
. . . .. .. .. -. .. .-. :...... .. .. .. .- .. .. . . ., -.. .. .. .-. ... ....... -
Comment On this question people group the Axis powers together
making little or no differentiation between them. Further breakdowns
show that the younger people , the higher economic group and those with
more education are more in favor of having the Axis powers in the proposed union than are older people , the lower economic group and those
with less education. (For breakdowns see page 17.
,"
. . . .--....--.---. . ..
. .... .. .-:...--.....---................... . . .
. . - - . - . ----'------'----""',
. . . . . . . - . . . . . . . . . . . . .,
favored by 21% of the lower income group. Only half as many of the
lower income group believe the U. S. should tr
base only,
Feeding Starving Peoples
After the War
In an attempt to ascertain how the American people feel today regarding
New Lands and Oversea
Possessions
feeding staring foreigners
\Vhat are the people thinking today about the U. S. possessions overse5!s?
How will the war affect their attitudes towards new possessions and military hases?
YES ----------"'m.----_------w--.. --.......--.u.-----
NO m___,_w-------"U-----"------'hm""'.--m-- 7
of the United States. Each respondent was handed a card with four possible attitudes and was asked:
(a) The United States should give up all the
land outside of the U. S. that is diffcult to
defend. . .
(b) The United States should besatisfted with
has
now. .
(c) The United States should try to get miltary
bases only. . . . . - . . . - . . . . . - . . . . . . . . . ..
(d) The United States should try to get as much
new land in the world as she can. . . . . . . . - 13
No Opinion. . . . .
Depends U--'U----U--'
Significant. At the present time , only 13% of the people favor an imperialistic policy for the United States. A majority of 70% are satisfied with
the amount of land the United States has now or only desire new possessions in the form of military bases.
Further breakdowns show that whereas only 8% of the upper income
group think we should get as much new land as possible, this attitude is
'U"--h. 11
No Opinion --.--.....
100%
Comment. It is interesting to find that the more highly educated and
fiancialy secure groups are more in favor of feeding the starving post war
countries than are the less' privileged. However , three out of four in all
classes vote affrmatively on this bascally humanitarian question.
The " Depends" group, 11%, qualfied their answers with such comments
Our feeding the starving people overseas should depend upon the
amount of food surpluses in this country, " and "Not until we have taken
care of our own. " (See page 19 for breakdowns on this and next ques~
tion. )
The 80% who answered "YES" the starving should be fed, and the 11
answering " Depends" were presented with this additional question:
How do you think this food should be paid for?"
1. By the people of
100%
the following question
If, after the war, people in some of the countries in the world
are starving, do you think the United States should help to feed
the people in these countries?"
With a view to following the trend of American opinion on these sub-
Which of these four statements comes closest to what you
think the United States should do about new land and posses
sions in the world?"
after the war is over ,
was presented:
jects , the following question was presented to this miniature population
the amount of land in the world she
to get miltary
as do the upper income group. (Additional breakdowns on page 18.
the United States through
taxes. . .
60/0
2. By loans to the countries getting the food. ..
3. By the people of the United States giving
money- like through the Red Cross. . .. . ..
way. . . .
No Opinion. -
4. Some other
100%
- . .. -. .. .....
........ ... -.....
.. .....
the German
Feeling Towards
Based upon the assumption that the United Nations wil win the war
and Japanese Peoples
Thi series of questions was asked with a view to ascertaining the public
who live in Germany and Japan. The
questions , presenting three possible attitudes , were printed on
people
present attitude towards the
fist two
-.
------------------------ ----------.
cards which were handed to each respondent. One card for
Germany and
one for Japan:
Which of the following statements comes closest to describing
how you feel, on the whole, about the people who live in Germany (Japan)?"
Results
German Japanese
a. The German (Japanese) people wil
always want to go to war to make
themselves as powerful as possible. 21 %
b. The German (Japanese) people may
not like war, but they have shown
that they are too easily led into war
by powerful leaders. ..
c. The German (Japanese) people are
like any other people. If they could
two further questions confirm the American people s greater tolerance
for the Germans than for the Japanese. For comparative purposes the:
Italians and French people were included in the following question which
read:
Do you think the people in Germany should be given a chance
to vote, in a fair election, to choose what kind of a government
they should have after the war?
How about the Itaian people? The Japanese people? The
French people?"
French
People
YES
taJian
People
German
People
Japanese
People
100%
100%
10070
------___._n-____
Depends
Opinion..----....
41%
100%
(For cross-tabulations on the German and Japanese parts of this question
turn to page 22.
27 '
The third question of this seies follows:
really choose the leaders they want,
they would become good citizens
In your opinion, after the war will the German people want
the kind of government they have now, or some other kind?"
of the world. . . . .
1'o Opinion. .
The same question was asked concerning the Italian and Japanese people.
100%
100%
German
People
Significant. Note that practicaly twice as many'
persons feel that the
PRESENT Kind.nmm--.._-----. 19%
people
Some OTHER Kind '.m--m_--. 66
wil always want to go to war. Over twice as many feel that the Germans
would become good citizens of the world if allowed to choose their leaders
as think the Japanese are capable of becoming good world citizens. The
fact that 14% felt unable to select anyone of the three attitudes as applied
Depends .m'-_-----"--m.___..m_.. 2
Japanese
people
are incorrigibly belligerent as think the German
to the Japanese people ,
People
20%
Japanese
People
41%
NoOpinionm..--m--m__m...m- 13
100%
100%
100%
whereas only 7% were unable to do so for the
German people , would seem to show a feeling of less familiarity with the
Mikado s subjects. (A more complete analysis of this question appears
on page 20.
Italian
*This survey is not concerned with the practicabilty of the operations suggested by
the questions. The idea of voting in a fair election was used as a vehicle to measure
the feeling towards the people in the above countries . since a fair eIectibn is some'
thing that the great majority of Americans understand.
,.--
-- ----..
,_--"'----'
----..
Those who answered " Some other kind" or "Depends" were requested'
to name the, type of government they thought the people ' would want.
The results:
Of those answering " Some other
kind" or " Depends"
Of Tota Cross. Section
% Answering:
Democratic ..--
Germany Italy Japan Germany Italy Japan
58%
61 %
- . . - . . -, :... .. .-.... .-.. . -. .
,"
41%
52%
34%
18%
Other than
The 17% who answered " Some " or " Depends " for Germany were asked:
What Should the Ger ans Not Have to Give Up?"
Nearly a third of these people (or about 5'% of the total cross~section)
sad that Germany should not have to give up any lands that were hers
before the First World War. A quarter gave such answers as "Terri~
tories that are basically German; " a few made miscellaneous answers and
nearly a third ' were unable to give specific answers.
When the 9% who answered " Some" or " Depends"
in the case of Italy
were asked:
Democratic -- 11
Don t Know...m 28
What Should Italy
100% 100%
100%
68%*
5'9%*
33%*
(For breakdowns see page 24.
Not Have to Give Up?"
Nearly half made on answer at all. The other half mentioned such things
Lands they need to live on " or "African Possessions " or "Territories
basicaly Italan.
The Conquered Countries
To secure additional opinions towards the Axis powers , three further
questions were presented regarding post~war problems. The first concerns the countries that the Axis has conquered and plundered:
Do you think that after the war, Germany should be made
to give up all, some,
taken since
1930?"
NO'! Have to Give Up?"
Of the 9% who answered "Some" or "Depends" for Japan , over a third
What Should Japan
After the War
were unable to name anything she Should not give up.
One in five men~
tioned Manchuria or China and the remainder gave such miscelaneous
answers as "Lands they need for their own. people "
and " Lands where
the people choose to belong to Japan.
or none of the land and things she has
How Mach Should the Alles Try to
Identical questions were also asked concerning Italy and Japan.
Make Germany, Italy, Japan Pay?
Should be made to give up:
Gerrny
ALL land and things.h--n..... _.-- 77%
SOME ----h. m'-- '--m "m.m --m h-- 15'
NONE --'.--.---
--h'm m--.-- 1
Depends _. m--"
----m ..--.m 2
Italy
81%
Japan
83%
No Opinion .. _._..m.mm... m--
100% 100%
100%
One- quarter of the people who had attended college approve of Ger~
many s being alowed to keep " Some" of her gains , whereas only 10%
of the less educated express such leniency toward Germany. (For
break~
downs see page 25'.
"'Does not add to 100% because total cross. section was not asked this question.
This question is also based upon the supposition that the Allies win the
war:
Do you think the Alles should try to make Germany, Italy,
and Japan pay-
or
Gerrny
All the cost of the war. . . . . . .. 35%
As much as they can afford within a time limit set by the Alles 49
Italy
Japan
34%
35%
100%
100%
None of the cost of the war. . .
Other. . .
No Opinion. . . .
100%
...--
So far as war reparations
respondents group the Axis
show that the younger people
the higher economic groups and those with more educational advantages
are more in favor of financial leniency toward the Axis ' countries than
their counterparts. (For detaied breakdowns, see page 26.
,"
Current W ar- Time Problems
Inflation:
The spectre of inflation is a problem uppermost in the minds of many
Americans today. The following question was asked in order to deter~
Payment for
mine the extent, to which people regard the possibility of rising ' prices
Materials
as a danger
Al1ied War Debts wil obviously be one important problem in the post'
war adjustment period. The Center plans to ask the following question
periodically, as the trend of public opinion on this score wil become of
increasing importance: *
Do you think that rising prices are a good thing or a bad
thing for the United States at this time?"
Although six out of ten people think that rising prices would be harmful ,
almost one~ fifth
Do you think that Great Britain should or should not pay us
for the war materials we have sent them under the lease- lend
bil? How about China?
Should ..
_m. --_m 'm----
76%
China
63%
Britain
75%
9
Other ._mmuumm--m.--m._.mm 2
Don t know _.mn.m_._m..... m-...- 6
100%
100%
100%
Over twice as many in the upper income group and those
college education think the Allies should
not
with some
pay us as do those people
in the lower income group and with less education. More of the older
people , over 40 , than those under 40 believe that we should not be paid.
(For detailed breakdowns , see page 27.
*Regarding this , question: It should be noted that the ways and means of collecting
payment on lend, lease materials , is a matter for the experts. In fact , the \Vhite
House has already announced that the terms fially
not to burden commerce. . .
m-.. --m-- 18%
BAD Thing ..m'..mu. _mu m--.
...----m-- 58
Depends "--'''-
t be able.._m._.. 7
Should not --m_m.m...----. 'm... ~m
believe they would be a good thing. The results:
GOOD Thing _mm. '...-m. m..
Russia?
Russia
Should , but won
" "
are concerned ,
powers together. Further breakdowns
Lease- Lend
'--....
----.
--'',,
----.
agreed upon " ,hall
be such as
No Opinion
_'--'--m----m _m_ '----_---" 16
--.--...--_--_.m_..--..--_-------------. 8
100%
Comment. Those who favor increased prices give such reaons as
Peo-
People wil
ple wiJ have more money to pay for the cost of the war
buy more Defense Bonds " and " Prices must rise along with the wages.
Many of those against rising prices dread possible inflation , and believe
that rising prices work a hardship on the average family. Some think
that rising prices wil damage public morale.
Farmers as a group are less opposed to rising prices than the rest of the
population. People living in large cities are more opposed than any other
group. Those answering " Depends " (19% among farmers) are largely
of the opinion that rising prices for some products would be all right , but
not for all commodities. (See page 28 for breakdowns.
Rationing:
Today few ,
if any, Americans possess ration cards , although automobile
tires have been rationed for several weeks and sugar bowls have already
disappeared from some public tables. Therefore the following question
was asked:
Do you think that the government should or should not
ration products at this tie
a shortage?"
in which
it think$ there may be
-... '----''--'_.---.--.......--.
__.--
A large majority, over eight out of ten people, believes that the govern'
ment should ration those products in which there may be a shortage.
Less than one person out of each ten is against such rationing, and only
one out , of ten qualified their answers or had no opinion. The nation~
wide results were:
SHOULD Ration .mmm'--'''-''----m''''-- '--- 82%
Should NOT Ration..-
....--m.-..--....---- 8
Depends __._m..m.__.
No Opinion --.m.._m"
:m--..m 5
--_"-"'m""--"""--'-- 5
100%
Comment. Analysis reveals that the more education people have the
more they favor rationing. Further breakdown show no difference in
attitude between the sexes-but greater disapproval of the idea of rationing is shown among older people.
Typical of the comments accompanying the "Depends " on this question
are: " It depends on what they intend to ration " or " If the shortage is
real." (See page 28 for
breakdowns. )
Compulsory Savings
At the time this survey was made ,
two views, regarding enforced sav~
ing were under discussion. Some people believe that such a move is un
necessar and undemocratic , others advocate enforced saving as a means
to help control prices and prevent shortages of consumer goods.
In an attempt to ascertain which of these two conflicting views most
closely reflects the opinion of the American people , the following ques~
who said that " Rising
that the government " Should NOT
tion was asked of al respondents except those
prices are a GOOD thing
and also
ration products at this time.
Some people think one way to stop
raising prices or to stop
shortages is for the government to take a certain amount of
each person s wages or salary for Defense Bonds. These Defense Bonds could not be cashed until the war is over. Would
you be in favor of such a plan, or against it?"
In FA VOR --m.--.m .m..---...----m_...
'.. 34%
AGAINST ",---..----.mm""--'----'mnm--m- 45
Depends _.--m.-.m'
'--'--''...__.m_''_'
Don t Know ------n ._..--.mm_
m' 12
--.--m------ 9
100%
ConsidE(ring the question specifies that the
bonds could not
be cashed until after the war 34% in favor of enforced savings maybe
Oomment.
significant. A' careful breakdown, of the
fidings shows, the following
interestingfacts: Men (by a margin of 9%) are more in favor of government imposed savings than women. The less educated and lower
income groups are more wiling to submit to saving regulation than the
more privileged group.
Of the 12% who qualified their answers, eight out of ten stated that it
depends on how much a person earns. (Seepage 29 for breakdowns.
How Long wil
The War
Last?
On January 21 " 1942, Galup reported only 22% of the people believing
that tbe war would last more than three years , compared with the 34%
shown in this surey which was complet?d four weeks later.
In the interval between the two surveys, the United Nations received
continual bad news. The Japanese advances in the western Pacific for
example , or the sinking of Alled merchant ships off our Atlantic coast.
It is not surprising, therefore , that the comparison shows a considerable
trend in public opinion towards the possibility of a longer war.
The findings of this survey follow:
How much longer do you think the war wil last?"
8% thik the war wil last -LESS than one year
24 think the war wil last one to two years
16 think the war wil last two to
34 think the war wil last MORE than three years
18 declned to guess
three years
100%
Men , younger people , and thos with more education or more money
tend to look for a longer war than women , older people , and those with
less education or less money. (See page 29 for breakdowns.
---
--. _.".."...--.
--. --.
--. ..""'
---~--.---',--,
BREAKDOWNS
BREAKDOWNS
(If answer was "Yes "
f(uestion:
If Germany, Italy and Japan are defeated, do you think the
United States should try to form some kind of a union of the
or " Depends " to " Do you think the United
States should try to fornl some kind of a union. . . "
f(uestion:
Do you think a ll, some or none of the countriC$
Alled countries to help keep peace and order in the world?
Yes 9%
No
2%
Depends Don t Know
TOTAL . --mmhUhhu_Umhunuu.-- 85%
TOTAL u--.mm
Merl n___..."'---------U..H-.-.----no--_ .._-
Women nU'mU 'U,.. hn.m.----
m.m...m.
By Sex
Men .muum..--. .
Women .. UU,
By Age
87
UUUh. 84
By Age
Under 40uh...mn ,um.. --.--"."mu.uh. 8)
Over 40 "m--'u"nm""""U--u..--m..u 85'
By Economic Level
Upper ""'--U ""_".mm--"" ,"'''n.--u-- 87
Middle -'--"""""UU_. Uuum--_----"""" 86
Lower .--....m.....mm.
"mmu-- 83
'mumm'mm'm.
Under 40mm.. --u
Lower m"'m.hm..u.-mu""" u--",, "m 73
By Education
Some or Completed Collegen
--u 85
Some or Completed High SchooL-- 81
Grammar School Graduate or Les--. 75
f(
uestion:
Germany
De.
or " Depends " to preceding question)
on the Alled side should be
in this union" or just some of them?
All
S8%
By Sex
Men n .nm--"""""...mm--'_'--_m.u ', 88
Women ."mm" umn----' --m.--m.
By Age
Under 40n ' --"""'----mu_. m...--.mm..
mm . mm
87
89
"u 86
By Economic Level
.". 89
Middle .--.m"",,"h..m"h. .mmnu.u-- 87
Lower '", "m, 'n--"'_""u'umu_muuh'u 87
By Education
Some or Completed CoIlege.mum." 91
Some or Completed High SchooL.. 89
Grammar School Graduate or Lessu 84
Some
1%
Depends Don t Know
Italy
De.
Do you think Germany, Italy and Japah should be in this
union?
Upper ""'hmm__m..
.....u--.m-- 80
_--m --mmum.mm 82
Middle m.n--'.--.mm.mu
--''',,'''''-- 81
Some, or Completed High SchooL. 88
Grammar School Graduate or Lessu 84
Over 40 --"
mm--u 81
m. 77
By Economic Level
Upper '--'m--'''',
Some , or Completed CoIlegemm----. 83
TOTAL --uu..m.m _--.mm--u..",--".uu"
Don
Depends Know
Over 40 ", ""n. h"um.mu.--"... _--",,,,,.. 79
By Education
Do you think all the countries
in Central
All
80%Some
6% None
2% 3%
America and South America should be in this union?
By Sex
f(uestion:
(If answer was "Yes"
.._.
TOTAL
Yes No pends D. K
u----mm. 51% 34% 7% 8%
By Sex
36
32
By Age
Under 40mmn.. 55 30
Over 40,------..--- 47 37
Men .u.mm.n ". 51
Women -----"no 50
JaplLn
De-
Yes No pendsD, K Yes No pends D. K,
51;70 33%
7% 9% 50% 34% 8%8%
10 52
50
55 29
47 37
55 30
46 38
50 35
51 34
50
.44 38
J3 45 37
By Economic Level
Upper ------ .---- 54
Middle ..
no-- 53
Lower ------._u--..
By Education
Some , or Com'
pleted College 62
Some , or Com.
pletedHigh
ScooL..
Grammar Sc'
Graduate or
Less .------..._--.
(If answer was "Yes"
13 44 38
or " Depends " to " Do you think the United
States should try to form some kid of a union. . . "
'--.----..--...----".
--"--"""""""
----. --... --. '-._--''--'
--.....--...
...
.....
'-"."..
--...--.......--.----..
....._
""''''''''--,''--._--..
......._
--..--------.
......
_-"--- .".-----..
BREAKDOWNS
........................,..
BREAKDOWNS
uestion:
uestion:
Which of these four , statements comes closest to what you
think the United States should do about new land and posworld?
(a) The United States should give up all the land outside of
the U. S. that is difficult to defend.
(b) The United States should be satisfied with the amount of
sessions in the
land in the world she has now.
the world as she can.
TOTAL "--"
'mm..
By Sex
Men ",,"n.nnnn--. ......u
Women "n
By Age
Under 40--.
Over 40.--------.
By Economic Level
..-_....n
Upper
Middle
Lower u._--n."..._
By Education
Some or Completed
College .nn_n--_nn.__
Some or Completed
High SchooL.....m.
Grammar School
Graduate or LeSSm--
Land
Get
Mil1tary
Bases Only
Much Land
38%
32%
13%
Be Satisfied
with Present
feed the people in these countries?
Yes
TOTAL ..--...--.. mmm..m_.m.----.....----..--... 80%
J\o
By Sex
Don
Depends Know
1170
Men "n----.m--""
--"n------ 83
Women -----------'--..--.....m', '.m--m.... 77
By Age
(c) The United States should try to get miltary bases only.
(d) The United States should try to get as much new land in
Give up
I..and
If, after the war, people in some of the countries in the world
are starving, do you think the , United States should help to
Get as
as Possible
.----n--.----n........ :--. 79
Over 40..-----....--.--...------..------.
---- 81
Under 40m.--m--m
By Economic Level
~'''m-- 85
Upper '''''''''''''--'''----''--------,
Middle h-- hm--""--------'----n--_--...".---. 79
Lower """'''''--'--'''''m--OO''--''--'''mm-- 75
By Education
Some or Completd
College.----......."n.. 86
Some or Completed High SchooL....-- 79
Grammar School Graduate or Lessm.... 76
(If "Yes"
or " Depends " to preceding question)
uestion:
How do you think this food should be paid for?
1. By the people of the United States through taxes.
2. By loans to the countries getting the food.
3. By the
people of the United States giving money-,like
through the Red Cross, or
4. Some other way.
Voluntary
ContriBy Taxes By Loans
TOTAL '--....--_m...--..--.
' 6%
By Sex
Men ""'''--'''''''--,
Women --"".m
''m--m--..--_---- 7
...... 5
By Age
Under 40--n-.............,,--..--.--. 6
Over 40--""""---. ".._.."m..--...--.. 6
By Economic Level
Upper 'mmm'..--...m_..--m.".--.." 4
Middle --'--m"",'--"''',''''''''''''''--,, ' 6
Lower -- ..----mn-- '.m...".........--. 7
By Education
Some or Completed College-_mm 6
Some or Completed High School 6
Grammar Sch' l Graduate or Less 6
45%
butions Other
Don
Know
....------------......
"-- .---....""-......
',,
--.
BREAKDOWNS
BREAKDOWNS
2(uestion:
2(uestion:
Which of the following statements comes Closest to , describing
how you feel, on the whole , about the people who live
Germany (Japan)?
(a) The German (Japanese) people wil always want to go to
war to make themselves as powerful as possible.
(b) The German (Japanese) people may not like war, but they
have shown that they are too easily led into war by power-
fulleaders. .
(c) The German (Japanese) people are like any other people;
if they could really choose the leaders they want, they
would become good citizens of the world.
Do you think the people in Germany should be given a chance
to vote, in a fair election, to choose what kind of a government
they should have after the war? How about the Italian people?
The Japanese people? The French people?
German People
TOTAL
pends
28%
u -- -----_UUU
Italian People
De-
Yes
De-
Yes
710
64%
p ends
24%
By Sex
Men __on
Women
By Age
'n--. 62
'n 61
Under 40.--.m....------ .n
Over 40m----............m.
63
By Economic Level
German People
Wil
Alwa.ys
Want
War
TOTAL ......n..m... 21%
By Sex
Men 'm ..m. hnn 23
Women _m------' 20
By Age
Japanese People
Will
Always
Could
Too
Want
EasilY Be Good Don
Led
Citizens Know War
Too
Could
Easily Be Good Don
Citizens Know
Led
18%
14%
2770
Upper .m..--.......---.n '.-- 63
Middle '....--..--n--..-----Lower --m"...m.mmn--. 5'3
Some or Completed
College --.. ..m :n..----- 65'
Some or Completed
High SchooL...
25'
'.n 65'
Middle .............. 20
Lower m..m..
' 24
By Education
Some or Comp1eted College 21
Some or Completed High
School mnm.. 21
Grammar School
Graduate
or Less.
--..--. 21
5'3
Japanese People
Over 40n--m. h.--.
Upper ..--....m. 21
25'
Grammar School
Graduate ' or .Less----. 5'4
Under 40....m... 20
22
By Economic Level
.18
By Education
TOTAL....
French
De.
vends D. K.
Yes
36%
11%
78%
By Sex
Men '_--m m--m
Women
By Age
'''.'''h-.
...... 50
Under 40_mn .--m ....--... 52
Over '40"' 'h''''' '''''''--- 47
By Economic Level
Upper "--m"--"'--"',",'. 5'
Middle m.m.,,------....-.. 53
Lower .........
...... 41
By Education
Some or Completed
College ------"--"--"m
Some or Completed
High SchooL...... ,..m
5'6
5'0
Grammar School
Graduate or Lesm... 44
65'
People
De.
pends
Yes
10%
10%
.. ::.-....
'".'"
'"..
..
....
CROSS- 'f ABULA
'"
;; '"
". ggg-g ..*-
nON
"'''
-'"
..'"
."
......
".
'"
"'''
..""
,
",o,
N'"
..
j;
"'N'"
Those who think that the German
people:
Should vote to choose own
t"'''''
Will always
want to go
to war
Are too easily Could become
led to war good
citizens
by leaders of the world
government ."..".mu--._m--,,-- 43 %
Should not vote to choose own
Total
Cross secti 0 n
62%
'8
government 00"--00""'''--''--'--' 47
Depends --m----.unu--'-- _.Um--.--. 2
Don t
....'"
::::
., ..'"
",o,
:; .n.
Me.
Know...,--........,...,.--.-----.
100%
100ro
100%
100ro
\0000
'0 ,
'- 0
-0
c.
t:
--M
.. (1
.. .t
0)
fJ'g
'0'"
Those who thnk that the, Japanes
people:
Will always
want to go
to war
Should :vote to choose own.
government --m-- m""'m.mm 38%
Are too easily Could become
led to war good citizens
by leaders of the world
55%
73%
ota.l
Crosssection
50%
c. ...
(1 c.
;-g tR
""-I-
0'0
'C '"
'0 '0 ..
N co
0\0..NN
c. 0
t: (1
8 t:
0)
Should not vote 'to choose own
01:
government --------, U'n_mmm 50
0)
. 10
"'M'"
Depends .....m_-- .. ----'----00"00-- '00 1
Don t KnoWu.uuun--_.m ..--u ..---- 9
"8
100
100
co '"
'0 '0
c;&j
100
0)
..
0
'" 0'0
\OI-'"
o,M
'0 '0
"O
I-t-M
--M
t :I
-0
.. d
a:l
o ..
! i
goo'
.. (1
d : '"
:: e
i c:
,$ is
;:O
12
2:2
.q 0 :
t;
- M?
Ii
tJ J
g-B'
i i
iJ:o,
iJ
o.""D(J ""'M
15
ti:
! tI !
--CP
rn ..
tJ
E:.. s3
CC ('"
a 5
;. moo
"
0
. 61%
28%
raCj'
58%
16%
26%
Peopk
Other
Italian
Democ-
10,
Japanese Peopk
ther D. K.
52%
10%
380/0.
racy
Del1oc
~,,,,"""'m"'''' 78
Some or Completed College. 70
Some or Completed
'mm. 80
HighSchooL.:",
Grammar School Graduate
.......m... 79
or Less.
By Education
Lower ' ",,,,,
Women ..m.....--....... 'n.. '. 75
By Age
Under 40..............m--......m . 75
Over 40......m....................... 79
By Economic Level
Upper , ................m......... m.... 74
.""."" 78
Middle -"-
De-
Germany
Don
10/0
Soine None pends Know
TOTAL m""' ..................n 77% 15%
ByS
Men ... .....--m..u',,", "'''' 79
..11
8170.
All
8%
Some
270. 170
De. Don t
one pe.nds Know
Italy
I
Japan
De.. Don
Some None pends Know
7ro.
83%
All
Do you think. that, after the war, Germany should be made to give up all, some, or none of the
How about Italy? How about Japan?
1930?
land and things sh has taken since
Hestion:
BREAKDOWNS
Some or Completed College..m.....-----....m.......... 56
Some or Completed High SchooL....._n..mn......m 64
Grammar School Graduate or Less.. .........m......... 61
By Education
11
Other
German People
:'0.;)
Democ-
Men .............m....................m....
.....n 61
Women ..u..m...--........m.............._........m....m... 62
By Age
Under 40.... m._..u.__m.......m...m......_................. 64
,.......-.......................... 59
Over 40 ...
By Economic Level
Upper . ..n h.m..n''''hh.............. ,nn.... .n..n
Middle ........ '..................n.....__m.....m...... .............. 68
Lower ".""" ",,"""n.n'''_'''''' ~'m......................m.. 57
By Sex
'
Other Kind" or " Depends'; to preceding question)
TOTAL '....._.......mnn_.n"',"''''..m..'',,'''',,'''''''
What kind?
uestion:
(If answer was " Some
BREAKDOWNS
......... _-- :.., ..... ......
j.,,,
3),%
Can
49;:0
7;:0
4% 5%
Other D. K I
Germany
Afford None
Italy
Can
34
34;:0
5'4
)'0
)'0
)'0% 7%
3;:0
All Afford None Other D. K.
I 4)'
5'6
Japan
Can
Afford None Other D.
3)% 49% 7;:0
A1I
Don
Should
Dou
Upper --,----'n--n
""'-- 70
uate or Le8----...... --..... 74
Grammar School Grad-
High SchooL.......--.... 81
Soine or Completed
College ..m""'''''''''''''' 68
By Education
Some or Complete
Middle .........--...........------ 79
Lower "----"",,,,,,,"n...-- 74
but
Russia
20/0
Don
Able Not Other Know
'\V on' t .8h o-uld
Should,
Other Know Should Be
76%
20/0
I 79
5'9
63% 14% 15%
Should Be Able Not
Under 40.......----......--... 78
Over 40........... ,........n .---- 72
By Economic Level
9;:0
I 77
...--...--..........----.-- 7)'%
Should Be Able Not Other !(now
Should
China
Should.
but
Won t
Men ..----.----.--""'"--''''' 76
Women ----'----m--..----"-- 74
By Age
By Sex
TO'rAL
Should
but
Won t
Great Britain
Do you think that Great Britain should or should not pay us for the war materials we have sent
them under the Leae-Lend Bil? HoW-about China? Russia?
2(uestion:
BREAKDOWNS
uate or Less....--.....-45'
Some or Completed
Col1ege -------,,--.--.. 23
Some or Completed
High SchooL.--.._ ..... 34
Grammar School Grad.
By Education
By Age
Under 40--------.------. 31
Over 40--- .--n ..--n ...--.. 38
By Economic Level
upper ----"-- "--'--'''''''-- 29
Middle ....--.. .--......".. 31
Lower ...
:--...-- 44
Women .----------------.. 35
Men --..--..------------ ---- 35
By Sex
TOTAL --
A)l
As much as they can afford, within a time limit set by the Allies, or
None of the cost of the war.
Do you think that the Alles should try to make Germany, Italy and Japan pay
All the cost of the war
2( ue stion:
BREAKDOWNS
~------,,--....--..
.--.
~.------...
...
_--.
--.
--_
-'__ --_.
---._---.-.-_. . - - -.-- -----.
"...------'.'-,
...- __--__-----..---.
_. ----._---..._.....
__.
---.--.....---
.--.---:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
_--..
BREAKDOWNS
BREAKDOWNS
uestion:
(The following question was asked of al respondents except those
Do you think that rising prices are a good thing or a bad thing
for the United States at this time?
Good
TOTAL
1870
- - .--... h --o--u. un.', -"..- -. 'h_
Bad
58%
Depends Don t Know
16%
By Sex
Men
.__u_-m-Women
------._-.__n___-.--........._-By Age
Under 40-- ___fi_
Over 40.-- --n__nBy Economic Level
Upper
"'.------.____un__n__Middle n._--_
--_.uu.u_n_un__Lower
u-
u_. - ---
19
that the
uestion:
Some people think a way to stop rising prices or to stop short-
ages is for the government to take a certain amount of each
person s wages or salary for Defense Bonds. These Defense
Bonds could not be cashed until the war is over. Would yOU
be in favor of such a plan or against it?
In Favor Agains; Depends Don t Know
34')0 4570 12%
TOTAL ..---------.---- :..----0.,,0.,'-By Sex
Men o.n '.n_--.
....----nn_--. '-------- 39
Women ----..--...m.m-- ----m---- 30
h - --.
By Age
Under 40-- --,-----...----.......--m-- .m 35
..--..----...."...----.-- 34
Over 40-m
By Economic Level
By Education
Some or Completed College-----Some or Completed High School
Grammar School Graduate or Less
Upper .--nn............----..--_----.m--m 32
By Residence
Middle o.m-- C---- ------..--.----m --.. 35
Lower .----m..m--m--.mm 'm.. --..' 35
Cities over 100 OOO--n--..--...--w-Places under 100 OOO_--n ..nn o.n-Fanners
___--n" --------uUUU'."H
By Education
Some or Completed College----. -- 31
Some or Completed , High School 34
Grammar School Graduate or Le&5 37
uestion:
Do you think that the government should or should not
ration products at this time in which it thinks there may be
a shortage?
Should Should
. 82% 8%
TOTAL
By Sex
Men
Women
By Age
who said , that " Rising prices ' are a GOOD thing f!nd also
government " Should NOT ration products at this time.
------"---------- 83
. 82
-0.--
Under 40----.--...
---- 88
Over 40 ------.m...--mm--'.----.nm.-- 76
By Economic Level
. Upper.------
. 86
Middle .m"'nm--.--.--m--n------ 86
Lower n 'mm" --m.mmmn
-- . 73
By Education
Some or Compkted Oollege.--.. -- 89
Some or Completed High School 86
Grammar School Graduate Qr Le$ 7R
5%
Not Depends Don t Know
uestion:
How much longer do you think the war will last from now?
Less
By Sex
Than 1
1 to g
1670
TOTAL .--.--.------. m.------
Men --.. o.o.--,,----,'-- 'm...... --------- 8
Women .--'----.m-- ----.--..-------..--m 8
By Age
Under 40--.---- --0.--------0.------,-- 8
Over 40........----...--.------. :...--.-- 8
By Economc Level
, 23
. i!1a fe -Lower """-- "0.0.--.--.----------.--.---By Education,
Some or Completed College--..... 5
Some or Completed High SchooL 8
Grammar School Graduate or
Less .----.--.......--....----. 0.----"-- 11
'Years
2 to 3
Over 3
34%
18%
,,
StatusWith each sex group the interviews among the white population
were assigned on the basis of four standard.of. living categories. The colored people
Economic
were not assigned on the basis of economic level sice such a large proportion of them
Factual Information
The Cross- Section The sample' population upon which this study was made is
representative , within a smalI degree of error , of the national population over 21
rs of age. That is, the sample used is based upon certain sociological character.
IStICS of the adult population of the United States
Geographical Dist' ribution-Within each of the nine Census Divisions of the country
intervews were properly apportioned among the adult population in the urban and
l areas .0: that Diviion : For the urban population the interviews were appor'
tioned to cItIes and towns In the correct si e groups; while in the rural areas the
intervews were properly apportioned among farmers and non-faners.
The interviews obtained in each Census Division folIows:
Census Division
New England --'.'--.mm..
. .mm.--.
6,
Cross Section
East North CentraL...n mm-- --"-------"h.m_--_---UUUn .-- ,
are combined in this report and the colored ar all
as follows:
included in the lowest economic
withi this thd group. The economic
these three, groups can be defed roughly
group. Persons on relief are also included'
chracteritics of persons in each one of
Upper
(29% of sample)-Those persons who have all the necessities of life
and m ost or some of the luxuries characteritic to their community. Seven J:
cent of the sample is made up of what is understood
as the prosperous and
wealthy group- The remaining 22 % is made up of persons who can aford some
luxuries, but must choose rather carefully between them.
(42% of the sample)-This group is caHed the great middle class in
Middle
Amerca. They have large enough incomes to maintain an adeguat standard
% of
Middle Atlantic mm_h. huuuu..U.----. --u
falI mto the lowest income group. For purposes of tabulation the two upper groups
of livig but can seldom affqrd
Lower
2L5
luxuries-
(29% of the sample)-This group includes both colored and white,
j'op1e from families on relief and also the lowest income non'relief families
These people have djffculty maintaining an adequate standard of living.
20.4
West North CentraL.m,m.nm.u. 10.
.___n,--,,----.,uhum 'n _----'Uh.m. 12.
South Atlantic.--
East South Central - '--U------"'--'hu--'h--unmuo 7.5
West South CentraLnu.
'uuu" 9.
Mountain .-------- 'Uu'nn --UOUum
3.
hUUU.h. --mU'mm.....
Pacific States...hn
Purposes of the
. 8.
National Opinion Research Center
1. . . to establiSh the
100.
Size
of Cross- Scetion
wiI not be accurate ,
As a result of statistical research , it is now known that a poll
no matter how large a sample is taken (short of a total census
of the entire population), if the cross' section is not an
whole population.
accurate miniatw-
of the
According to a statistical table copyrighted by the President and Fellows of Harvard
College , the number of interviews necessary to be within 3 % correct on questions
that divide evenly in a national survey is 2,500. This number is suffcient 997 times
,?OO. This sane ta le adds that HALF this sample , or 1 250 interviews , would be
wIthm 3%, 962 tImes In 1 000. ActuaI1y, thi survey is based on 2 600 interviews.
Sex-
he sample included an equal number of men and women.
Age Within each ",x group half the interviews were obtained from persons between 21 and 40 years of age and half from persons over 40 years. The J 940 Census
shows 48% between 21 and 40 , and 52% over 40 years of age.
01or
Within each Census Division were obtained the number of colored respond-
ents proportional to the colored population in that area. These intervews were prop'
erly apportoned among Urban , Rural-non. farm , and Farm residents.
first non-profit , non~commercial organiz,ation
to measure public opinion in the United States.
Through a
national staff of trained investigators , representative , cross-
sections or samples of the entire population wil be
interviewed on questions of current importance.
2. . . to make available to legislators,
personally
government deparments
organizations a staff of experts
in the sCience of public opinion measurement, and a highly
academicians,
and non~ profit
trained nation-wide corps of interviewers.
the results of sureys made by other
pollingreview
organiations.
3. . . to analyze and
4. . . to create at the University of
Denver a research Center to
discover test and perfect new methods, techniques
vices for asertaining the status of public opinion.
and de~
5. . . to provide at the University of Denver a graduate department
devoted to the study of , the new science , of public opinion
measurement.
---------------------------------
Sponsors
The National Opinion Research Center has been established by a
grant from the (Marshall) Field Foundation , Inc. of New York
City, in association with the University of Denver.
Trustees
The National Opinion Research Center was incorporated on October 27 , 1941 , as a non- profit orgaru4ation under the laws of Colorado.
Its Board of Trustees consists of these seven members:
Caleb F. Gates , Jr.
of
Chancellor of the University
Denver.
Gordon W. Allport Associate Professor of Psychology, Harvard
University.
Hadley Cantril Associate Professor of Psychology, Princeton
University; Director Office of Public Opinion Research.
Douglas P.
Director, The Field Foundation, Inc.
Falconer,
Director, Greater New York Fund.
J. Quigg Newton, Jr. Secretary
University of Denver.
Samuel A. Stouffer
to
Board
of
Trustees
of
the
Professor of Sociology, University of Chi-
cago.
Louis S. Weiss
Inc.
Director and SecretaTY, The Field Foundation,
Personnel
Harry H. Field,
Director.
F. Douglas Wiliams Associate Director.
William Salstrom,
Statistician.