Chapter 26 World War II

Section 2 The Home Front

Preparing for War

To organize the war effort, the government created the WBP, War Production Board
Oversaw the conversion of factories to war production For example, auto plants were banned from making cars. They made military equipment.

Also needed millions of soldiers

Congress passed Selective Training and Service Act in 1940
Men 21-35 (18-38) were required to register

Wartime Opportunities
Much like WWI, WWII provided many opportunities for women and minorities
On a greater scale

Women
Factory workers Military Service

African Americans
Factory jobs
Received lower pay than white workers Restricted in what kinds of jobs they could perform.

A. Philip Randolph
Protested this unfair treatment African American labor leader Organized a march
Cancelled due to President Roosevelt ordering the prohibition of racial discrimination in the government and in companies producing war goods.

African Americans in the War

African Americans were segregated In Navy
Were assigned only to support positions Denied the right to participate in combat

Dorie Miller
Left position as ship cook and manned machine gun.

Tuskegee Airmen
Pilots who trained at the Tuskegee Army Air Field in Alabama

Benjamin O. Davis
First African American general in the U.S. Air Force The Tuskegee Airmen flew thousands of successful combat missions in North Africa and Italy.

Mexican Americans
Many worked on the farm. Called braceros
Minimum wage, food, shelter and clean living conditions

Created their own zoot suits

Fancy loose-fitting outfits with oversized hats

Zoot-suit Riots
Sailors attacked Mexican Americans wearing zoot suits. During the 10 day period, white mobs attacked many Mexican Americans

Japanese American Internment

After Pearl Harbor, Americans began to look at Americans of Japanese descent with fear and suspicion. Feared they would serve as secret agents for Japan and help Japan prepare and invasion. Despite having no evidence of these fears, President Roosevelt issued E.O. 9066
Allowed the government to begin the process of internment (forced relocation and imprisonment) Page 813 (Green too)

Japanese Americans
Japanese Americans lost their jobs, homes and belongings 1943 Allowed Japanese Americans into the military.
All-Nisei combat team