Chapter 17 Section 4
THE HOME FRONT
Main Idea:
After World War II, Americans
adjusted to new economic
opportunities and harsh
social tensions.
HOW DID THE WAR AND
ITS IMMEDIATE
AFTERMATH AFFECT THE
FOLLOWING?
Labor, Agriculture,
Population Centers, Family
Life, and Returning GIs
LABOR
Unemployment fell
Average weekly paychecks
rose
Women entered the workforce
in record numbers/forced out
after the war
Women & minorities offered
better pay
AGRICULTURE
Farm machinery and
fertilizers improved
Crop prices, crop
production, and farm
income increased
Farmers were able to pay
off mortgages
Population Centers
Population of cities
and states with
military bases and
defense industries
increased
Family Life
Number of women
juggling work and
family increases
dramatically
Marriage rate
increased
Returning GI’s
GI Bill of Rights increased
standard of living
–Provided free education and
job training
–Provided federal loan
guarantees for homes,
farms, and businesses
DISCRIMINATION
AND RACISM
DURING AND
AFTER WAR
AFRICAN AMERICANS
Defended their nation by
joining the military and
working in defense
industries
Founded CORE-Congress of
Racial Equality
–Staged sit-ins and improved
race relations
MEXICAN AMERICANS
Defended their
nation by joining the
military
Zoot Suit Rebellion
against tradition
JAPANESE AMERICANS
Defended their nation by
joining the military
Fought against relocation
Founded the Japanese
Americans Citizens League
(JACL)
Sought compensation for those
forced in internment camps
VOCABLUARY
1. James Farmer
2. GI Bill Of Rights
3. Congress of Racial Equality
4. Internment
5. Japanese American
Citizens League