WORLD WAR II
THE HOME FRONT
Bell Ringer
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List three things that
Americans
experienced during
World War II on the
home front.
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Objective: Through
notes, article reading,
and discussion students
will identify the
experiences of
Americans on the
Home front
The War Economy
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Ended the Great Depression
Era of industrial expansion
Increase in Personal incomepoorest 20% rose nearly 70%
Union membership grew from
10.5 million in 1941 to 13.5
million in 1945
War Labor Board-Protected the
right of labor to form unions,
encouraged an 8 hour working
day, safety inspections, and no
child labor
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Smith-Connally Act- gave the
govt. right to seize and operate
industries threatened by or under
strikes that would interfere with
war production.
War Production Board-Over saw
purchase, production, and
distribution of war materials.
Urged people to ration
resources.
Office of Price Administration
Women at War
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Thrust into “inappropriate”
roles such as factory work,
heavy industrial jobs.
Known as “Rosies.”
Produced problems like
discrimination, “Latch Key
Children” or “eight hour
orphans.”
Most women worked in
service-sector jobs,
especially for the
government. “Government
Girls.”
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About 200,000 women
joined the military. One
called WAAC (Women’s
Army Auxiliary Corps) had
women be mail carriers,
mechanics, clerical work,
nurses, ambulance drivers,
pilots, radio operators.
All the day long,
Whether rain or shine,
She's a part of the assembly line.
She's making history,
Working for victory,
Rosie the Riveter.
Keeps a sharp lookout for sabotage,
Sitting up there on the fuselage.
That little girl will do more than a male will do.
Rosie's got a boyfriend, Charlie.
Charlie, he's a Marine.
Rosie is protecting Charlie,
Working overtime on the riveting machine.
When they gave her a production "E,"
She was as proud as she could be.
There's something true about,
Red, white, and blue about,
Rosie the Riveter.
You know
you’ve
arrived when
Mattel makes
an action
figure out of
you!
Good Afternoon!
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Bell Ringer:
1. Name one government agency
established to oversee the home
front economy
2. Name one military
organization women joined
during WWII
3. What was one name given to
children whose mothers worked
in the factories?

Objective: Through
notes, article reading,
and discussion students
will identify the
experiences of
Americans on the
Home front
Women and Propaganda
Dr. Seuss!
African Americans during WWII
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As you read the article
answer the following
questions…
1. What was the act that banned
racial discrimination in selective
service?
2. Why was Capt. Benjamin O.
Davis Jr. chosen to lead the 99th?
3. How successful were the 332nd
fighters in the European theater?
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4. What was the name of
Truman’s executive order to
outlaw discrimination in the
armed forces?
5. What were some of the
limitations placed on the airmen
during their training experiences?
Black Americans in Armed Forces
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Fought Nazi racism while
experiencing racism
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1 mil black Americans served
Black-only units w/ white
officers (segregation)
1944: African-Americans
fight!
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1944: Marines allow blacks to
fight; before limited to
transport, cooks & labor
Distinguished service in Battle
of the Bulge, Iwo Jima
332nd Fighter Squadron
legendary; “Tuskegee
Airmen”
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Navy had worst
discrimination
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Only 58 black officers by end
of war
Blacks given worst jobs, like
loading ammo ships
Welcome Back!

Bell ringer: What was
the name of AfricanAmerican squadron
that fought in the
North African and
Italian campaigns?
African Americans in the Work Place
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African-Americans answer the
call
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400,000 immigrated from South
On average, doubled wages to
$1000/year
Discrimination follows immigrants
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Black workers made 1/2 white
workers’ pay
FDR’s Exec Order 8802
supposed to end pay
discrimination in defense work;
ignored
1942, Packard Electronics,
Detroit: 3,000 white workers &
managers walk out when 3 black
Americans given raises due to EO
8802
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Race riots in 47 cities; worst in
Detroit June-July 1943
Despite troubles, WWII sowed
seeds of Civil Rights Movement in
1950s-60s
Japanese-Americans
Good Afternoon!
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What was the name
for the two groups of
Japanese Americans
living in the United
States?
What was the name of
the executive order
given by Roosevelt?
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Objective: Through
analyzing the court
case Korematsu v. US
students will identify
reasons for and
against the internment
of Japanese
Americans
Japanese Americans
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Nisei- American born who
had Japanese heritage.
35,000 fought in the war.
Isei-Native Japanese who
moved to the United States.
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1942- FDR signed
Executive Order 9066. All
Japanese Americans
suspected of being loyal to
Japan would be detained
in Interment Camps. (last
camp closed in 1946)
Korematsu V. United States
5,000 left and went to live
in Japan.
Outcome…
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Civil Liberties Act of
1988 contained a
formal apology -- as
well as provisions for
monetary reparations
to the Japanese
Americans interned
during the war.
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In 1998, President Bill
Clinton awarded Fred
Korematsu the
Presidential Medal of
Freedom.
The redress program
made $20,000
payments to 82,210
Japanese Americans
or their heirs
Gordon Hirabayashi
Good Afternoon…
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Bell Ringer: Answer
Review Questions

Objective: Through
notes, discussion, video
clip, and activity,
students will
understand how the
Navajo language was
used in World War II.
Native Americans
Less discriminated that
African Americans
► 25,000 saw service,
including Navajo Code
Talkers.
► However, Native
Americans on
reservations did not
benefit from the war
time economy.
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Activity….
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With a partner…
1. Write your partner’s
name out in Navajo
2. Write your neighbor
a message in Navajo
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3. Write out a military
message in Navajo
Zoot Suit Riots
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Series of riots in LA in August, 1942
between white Sailors and Marines
and Latino youths, recognized by the
Zoot suits they wore.