WORLD WAR II’S IMPACT ON AMERICA

UNIT 8

AMERICA’S ECONOMY

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Rationing is the controlled distribution of scarce resources, goods, or services usually practiced at times of war.

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Ration Stamps were used during World War II. These were redeemable stamps or coupons.

of children, and income. Every family was issued a set number of each kind of stamp based on the size of the family, ages

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JAPANESE-AMERICANS

The U.S. government ordered the removal of Japanese-American citizens in 1942 after the attack on Pearl Harbor.

FDR issued Executive Order 9066 to relocate any citizen of Japanese decent into Internment Camps or War Relocation Camps. Around 110,000 Japanese-American citizens were relocated during World War II.

Korematsu v. United States

Order 9066 , (1944)

A landmark United States Supreme Court case

concerning the constitutionality of Executive

, which ordered Japanese Americans into internment camps during World War II regardless of citizenship.

In a 6–3 decision, the Court sided with the government, ruling that the exclusion order was constitutional.

AFRICAN-AMERICANS

 The Double V program was started by the Pittsburgh Courier, which was a newspaper for African Americans.

It emphasized fighting for two goals - victory over our enemies in the war and victory over the enemies of black people at home.

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President Truman issued EXECUTIVE ORDER 9981 to desegregate the military in 1948. This will be the first act of integration and will cause African Americans to demand integration in all aspects of society.

MEXICAN-AMERICANS

   Zoot suits were common attire amongst the Mexican American population.

Tension was rising between Anglo-Military personnel and Mexican Americans in Los Angeles, California after the Sleepy Lagoon Murder trial where a young Latino boy was killed. The ZOOT-SUIT RIOTS took place in 1943 mainly in California.

WOMEN

 During the War, men were enlisting in the military allowing for many jobs to open. Women began taking on traditional-male jobs involving heavy machinery.

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ROSIE THE RIVETER became an iconic propaganda poster during World War II, which supported females working in these “male” jobs.

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After the war was over, many women returned home to allow the men to get their jobs back. This resulted in the “baby boom”, a major influx in the birth rate.

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AMERICAN SOLDIERS & VETERANS

Previously, returning soldiers did not receive any benefits and struggled to find jobs. 

In 1945, the GI-BILL was passed to help returning soldiers. Benefits included low-cost mortgages, low interest loans to start a business, cash payments of tuition and living expenses to attend university, high school or vocational education, as well as one year of unemployment compensation.

EXIT TICKET

 1. Which American groups were effected in a negative way during World War 2? Justify your answer. Why or how was the effect negative?  2. Which American groups were effected in a positive way during World War 2? Justify your answer. Why or how was the effect positive?