The USA and the Second World War Flashcards
1
Q
What was US forces role in WW2 in Europe?
A
- US forces played key role in successful D-Day landings on June 1944, with Supreme Commander Eisenhower
- After D-Day, allies with strong US military presence advanced quickly into Germany
2
Q
What was US forces role in WW2 in Far East?
A
- Battle of Midway in which US fleet defeated Japanese counterpart
- USA focused on regaining some of lost territory as a first step in land war against Japan with strategy of Island hopping by US forces
- Japan refused to surrender despite US demands
- President Truman made decision to use atomic bombs: dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945: brought end to war in pacific
3
Q
What were the political effects of WW2?
- in terms of control of peoples lives
A
- took more control over peeps lives
- 1940: Smith Act made it illegal to threaten to overthrow gov in US
- later became associated with attack on Communism
- The Selective Service Act 1941: introduced conscription
4
Q
What were the political effects of WW2?
- legislation relation to war?
A
- The Office of War Mobilization created to control supply of goods and prices
- National War Labor Board set wages
- 1942 War Management Commission: had to recruit workers
- Office of Scientific Research and Development mobilised thousands of scientists
5
Q
What was set up to control inflation?
A
- The Office of Price Administration and Civilian Supply set up 1941 to control inflation
- 1942: it froze prices to prevent inflation
- had power to control almost all prices and ration scarce items
- almost 90% of food items subject to price controls
6
Q
Economic effects of WW2
how did it benefit economically?
- inc women and AA
A
- better than new deal; ~9 mil out of work by 1941
- 1941-1945 USA produced 86,000 tanks, 296,000 aircraft and 15 mill rifles
- Farm income grew by 250%
- Unemployment effectively ceased by 1942
- 1944: 6.5 million women in labour force; end ~ 60% employed
- N. of AA working for fed gov rose from 50,000 in 1939 to 200,000 by 1944
- during war: 5 mill AA moved to the cities where 1mill found jobs in defence plants
- GNP rose from $91.3 bill to $166.6 bill: during war
- prices rose by 28% during war years, average wage by 40%
7
Q
What were the negative economic effects of the war?
A
- food prices and rents were strictly controlled under Office of War Mobalization
- some items - meat sugar petrol - rationed
- production of cars for ordinary motorists stopped
- clothes made from less mats
- national debt which stood at $41 billion in 1941: risen to $260 billion by 1945
- fed gov spent twice as much between 1941-1945 as it had before in 150 years
- Roosevelt increased taxes to pay for war production: highest earners paid 94% tax
- gave greater sense of equality
8
Q
What were the social effects of the war?
- Treatment of Japanese Americans?
A
- 1941: US-Japanese relations worsened: 2000 Japanese labelled subversives –> rounded up
- Increasing fears of Japanese attack on the West Coast–> calls for internment
- Dewitt, responsible for West Coast security gave into pressure
9
Q
describe relocation of Japanese Americans
A
- Feb-Mar 1942: 15,000 Japanese Americans voluntarily left Dewitt’s area of command
- other areas of US refused to accept them
- 10 “relocation centres” set up throughout West, where 100,000 JA forcibly sent
- Had to leave property unprotected; much looting happened
- community suffered estimated losses worth $400 million
- centres akin to concentration camps
- Riots in camp at Manzanar left 2 inmates dead
10
Q
Describe the end of internment of Japanese Americans?
A
- 1944 as fear of Japanese attack receded, internees began to return home
- Dec 1944 Supreme Court forbade internment of loyal JA
- ill-feeling remained for those involved
11
Q
Describe effects of WW2 on women?
how many female workers during war?
A
- beginning of WW2: 13 mill female workers and height of war in 1944: 19 mill; considered inferior still
12
Q
Describe effects of WW2 on women?
positive
A
- Eleanor Roosevelt (first lady) powerful spokeswoman for female workers during war
- even worked in traditionally “male” occupations
- 1/3 aircraft workers and 1/2 in electronics and munitions women
- 1942: poll showed 60% of Americans in favour of women helping with the war industries
- Some US sates made equal pay between men and woman compulsory; others tried to protect women from workplace discrimination
13
Q
Describe effects of WW2 on women?
Negative
A
- 1940s: women still expected - mother and wife
- racial discrimination continued
- AA women were almost always last to be hired
- “hate strikes” e.g at Packard car factory in Detroit cuz employment of AA women
- end of war most women gave up wartime jobs
- women generally excluded from top, well-paid jobs
- on average, women earned 50-60% of wage that men earned for same job
- 1944: average weekly wage for working women: $31.21 and for men $56.65
- a woman could be dismissed from job when married
14
Q
What was the effect of WW2 on African Americans?
A
- 1940 12.9 million AA in USA
- census showed almost 5.4 mill employed - 3.5 male
- mostly menial jobs, low paid
- average annual wage for men $537 and in 1939: $331 for women
- both earned less than half of white counterparts
- when war broke out took on white workers
- survey conducted by US Employment Office in 1940: indicated that more than half would not employ AA
15
Q
What was the Double V Campaign?
A
- AA newspaper, Pittsburgh Courier created Double V Campaign
- meant victory at home in terms of improved civil rights as well as victory abroad against fascism and dictatorship
- published numerous articles, letters and photographs
- black newspapers across US began to support campaign
