Topic 6 - America during the Second World War (1939-1945) Flashcards Preview

Paper 1D: America 1920-1973 CORE CONTENT > Topic 6 - America during the Second World War (1939-1945) > Flashcards

Flashcards in Topic 6 - America during the Second World War (1939-1945) Deck (21)
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1
Q

When was the Lend Lease programme introduced?

A

March 1941

2
Q

How did the Lend Lease programme work?

A

The U.S. loaned war materials to its allies (e.g. Britain, France, the Soviet Union). Most war goods not destroyed would be returned after the war.

3
Q

Give three examples of materials that the U.S. sent to its allies under Lend Lease.

A

Arms (weapons, vehicles etc.)
Food
Medicine

4
Q

Altogether, what was the value of the war materials shipped to other countries under Lend Lease ($)?

A

$50.1 billion

5
Q

How many new businesses started up during the war?

A

More than 500,000

6
Q

How many Americans worked in factories during WWII?

A

14 million

7
Q

By how much did General Motors increase its workforce by during the war?

A

750,000

8
Q

How many workers moved from the rural south to work in factories in the north during the war?

A

4 million

9
Q

What group did Roosevelt set up in January 1942 to boost wartime production?

A

The War Production Board

10
Q

Who was asked to attend the War Production Board?

A

America’s leading industrialists (major business owners).

11
Q

What percentage of America’s industrial contracts went to the top 100 firms?

A

80%

12
Q

Give two examples of companies who prospered during the war.

A

Coca-Cola

Wrigley’s

13
Q

What were Americans encouraged to invest their income in during the war?

A

War bonds

14
Q

What happened when Americans bought war bonds?

A

After the war, the bonds would be paid back by the government with interest.

15
Q

How much was spent by Americans to buy war bonds during the war ($)?

A

$129 billion

16
Q

How did the Lend Lease programme help U.S. industry to grow?

A

The majority of contracts for equipment were with U.S. businesses → increased production → provided jobs → more spending.

17
Q

Why did World War Two reduce unemployment in America?

A
  1. Lend Lease → American businesses had to increase production to supply equipment to allies → more workers were needed e.g. in factories (→ more spending → increased production → more jobs → more spending etc).
  2. America entered the war in December 1941 → needed weapons, equipment etc. for its own war effort → production had to increase → more workers were needed.
  3. Increasing demand for workers → wages increased → more spending → businesses made greater profits, and new businesses were set up to meet demand → more jobs.
18
Q

Why did leading industrialists support the Democrat government during the Second World War?

A
  1. Large firms / businesses believed they would make a lot of money out of the war (by manufacturing war materials) → supported Roosevelt and co-operated with him.
  2. War Production Board set up → Roosevelt asked leading industrialists for their advice on how to meet war production needs → Roosevelt won their support.
19
Q

How did World War Two help existing American companies to grow?

A
  1. Some existing companies (e.g. Coca-Cola) followed American troops around the world to provide them with their products → set up factories around the world → became popular around the world → increased production → increased profit (→ more jobs → more spending).
  2. Some existing companies gained additional work (e.g. Wrigley’s packaged rations for U.S. forces) → gained greater popularity (e.g. Wrigley’s added their chewing gum to the rations) → increased production → increased profit (→ more jobs → more spending).
20
Q

Why did World War Two help agriculture to grow in America?

A

USA exported food to help its allies → increased demand for U.S. farm produce → prices increased → U.S. farmers’ profits increased.

21
Q

Why was the American government able to spend more money during the Second World War?

A
  1. Leading industrialists supported the war → Roosevelt had enough support to raise taxes and spend government money.
  2. Americans contributed $129 billion to the war effort by buying war bonds → gave the government money to spend on wartime production.