America and World War II

Mobilizing for War

The US was unwilling and unprepared for war.

The people quickly banded together America would become the most productive

and efficient war-making machine in the world

The US played a crucial role in defeating Germany, Italy, and Japan.

Introduction

Victory depended on US industrial power.

Cost-Plus system◦ Under the cost-plus system, the more a company

produced and the faster it did the work, the more money it would make.

Reconstruction Finance Corporation (RFC)◦ Government agency set up during the Depression

now permitted to make loans to companies to help cover the cost of converting to war production.

Converting the Economy

The WPB was set up to prioritize the production of war materials being produced and control the distribution of raw materials and supplies. ◦ The WPB often clashed with military leaders who wanted the

priorities set differently

◦ The Office of War Mobilization (OWM) Set up to settle arguments between the different

agencies

The War Production Board

Selective Service and Training Act◦ A plan for the first peace time draft in American History

Creating and Building an Army

The Army did not know what to do with the new recruits◦ Troops used sticks to represent guns◦ Trucks drove around with big signs that read “TANK”◦ “Basic Training” did not train the new soldiers

effectively

Creating and Building an Army

A Segregated Army◦ African American soldiers were trained and units

were formed separately from white trainees and units

Creating and Building an Army

“Double V”◦ A victory over Hitler’s racism abroad and a victory over racism at home

◦ Roosevelt ordered the Army Air Force, Navy, and Marines to begin recruiting African Americans African Americans were also to be put into combat Benjamin O. Davis is appointed to brigadier general, the

highest ranking African American officer in the U.S. Army

Creating and Building an Army

African Americans in Combat◦ US Army Air Force creates the 99th Pursuit Squadron

These pilots became known as the Tuskegee Airmen

Creating and Building an Army

Women Join the Armed Forces◦ Women were encouraged to “release a man for

combat” Women’s Army Auxiliary Corps (WAAC)

◦ Oveta Culp Hobby: the WAAC’s first director◦ Later changed to Women’s Army Corps (the women

did not like the “auxiliary” part of the name)

Creating and Building an Army

Americans Go to War◦ The first troops were not well trained◦ No previous military experience◦ Performed well in battle◦ The US suffered the fewest casualties of all the other

countries.

Creating and Building an Army