3.12 Impact of WW2

Question 1

What did the Smith Act of 1940 make illegal?

Answer 1

It made it illegal to threaten to overthrow the government

Aimed at fascism supporters

Question 2

What was the purpose of the Selective Service Act of 1940?

Answer 2

It introduced conscription

Question 3

What was the role of the Office of War Mobilisation?

Answer 3

To control the supply of goods and prices

Question 4

What did the National War Labour Board do?

Answer 4

Set wages

Question 5

What was the function of the Office of Scientific Research and Development during WWII?

Answer 5

Mobilised thousands of scientists to develop new methods of death and new methods of saving lives

Question 6

What was the purpose of the Office of Price Administration and Civilian Supply established in August 1941?

Answer 6

To control inflation

Question 7

What regulation did the Office of Price Administration issue in April 1942?

Answer 7

General Maximum Price regulation which froze prices at March 1942 levels

Question 8

What percentage of food items were subject to price controls during WWII?

Answer 8

Almost 90%

Question 9

What change occurred regarding the role of the president after WWII?

Answer 9

The president does not stand down after 2 terms

Question 10

How did WWII impact economic recovery compared to the New Deal?

Answer 10

WWII was more significant for economic recovery

Question 11

What was the unemployment rate in 1940 and 1944?

Answer 11

14.6% in 1940 and 1.2% in 1944

Question 12

By how much did farm income grow during WWII?

Answer 12

250%

Question 13

How many women entered the workforce during WWII?

Answer 13

6.5 million women

Question 14

What was the status of the National Debt from 1941 to 1945?

Answer 14

Rose from $41 billion to $260 billion

Question 15

What percentage tax did higher earners pay during WWII?

Answer 15

94%

Question 16

What was the impact on wealthy and poor individuals during the war years?

Answer 16

The poor grew more wealthy while the rich received a smaller proportion of national income

Question 17

What were Japanese Americans labeled as in 1941?

Answer 17

Subversives

Question 18

Who dismissed the idea of Japanese internment as ‘damned nonsense’?

Answer 18

Chief of the Army West Coast Command, Dewitt

Question 19

What led to the decision for compulsory relocation of Japanese Americans?

Answer 19

The inability to distinguish between loyal and traitorous Japanese

Question 20

How many Japanese Americans were forcibly relocated?

Answer 20

100,000

Question 21

What was the financial loss suffered by the Japanese community due to internment?

Answer 21

$400 million

Question 22

What was the role of women in the workforce during the 1940s?

Answer 22

Traditionally seen as wives and mothers but many took on jobs in male-dominated industries

Question 23

What was the average wage of African Americans compared to whites in 1939?

Answer 23

Less than half of white counterparts

Question 24

Who organized the March on Washington Movement?

Answer 24

A. Philip Randolph

Had been appalled at the discrimination as a leading African American activist.

Question 25

What was the outcome of the March on Washington Movement?

Answer 25

After the march of up to 100,000 demonstraters, FDR issued Executive Order 8802 and set up the Fair Employment Practices Commission

Question 26

What did the Fair Employment Practices Commission (FEPC) 1941 do?

Answer 26

Investigated complaints and took action against employment discrimination and investigated 8000 instances of discrimination.

Set up in 1941 as a result of Executive Order 8802

Question 27

What were the conditions faced by African Americans in the armed forces?

Answer 27

Inferior training, few facilities, and serious mistreatment

Question 28

What was the highest rank achieved by African American soldiers during WWII?

Answer 28

1st lieutenant

Question 29

What was the name of the all African American flying unit?

Answer 29

Tuskegee Airmen (332nd Fighter Group)

Won great acclaim as fighter escorts for US bombers