History Unit 1

Question 1

war production Board

Answer 1

est. Jan 1942 –> executive order –> war production & general economy

Question 2

what did the war production board do?

Answer 2

-converted industries to war-related needs
-allocated & prioritized the distribution of raw materials
-Limited production of non-essential goods
-Paid for new plants to be built (e.g 50 rubber factories)
-Reimbursed business for costs, guaranteed profits
-suspended anti-trust laws

Question 3

Why did the US suspend anti-trust laws during this period?

Answer 3

Due to larger corporations having more flexibility to adapt to war industries overtaking the smaller businesses–> whatever gives the most production

Question 4

Office of War mobilization

Answer 4

Created with a lot of expansive powers –> the rate of production
rub by James F Byrnes–> “Assistant President”

Question 5

what was the slogan that was used for production against the axis powers?

Answer 5

“We must out produce them overwhelmingly”

Question 6

what are examples of the office of war mobilization in effects of production?

Answer 6

B-24 Liberator rolled off the line every 63 minutes
1944: US but more planes than Japan produced 1939-1945
Liberty cargo Ship but in 4-6 days

Question 7

War Manpower commission

Answer 7

-Balanced the labor needs of agriculture, industry, and the armed forces

Question 8

How_did_war manpower commission assign people in the workforce?

Answer 8

-used skills & experience to place workers + train others
-worked with management & major labor unions to establish rules limiting worker movement
-reallocated workers from unnecessary civilian jobs
-reassigned veterans returning from active duty
-recruited women and minorities

Question 9

Office of Price Administration

Answer 9

est. May 1941
- est. price wage & rent controls —> combat inflation
rationing program —> ensure fair distribution & reduce demand

Question 10

What other office was created to work alongside the OPA (office of Price Administration) to cover wages, food prices, & overall cost of living issues

Answer 10

Office of Economic Stabilization

Question 11

What were other government programs doing to help the economy?

Answer 11

increasing taxes
promoting shift to income to war bonds
reduce inflationary pressure

Question 12

National War Labor Board goal?

Answer 12

prevent labor conflicts that would interfere with production

Question 13

what was the national war labor board’s goal / aim look like? `

Answer 13

“no strike no lockout” pledge
made up of politicians, business, & labor
mediate disputes, intruded if necessary(incl.plant_takeovers)augment_benefits

Question 14

What other jobs did the national war labor board have?

Answer 14

control wages (larger industries)
- “little steel formula” –> increases tied to cost of living
-correct inter – intra plant inequities
-equal pay for equal work

Question 15

office of civilian defense

Answer 15

to protect and care for the population in event of a bombing attack

Question 16

what did the duties of the civilian defense force include?

Answer 16

-air raid procedures & blackout drills
-protect against fire
-outfitting & equipping shelters
-plane spotters

Question 17

how many volunteers did the office of civilian defense have?

Answer 17

11 million

Question 18

office of war information (lowkey propaganda)

Answer 18

-coordinated dissemination of wartime info
-education of the public
-expectations for civilian participation

Question 19

who did the office of war information work closely with ?

Answer 19

Hollywood–> to advance war aims and promote American civilization & values

Question 20

What platforms promoted propaganda campaigns abroad?

Answer 20

-Voice of American Radio
-Psychological warfare branch
-leaflets over enemy territory
-foreign newspapers & magazines
-promote US war aims

Question 21

Why did African Americans participate in the war effort for a country that treated them as subhuman?

Answer 21

Participation in war effort —> lead to civil rights
Duty, honor, & shared sacrifice would change minds

Question 22

What were the obstacles surrounding African American employment?

Answer 22

-companies were reluctant to hire blacks at first
- 50% refused

Question 23

who was the civil rights leader that demanded equality in hiring opportunity (march on D.C)

Answer 23

A. Philip Randolph

Question 24

why did FDR want to stop the march on D.C so much?

Answer 24

The march was highly televised —> unmasking/ embarrassing Americans as a hypocrite
fighting for democracy and equality when it is not even practiced at home

Question 25

What did FDR do in negotiation for Randolph to call off the march on D.C?

Answer 25

Executive order preventing discrimination
Fair employment Practices Commission –> for compliance

Question 26

FEPC (Fair Employment Practices Commission) did what?

Answer 26

-investigated discrimination complaints

Question 27

What were the actions FDR did too enact fair employment for minorities?

Answer 27

-1st executive order : preventing discrimination in the workforce
-fair employment practices commission
-2nd executive (1943)–> gave the FEPC more power & money

Question 28

What were the effects of FEPC?

Answer 28

Civilian jobs for Blacks >x2
gov’t jobs x3
union membership increased
jobs = underpaid high discrimination

Question 29

African Americans in the war