USA 1941 - 48: A Land united?

Question 1

Overview

Answer 1

• Japan entered the war after Japan attacked Pearl Harbour (Dev 7, 1941)
• Roosevelt joined Britain and Russia in a Grand Alliance
• The war brought the USA out of the depression
• The USA emerged from the war economically stronger than when it entered it
  *

Question 2

Evidence that US people supported the war effort

(General)

Answer 2

• Rationing was an ‘accepted’ part of wartime USA (Gasoline & meat)
• Restrictions placed on everyday life were generally observed (hunting & fishing banned)
• Millions of Americans grew what they needed in ‘Victory Gardens’
• A request by the War Production Board for 4 million tonnes of scrap metal in 2 months was easily met in 3 weeks, providing 5 million tonnes
• Americans contributed $129 billion to the war effort by buying war bonds
• Liberty ships were being turned out every 43 days by 1943

Question 3

How did the Government intervene in the lives of the US people during the war?

Answer 3

• Imposed a FEDERAL ‘victory tax’ on incomes and savings.
• More taxes on luxury goods - nylon & alcohol
• A War production board was established - to manage war industries
• Office of price administration - control prices and stamp out the black market
• Rationing
• Office of censorship
• Executive orders - esp.