WW2 and the economy Flashcards

1
Q

What did the USA produce during WW2?

A

The USA produced 86000 tanks, 296000 aircraft, and 15 million rifles during WW2.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

How did the war affect farmer’s income?

A

Farmer’s income grew by 250% during the war. More people left the countryside, allowing farms to get bigger and production to increase by 25%.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

What was the unemployment rate in 1944?

A

The unemployment rate in 1944 was 1.2%, which had fallen from 13.9% in 1940.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

How many black Americans were working for the federal government in 1939 and how many were working in 1944?

A

In 1939, there were 50000 black Americans working for the federal government. By 1944, this number had risen to 200000.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

How many black Americans moved to cities during WW2 and how many found jobs at defence plants?

A

During WW2, five million black Americans moved to cities. Of these, one million found jobs at defence plants.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

What percentage of teenage boys found work during WW2?

A

During WW2, 66% of teenage boys found work.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

How many teenagers entered the workforce during WW2?

A

During WW2, there was an increase of 1.9 million teenagers in the workforce.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

Why did many states have to change child labour laws?

A

Many states had to change child labour laws to facilitate the number of teens working.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

What did teens do with their new disposable income?

A

Teens developed new interests like new popular music and a sense of dress style, adopting zoot suit fashion associated with Hispanic Americans.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

How many teens were in high school in 1940 and 1944?

A

In 1940, there were 6.6 million teens in high school. In 1944, there were 5.6 million teens in high school.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

What drive was there in 1944

A

‘Back-to-school’ drive

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

Was the ‘Back-to-school’ drive successful?

A

No, it had limited success as young people were encouraged to contribute to the war effort by employers.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

How did the national debt increase during the war?

A

The national debt rose from $41 billion in 1941 to $260 billion in 1945 due to the war.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

How did Roosevelt hope to pay for the war?

A

Roosevelt hoped to pay for the war through increased taxes and the sale of war bonds.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

What was the tax rate for incomes over $200,000 during the war?

A

Incomes over $200,000 paid a 94% tax rate during the war.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

Did the number of taxpayers increase during the war?

A

Yes, the number of taxpayers increased from 7 million in 1940 to 42 million in 1944.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

What did the progressive nature of taxation during the war cause

A

A greater sense of equality

18
Q

How much income did war bonds provide for the government?

A

War bonds provided 50% of government income during the war.

19
Q

What is the Smith Act of 1940?

A

The Smith Act of 1940 made it illegal to threaten to overthrow the government and was initially aimed at fascists but later with communists.

20
Q

What is the Selective Service Act of 1940?

A

The Selective Service Act of 1940 introduced conscription and originally applied to men aged 21-35 but was later widened to include those aged 18-45.

21
Q

What is the Office of War Mobilization?

A

The Office of War Mobilization was established in 1943 and was responsible for controlling production, food prices, and rents during World War II.

22
Q

How did the government control food during World War II?

A

The government rationed food products like meat and petrol, and consumer products like clothes were made with less material and simpler designs

23
Q

How did the average American’s income compare to prices during World War II?

A

The average wage rose by 40%, while average prices rose by only 28%, meaning that most Americans paid more for goods during this time.

24
Q

What did WWII cause individuals to do

A

More people saved - $140bil in savings, spending power that boost post-war boom

25
Q

How many civilians moved to find work during the war?

A

27 million.

26
Q

What was the ratio of civilians who moved to find work?

A

1 in 8.

27
Q

Which directions did people move for work?

A

South to North, East to West.

28
Q

What happened to the divorce rate during the war?

A

It rose 20% to 29%.

29
Q

Why did youth crime rise during the war?

A

Due to absent fathers and working mothers, parental control was reduced

30
Q

How much did the population increase during the war

A

It rose by 6.5 million.

31
Q

How much did labour union membership increase from 1940 to 1945?

A

Labour union membership rose from 10.5 million in 1940 to 14.75 million in 1945.

32
Q

Why were workers well off during this time period?

A

Workers were well off as wages increased and there were opportunities for overtime.

33
Q

What did the American Federation of Labour and Congress of Industrial Organizations agree to do?

A

They agreed to avoid strikes in return for employers recognizing unions.

34
Q

Was there any unrest during this time period?

A

Yes, there was unrest in 1943 when 400,000 coal miners went on strike for 12 weeks.

35
Q

What was the government’s response to the 1943 Coal miners stike?

A

The government passed the 1943 Smith-Connally War Labour Disputes Act which allowed them to control essential industries faced with industrial action.

36
Q

Did the 1943 Smith-Connally War Labour Disputes Act break any strikes?

A

Yes, it broke the 1944 strike by public transport workers after FEPC ordered employers to employ black Americans as drivers.

37
Q

How many strikes were there between Pearl Harbour and VJ Day

A

14471 strikes involving 6774000 workers

38
Q

What industries advanced during WW2

A

electronics, telecommunications, and atomic energy

39
Q

How did Japan’s cut off of natural rubber supply affect the USA?

A

Japan’s cut off of 90% of the USA’s natural rubber supply in 1944 led to the conversion of petrol to synthetic rubber. This was so successful that 51 plants were operational by 1945 and the USA became the biggest exporter.

40
Q

What percentage of national income was spent on defense in 1937?

A

In 1937, less than 1.5% of national income was spent on defense.

41
Q

How much did the percentage of national income spent on defense rise to by 1945?

A

By 1945, the percentage of national income spent on defense had risen to 50%.

42
Q

By 1945 how much of the economy was dedicated to defence

A

33%