CH 35 Notes Part 1 (text) 36 (DE)America in World War II 1941-1945
To “rising sun in the pacific” p 838 (de)
“Never before have we had so little time in which to do so much.”
FDR-1942
“Whoever stabs a king must stab to kill.” –unknown
The USA was not dead.
Intro
Pearl Harbor brought the USA into WWII –a humiliating defeat—THE DEMOCRATIC WORLD TEETERED ON THE EDGE OF DISASTER—What would the outcome be? What sacrifices would we have to make as citizens due to the severity of this crisis that confronted us? As a Nation would we survive? How many would die---could we survive? NO ONE KNEW THE ANSWERS TO THESE QUESTIONS!!!! THE WORLD TEETERED FOR SURE---AND IT TOOK THE SACRIFICE OF OUR GREATEST GENERATION---to be here today---comfortably examining what happened.
America was resolved to avenge the massacre at Pearl Harbor. “Get Japan First,” was the cry from millions of Americans.
In DC—however, and in London, they perceived the greatest and most significant threat to be Nazi Germany---and sign the ABC-1 Agreement****—which calls for getting Germany first. They believed that if they put their focus on Japan first Hitler could defeat both the USSR and Great Britain before we would be able to make a difference--- So the ABC-1 plan called for a focus on Germany and once this was settled down somewhat they would team up on Japan.
American Strategy from this point forward was completely based on the ABC-1 Plan---get Germany first. ALL MILITARY STRATEGY IN WW2 IS BASED ON THIS IDEA.
Many people were not happy with this; soldiers stationed in the Pacific who felt abandoned---the Chinese and Australian allies, BUT FDR resisted those criticisms and pressures and focused on the plan.
Questions to consider:
1.How was America transformed from peacetime to a wartime economy? What were the steps that America took to mobilize for their war with the Axis powers?
2.What was the impact of the war on domestic America?
3.What was America’s strategy for winning the war against the Axis powers?
4.What turned the tide of the war in the Pacific for American troops?
5.How did World War II end and what were the terms of settlement?
6.What was the significance of the dropping of the atomic bomb, then and now?
Themes:
Unified by Pearl Harbor, America effectively carried out a war mobilization effort that produced vast social and economic changes within American society. Following its “get Hitler first” strategy, the United States and its Allies invaded and liberated conquered Europe from Fascist rule. The slower strategy of island hopping against Japan also proceeded successfully until the atomic bomb brought a sudden end to World War II.
Quotes:
“This is an hour of crisis… To American Negroes, it is the denial of jobs in government defense projects. It is racial discrimination in government departments. It is widespread Jim-Crowism in the armed forces of the Nation… What a runaround! What a disgrace! What a blow below the belt!” (Call for March on Washington, 1941) A. Phillip Randolph
“Americans love to fight, traditionally. All real Americans love the sting and clash of battle. America loves a winner. America will not tolerate a loser.” (Speech to his troops before D-Day, 1944)
General George Patton
The Allies Trade Space for Time
The United States had “potential”—however—wars are not won with potential they are won by actions.
We came perilously close to losing this war.
Time, was the most important factor---could we do enough—soon enough?
Expense was not an issue—THE OVERWHELMING PROBLEM WAS TO “RE-TOOL” OUR INDUSTRIES FOR WAR PRODUCTION—While hoping that the Axis powers did not gain too much while we did so… IT WAS A RACE, of sorts, German scientists were testing atomic power, missiles, and jet engines---WE HAD TO WIN—OR ELSE!
Compared to WWI, America’s task was far more complex and took an enormous sacrifice (mandatory not voluntary) from the American People---It had to feed, clothe, and arm itself---as well as transport its forces to regions as far separated as Britain and Burma---AND –THE USA had to send a vast amount of food and munitions to its Allies around the World—from the USSR to Australia---
Could the American People, supposedly “soft,” complete this Herculean task in time?
Was Democracy “rotten” and “decadent” as Hitler said?
The Shock of War- Executive Order 9066 and forced “relocation”
We were unified, as never before—regardless of where you came from ---dissension was virtually non-existent---HOWEVER
1200 Japanese citizens were arrested after Pearl Harbor--
The AMERICANS (citizens)—who were of Japanese descent, “NISEI” OR “SANSEI” were treated as “aliens,” in their own country. (110,000)
Most lived along the Pacific Coast---OUR Gov’t decided that they were a threat of espionage and sabotage, especially if they lived near “sensitive areas”---and forced them into camps. 10 Camps were built and run by the WRA (War Relocation Authority) --
On February 19, 1942, President Roosevelt signed Executive Order 9066 granting the War Department broad powers to create military exclusion areas. Although the order did not identify any particular group, in practice it was used almost exclusively to intern Americans of Japanese descent. By 1943, more than 110,000 Japanese Americans had been forced from their homes and moved to camps in remote inland areas of the United States.
“American leaders were robbed of their good sense-and sense of justice.”
In Hawaii, where over 150,000 Japanese-Americans lived---only 1200 -1800 were interned?
Korematsu v. United States, 1944************huge**********************************************
In 1944 the Supreme Court upheld the CONSTITUTIONALITY of the removal ---the Supreme Court avoided ruling on the issue of INCARCERATION OF U.S. CITIZENS WITH NO DUE PROCESS.********
The Court does not overturn the Korematsu conviction until the 1980’s***it was found that the US Government had altered, suppressed, and withheld important information from the Supreme Court---this evidence was in the National Archives***
The rulings of the Supreme Court, specifically its expansive interpretation of government powers during wartime, HAVE YET TO BE OVERTURNED ---THEY ARE STILL THE LAW OF THE LAND****
Internees could only take what they could “carry” into camps.
Internees lost their right to own land---and had to in a few days try to ‘sell’ their property. 4-5 $$BILLION DOLLARS IN LOST HOMES AND PROPERTY—
“We have no common race in this country, but we have an ideal to which all of us are loyal: we cannot progress if we look down upon any group of people amongst us because of race or religion. Every citizen in this country has a right to our basic freedoms, to justice and to equality of opportunity. We retain the right to lead our individual lives as we please, but we can only do so if we grant to others the freedoms that we wish for ourselves.” Eleanor Roosevelt- after visiting the Gila River Relocation Camp in Arizona, 1943
Note: The Question of loyalty—****
The 100th Battalion and 442 Regimental Combat Team –“The Purple Heart Battalion”
14,000 soldiers served –4,340 individual Medals were earned- 21 Medals of Honor, 8 Presidential Unit Citations (awarded for extraordinary acts of heroism against enemy armed forces), 52 Distinguished Service crosses, 560 Silver Stars, 4000 Bronze Stars, 30 Division Commendations, 9,486 Purple Hearts.
Several months after Pearl Harbor America barred Americans of Japanese decent from military service.
The War-time Gov. of Hawaii created an all “Nisei” (American born of Japanese decent) Guard Unit and sent them to Camp McCoy in Wisconsin for battle training—They become the 100th infantry battalion. The first all-Nisei unit in our history. May 1942-January 1943- they were formally approved by Chief of Staff George Marshall.
Originally the entire unit was from Hawaii—but men from the relocation camps were enlisted as well. They fought for 20 months in North Africa and Italy. THEY WERE THE MOST DECORATED UNIT IN THE HISTORY OF AMERICAN WARFARE.
“You not only fought the enemy… you fought prejudice and won.” – President Harry S. Truman 1945
The Shock of War—continued
The War prompted other changes –many New Deal programs were ended due to war-time needs. “Dr. New Deal was replaced by Dr. Win-the War.” FDR(1943)
Building the War Machine
The War dramatically improved the national economy. MASSIVE MILITARY ORDERS- $100 Billion in 1942 alone—caused our industrial capacity to BOOM.
WAR PRODUCTION BOARD-**** Orchestrated the conversion of ALL INDUSTRY to war-time production AND halted the manufacture of nonessential items, assigned priorities for transportation and access to raw materials—a national speed limit was introduced to save rubber—and they built 51 synthetic rubber plants—they also rationed gasoline. American factories produced: 40 billion bullets, 300,000 aircrafts, 76,000 ships, and 2.6 million machine guns.
Office of Price Administration – full employment and a scarcity of consumer goods drove up prices (inflation)—The OPA regulated prices and rationed goods (1942) such as; tires, gasoline, meat and butter. By 1943 you needed a government issued ration coupons to purchase—coffee, sugar, meat, cheese, butter, lard, margarine, canned foods, dried fruits, jam, bicycles, fuel oil, clothing, silk, nylons, shoes, and many other items—Automobiles and Home appliances were no longer made.
To get a book of rationing coupons—you had to appear before a local board—Each person in a household received a ration book including babies and children.
War Labor Board- had to regulate wages –and did so imposing ceilings on wage increases.
Congress to control the labor unions passes the SMITH-CONNALY ANTI-STRIKE ACT (1943) –This act allowed the Government to seize and operate ANY business that was tied up due to strikes. The US Government took over the Coal mines and Railroads –both for brief periods---OVERALL THE UNIONS SUPPORTED THE WAR EFFORT—LESS THAN 1% OF WORK WAS SLOWED BY STRIKES DURING THE WAR***
MANPOWER AND WOMANPOWER****The unemployment rate dropped from 17.2 % in 1939 to 1.9% in 1945 *** (the depression was over )
THE ARMED SERVICES ENLISTED 15 MILLION MEN IN WW2 AND 216,000 WOMEN.
The women served in the WAACs (army), WAVES (navy), and SPARs (Coast Guard)
All service personnel were known as GI’s (Government Issue)
Certain “KEY WORKERS” WERE –EXEMPTED from the Draft—From Military Service—Industrial and Agricultural workers (specialized) – but there were severe shortages in the workforce---especially in agricultural areas---The “Bracero Program” ***************was instituted to bring workers from Mexico beginning in 1942—thousands came to the USA to make up the needed workforce—THIS PROGRAM LASTS FOR 20 YEARS AFTER THE WAR****THIS LARGE INCREASE LEADS TO IN LOS ANGELES—CONFLICT—BETWEEN WHITES AND HISPANICS—THE 1943 “ZOOT-SUIT RIOTS”****
Women in the workforce******** about 25 -30% of the total workforce***
More than 6 million took up jobs outside the home***over ½ had never worked for wages before… The US Government HAD TO CREATE “DAY CARE” CENTERS to take care of the children of working mothers--- 3000 day care centers were built***”Rosie the Riveter” became the nickname for these 6 million working women---THE WAR FORESHADOWS A REVOLUTION IN ROLE OF WOMEN IN AMERICAN SOCIETY************** However—after the war ends over 2/3rds of women war workers left the workforce****MANY ARE FORCED OUT---THE IMMEDIATE POST-WAR PERIOD DID NOT GIVE A PERMANENT WIDENING OF EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES FOR WOMEN—but a wide-spread rush into “suburban domesticity” and mothering the “baby-boomers (me)” who were born between 1945-1963 –tens of millions****huge impact****
WAR-TIME Internal Migration****huge*** (also phase 2 of the African-American “Great Migration”
Few events in American History have moved the American People about so massively as WWII. The WEST and SOUTH Boomed*** 400% increase (census bureau) and several War-Industry cities (Los Angeles, Detroit, Seattle, Baton Rouge for example) grew EXPLOSIVELY** 1.6 MILLION Blacks left the South during this period—the 2nd phase of the “Great Migration.” ******
WWII led to a dramatic “demographic” change in the USA. During and After the War---PEOPLE MOVED*** between 1941-1947 21.5 % of the American population moved (census bureau) California went from the 21st most populous state in 1900- (equal with Kansas) to the 2nd most populous state by 1950.
Problems:
FDR had called “The South” the nations #1 economic problem in 1938.
$6 Billion dollars of “War funding” went to the South—(compared to $8.6 Billion in California alone) [one reason for the Boom]
This is the “seed” of the post-war “Sunbelt” boom of the South and West—
African-Americans at home--
1.6 million Blacks left the South during WWII for jobs in the Northeast and West—forever after, race relations BECAME A NATIONAL ISSUE –not just a southern issue****5 million more left before 1970-over ½ living outside the South*****
******A. Phillip Randolph, head of the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters Union, and the NAACP team up to bring issues of discrimination to the attention of FDR****Explosive tensions developed over employment, housing, and segregated facilities at WAR JOBS---and in the military---The NAACP and Randolph began to organize a “MARCH ON WASHINGTON,” To demand equal opportunities for Blacks in War Jobs and in the Armed Forces (still segregated).
FDR RESPONDS—issuing EXECUTIVE ORDER 8802***** (This order to many begins the “modern civil rights movement”) Which prohibited the practice of racial discrimination in the hiring process by national defense contractors—to promote equal opportunity.
“The democratic way of life within the nation can be defended successfully only with the help and support of all groups… there is evidence available that needed workers have been barred from industries engaged in defense production solely because of their race to the detriment of national unity.”
The order also created the FEPC (Fair Employment Practices Commission) – to monitor compliance with order # 8802.
THE DOUBLE-V CAMPAIGN—VICTORY OVER THE DICTATORS ABROAD AND OVER RACISM AT HOME*****
Holding the Home Front
The War invigorated the American Economy—GNP in 1940 was $100billion—by 1945 it was $200billion—disposable personal income (after taxes) DOUBLED 2X—Corporate Profits went from $6 Billion to $12 Billion—
The rest of the world was in a smoking ruin---We will have to help rebuild the world****
The Nation’s Universities grow with Federal Funding—(and later with the GI Bill) –The Office of Scientific Research and Development (later RAND Corp) funnels millions of dollars into University-based scientific research—establishing the partnership between the government and universities that funds the TECHNOLOGICAL AND ECONOMIC LEADERSHIP OF THE WORLD IN THE POST-WAR ERA.*******
WW2 cost $330 billion---10x WWI—twice (2x) as much AS ALL GOVERNMENT SPENDING FROM 1776 UNTIL 1941********
2/5THS (40%) WAS PAID WITH REVENUE—(60% WAS BORROWED)--- The NATIONAL DEBT—went from $49 Billion in 1941 to $259 Billion in 1945*** WWII COST $10 MILLION DOLLARS AN HOUR*****