Topic 4.1: "Do Your Part"
Everyday life across the country was dramatically altered. Food, gas and clothing were rationed. Communities conducted scrap metal drives. To help build the armaments necessary to win the war, women found employment as electricians, welders and riveters in defense plants. Japanese Americans had their rights as citizens stripped from them. People in the U.S. grew increasingly dependent on radio reports for news of the fighting overseas. And, while popular entertainment served to demonize the nation's enemies, it also was viewed as an escapist outlet that allowed Americans brief respites from war worries.
Everyday life across the country was dramatically altered. Food, gas and clothing were rationed. Communities conducted scrap metal drives. To help build the armaments necessary to win the war, women found employment as electricians, welders and riveters in defense plants. Japanese Americans had their rights as citizens stripped from them. People in the U.S. grew increasingly dependent on radio reports for news of the fighting overseas. And, while popular entertainment served to demonize the nation's enemies, it also was viewed as an escapist outlet that allowed Americans brief respites from war worries.
Rationing
During the Second World War, you couldn't just walk into a shop and buy as much sugar or butter or meat as you wanted, nor could you fill up your car with gasoline whenever you liked. All these things were rationed, which meant you were only allowed to buy a small amount (even if you could afford more). The government introduced rationing because certain things were in short supply during the war,
and rationing was the only way to make sure everyone got their fair share.
and rationing was the only way to make sure everyone got their fair share.
Factory Work during the war
As World War Two raged on throughout Europe and the Pacific, men were called up to fight for their country. An often overlooked and understated element of the war effort has been the contributions of women on the home-front during wartime. As men left their factory jobs to go and fight, women stepped up to produce the heavy machinery needed for the war and at home to keep the country running. Women quickly picked up and excelled at historically male-dominated trades such as welding, riveting and engine repair. Women were essential for the production and supply of goods to our troops fighting abroad. Their efforts during wartime refuted the misconception that women are incapable of manual and technical laboring.
Though these women showed up at the factories to offer their services for the war effort, some employers still tried to deny them equal pay. Before the war, employers often classified work into “male” and “female” jobs, paying the“female” jobs less. When the war came, employers automatically classified the newer positions as “female” jobs so they would not have to pay as much. Some union officials attacked these classifications and demanded “equal pay for equal work”. These officials were not only interested in securing fair pay for the women. They were also concerned that after the war, veterans would return to work and find that they had suffered pay cuts and reductions because their jobs had been reclassified as “female” positions while they were fighting overseas.
After the war, many women faced problems when their jobs were given to male veterans who were returning to work. Women who wished to remain in the workforce were transferred back to “female” jobs which received less pay, and often did not have union representation.
Though these women showed up at the factories to offer their services for the war effort, some employers still tried to deny them equal pay. Before the war, employers often classified work into “male” and “female” jobs, paying the“female” jobs less. When the war came, employers automatically classified the newer positions as “female” jobs so they would not have to pay as much. Some union officials attacked these classifications and demanded “equal pay for equal work”. These officials were not only interested in securing fair pay for the women. They were also concerned that after the war, veterans would return to work and find that they had suffered pay cuts and reductions because their jobs had been reclassified as “female” positions while they were fighting overseas.
After the war, many women faced problems when their jobs were given to male veterans who were returning to work. Women who wished to remain in the workforce were transferred back to “female” jobs which received less pay, and often did not have union representation.
Salvage and victory gardens
Earning extra money for salvaged materials became a popular activity, especially among the children. It was not unusual for children to
scour forests and woods around their homes and towns. They looked for old cans and especially junked out cars or scrap metal. Farmers were encouraged to turn in their scrap metal so they could "sink a sub from their farms. “Tin cans were saved at home and recycled, as were glass bottles. Many women gave up wearing stockings so the silk and nylon could be used to make parachutes. Paper was collected and recycled. Clothes were mended and worn to avoid having to purchase new ones. Even household fats and oils from cooking were collected and reused to make explosives for the military.
Scrap drives became so effective that at one point they supplied almost half of the steel and paper that was required.
To lessen the pinch for food at home, the Victory Garden program was initiated. The Agriculture Department encouraged everyone to grow vegetables in their yards, to "Dig for victory, Plant for peace. Even those who had never gardened before
began to plant their own produce.
These "Sunday Farmers" were soon making a huge difference. Not only did the gardens produce food, but they were also a way of letting your neighbors see how patriotic you were. The extra food was picked and canned. Fresh food was eaten at the dinner table or traded for other items. Competitions were held to find the best gardens, and recipes for using the produce were widely circulated.
The total impact of the Victory Garden was unprecedented. By 1943, it was estimated that there were over 20 million Victory Gardens in the United States. These gardens were thought to have produced more than eight million tons of food. That worked out to being almost half of the vegetables consumed in the whole country.
scour forests and woods around their homes and towns. They looked for old cans and especially junked out cars or scrap metal. Farmers were encouraged to turn in their scrap metal so they could "sink a sub from their farms. “Tin cans were saved at home and recycled, as were glass bottles. Many women gave up wearing stockings so the silk and nylon could be used to make parachutes. Paper was collected and recycled. Clothes were mended and worn to avoid having to purchase new ones. Even household fats and oils from cooking were collected and reused to make explosives for the military.
Scrap drives became so effective that at one point they supplied almost half of the steel and paper that was required.
To lessen the pinch for food at home, the Victory Garden program was initiated. The Agriculture Department encouraged everyone to grow vegetables in their yards, to "Dig for victory, Plant for peace. Even those who had never gardened before
began to plant their own produce.
These "Sunday Farmers" were soon making a huge difference. Not only did the gardens produce food, but they were also a way of letting your neighbors see how patriotic you were. The extra food was picked and canned. Fresh food was eaten at the dinner table or traded for other items. Competitions were held to find the best gardens, and recipes for using the produce were widely circulated.
The total impact of the Victory Garden was unprecedented. By 1943, it was estimated that there were over 20 million Victory Gardens in the United States. These gardens were thought to have produced more than eight million tons of food. That worked out to being almost half of the vegetables consumed in the whole country.