Mobilizing for the War

Ch 12.1

Thursday, April 19, 2012

• Daily goal: • Understand how the RFC, WLB and WPB

helped transition to and maintain the war economy.

WPB

• The War Production Board set priorities and controlled the flow of raw materials.

Converting the Economy

• The RFC helped companies pay for switching from production of consumer goods to war goods.

• The Auto industry stopped building cars and began mass production of war good (tanks, planes and guns.)

• Kaiser began building thousands of cargo Liberty ships.

The GIs

• Soldier’s were nicknamed GIs because their uniforms were labeled “Government Issue.”

• African Americans and other minorities served in segregated units like the Tuskeege Airmen.

Double “V”

• African Americans wanted Victory over racism in America and over Hitler’s racism in Europe.

Women join the Army

• Women were encouraged to join to “release a man for combat” but not allowed to fight.