Lesson 7 notes

German Occupation

During World War II, Nazi propaganda was aimed at making Germany look like the victims of foreign aggressors who were forced to take up arms. This poster, which was displayed in Poland following German occupation, shows anti-Semitic and anti-Bolshevik propaganda meant to influence the people of Poland to see the Jews as subhuman and the Russians as dangerous enemies of both the Polish and the Germans. German propaganda like this was common and was designed to deceive the people living in German-occupied lands to make the Germans look good.

What did the United States issue to Americans at home in order to concentrate all essential surplus for the Army? A)ration stamps B)liberty gardens C)war bonds D)salt lists

A)ration stamps

What was the US government's Bracero Program? A)An agreement that allowed Mexican migrant workers to work in America. B)A government mandate that deported illegal aliens back to Mexico. C)An initiative that created an oil pipeline from Texas to New York. D)An initiative that allowed women to work in government-owned factories.

A)An agreement that allowed Mexican migrant workers to work in America.

Who is Rosie the Riveter? A)An iconic American symbol that encouraged women to join the workforce. B)A prominent woman figure who opposed World War II. C)The first woman to serve in the House of Representatives. D)A Native American woman activist who fought for equal rights.

A)An iconic American symbol that encouraged women to join the workforce.

Which World War II event was used by the American GI Forum to lobby for equal rights for Mexican Americans? A)Felix Longoria Affair B)Mexican Repatriation Program C)Mendez v. Westminster D)Bracero Program

A)Felix Longoria Affair

How did the War Powers Act benefit the war effort? A)The act allowed Congress to broaden the president's power regarding military action with little intervention from Congress. B)The act limited the president's power regarding military action without Congress's passage of military expenditures. C)The act developed criteria for calling a cease-fire agreement between the United States and Japan if Japan surrendered. D)The act rescinded the president's power to declare war for 90 days without consent of Congress.

A)The act allowed Congress to broaden the president's power regarding military action with little intervention from Congress.

Who were the Tuskegee Airmen? A)The first African American pilots to fly for the military. B)The first military pilots to wage war against Germany. C)The first military pilots to wage war against Japan. D)The first Japanese American pilots to fly for the military.

A)The first African American pilots to fly for the military.

What was the purpose of war posters? A)They were a government campaign created to gain support of American citizens for the war effort. B)They were a civilian campaign created to lobby for Japanese internment camps. C)They were a civilian campaign created to protest the European Theater. D)They were a government campaign created to scare the Empire of Japan.

A)They were a government campaign created to gain support of American citizens for the war effort.

During World War II, women contributed to the war effort by engaging in which activity? A)entering the manufacturing workforce B)joining the judicial branch of the federal government C)campaigning for US Senate seats D)joining men on the front lines

A)entering the manufacturing workforce

What was President Roosevelt's first executive order under the War Powers Act? A)establishing the Office of Censorship B)providing funds to repair the naval fleet attacked at Pearl Harbor C)declaring war against Germany and Italy D)drafting African Americans to join the war effort

A)establishing the Office of Censorship

What was the purpose of the War Production Board? A)to combine government and industry efforts to outproduce B)the Axis powers to provide a platform for the United States and Great Britain to combine war efforts against Germany B)to establish the United States, Great Britain, and the Soviet D)Union as the Allied powers to declare war against Benito Mussolini and Italian Fascism

A)to combine government and industry efforts to outproduce

What was the purpose of the Big Inch Project? A)to create an oil pipeline from Texas to New York B)to expand the production of all-terrain military jeeps C)to create an oil pipeline from Alaska to the Gulf Coast D)to expand the production of B-52 Bombers

A)to create an oil pipeline from Texas to New York

What was the purpose of Liberty Bonds? A)to enable the US government to raise money for the war effort B)to fund a civilian campaign lobbying for equal treatment of Japanese Americans C)to provide funding to renovate the Statue of Liberty D)to enact stricter sanctions on Wall Street to avoid another Great Depressionterm-16

A)to enable the US government to raise money for the war effort

MAP TIMELINE: WWII AND THE UNITED STATES 5. LIBERTY BONDS (NOVEMBER 30, 1942)

As the war continues, the one thing the United States government is running low on is money. The United States begins to sell $25 war bonds for as little as $18.75 to increase funding for the war. Those that purchase the bonds can cash them in with interest in 10 years.

MAP TIMELINE: WWII AND THE UNITED STATES 6. CHICAGO PILE 1 (DECEMBER 2, 1942)

At the University of Chicago, members of the Manhattan Project created the first nuclear chain reaction.

MAP TIMELINE: WWII AND THE UNITED STATES 4. ROSIE THE RIVETER (MAY 29, 1942)

Created to inspire women to join the workforce, the image of Rosie the Riveter appears on the cover of The Saturday Evening Post and leads to a change in women's roles at work.

Being Prepared

During World War II, citizens in urban areas of England were subject to German bombings. Cards and posters were distributed to remind people of what to have for air raids. All windows and inner doors were to remain open because the bomb's force could shatter windows and blow open doors. In cases of an incendiary bomb, two full water or sand buckets were needed to cover the bomb and extinguish the fire. For gas bombs, citizens needed to know when and how to use gas masks. In addition, a flashlight (e.g., torch) was recommended in case of a power outage.

Remembering Pearl Harbor

During World War II, many things were done to motivate the American people to support the war against the Axis powers. This "Remember Pearl Harbor" poster was one of many developed by the War Production Board (WPB) and helped focus Americans on the war effort. The WPB directed the conversion of business, manufacturing, and industry to focus on war products. It was also involved in the rationing of gasoline, metal, paper, plastic, rubber, and oil. Between 1942 and 1945, the WPB helped in the production of over $180 billion of wartime materials, including weapons and ammunition.

Let's Censor Our Conversation

During World War II, the US government felt that censorship of written correspondence between soldiers and friends and family was necessary to prevent any information from getting to the enemy. This poster, created by the Works Progress Administration, encouraged caution when discussing the war effort in letters, and suggested that any careless communication could be detrimental to the war effort. Soldiers were told to never write about their location and the unit they were in or its size. All the soldier's letters were examined by the government and stamped to show they had been checked.

Rosie the Riveter

During World War II, this poster, by Westinghouse and artist J. Howard Miller, was part of a national campaign to encourage women to become part of the American workforce. This symbol of the patriotic woman, "Rosie the Riveter," showed a strong, confident woman dressed in overalls and a bandana. The image was based on a photograph of Geraldine Doyle, a Michigan factory worker. Because the male workforce had been depleted due to American men joining the armed forces during the war, the US government developed successful campaigns to recruit women for the workforce.

"Oohrah"...Semper Fi

Essential to the war in the Pacific during World War II, the US Marines were part of almost every significant battle, including Guadalcanal, Guam, Iwo Jima, and Okinawa. Immediately after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor in December 1941, over 10,000 men enlisted in the Marines. That number grew to over 22,500 enlistments in January 1942, and an additional 12,000 men enlisted in February. During this time, the strength of the Marines grew from 75,000 to 104,000 troops. War posters such as this "Let's Go Get'em!" one were a contributing factor in recruiting for the Marines.

Russian Relief

Following Germany's attack on the Russians in the summer of 1941, the largest American agency for foreign war relief was set up—Russian War Relief, Inc. Its purpose was to provide support for Russians devastated by the Nazi invasion. Posters such as this one were created to make Americans aware of the Russians' plight, and quotes, such as the one from General MacArthur, were impactful to the importance of the Russians during World War II. The Soviet Union's role in defeating the Nazis was significant since it basically fought alone against the Germans, mostly on Russian soil.

MAP TIMELINE: WWII AND THE UNITED STATES 7. ZOOT SUIT RIOTS (MAY 30, 1943)

The diversity of California evolves when Mexican citizens began to flee to Los Angeles to escape the plight of the Mexican Revolution. Southern California diversity increases further as African Americans from the south migrate west to find improved opportunities. Then the conditions of the Dust Bowl create an influx of Caucasian migrant farmers that once again changes the diversity of southern California. During the 1940s, the fashion of many Mexican American youths is the zoot suit—a suit with wide shoulders and lapels, narrow waist, and baggy pants. The start of World War II sees most American males join the armed services. When white military personnel stationed in Los Angles clash with local Mexican American youths, it ignites a race riot. Service men target Mexican Americans, many of whom are wearing zoot suits. In all 150 Mexican Americans are injured. A committee is called to investigate the incident, mostly to maintain good relations with the Mexican government. The committee determines that the riot was caused by racism. Action is taken to reform the manner in which police officers treat citizens of various ethnicities.

China Carries On

The focus of World War II was primarily on the US forces and the assistance for the American military. However, the Allied powers fighting with the US against the Axis forces also needed assistance. One of those countries was China. The United China Relief was founded in 1941 to raise and provide funds for the relief and recovery of China. On the poster, the image is fairly graphic with the Chinese characters on the right translating as "Unite against the enemy and rebuild our nation."

The Mighty 7th

The painting on this World War II war loan poster was by C. C. Beall and was based on Joe Rosenthal's famous photograph of the second flag raising on Iwo Jima on February 23, 1945. This poster was created to promote the 7th War Loan campaign and the 1945 bond tour. The purpose of the campaign was to keep America focused on Japan following the victory in Europe. The poster was hung in over one million businesses, banks, factories, stores, theatres, and on large billboards. This bond raised over $26 million, helping in the war in the Pacific.

MAP TIMELINE: WWII AND THE UNITED STATES 3. CAMP PENDLETON (MAY 1942)

The use of Native Americans on the battlefield to code messages begins during World War I. In World War II, the Navajo are considered for their flexible language. It is also important to find a tribe that has not been studied by the Germans. The Navajo code talkers are used in the Pacific Theater.

Uncle Sam Says...

This 1942 poster depicts Uncle Sam, a symbol of America, holding the US flag and pointing the military toward battle. It was meant to encourage people to buy war bonds. Because World War II was expensive—the US spent over $300 billion—the US Treasury began offering a series of war bonds that could be purchased. When a person bought a $25 war bond, he or she only paid $18.75. After 10 years, the bond could be redeemed for a $6.25 profit. War bonds paid for everything the military needed—food, medicine, planes, ships, tanks, uniforms, and weapons.

The Basic Seven

This poster, created by the US Department of Agriculture in 1943, was developed to promote nutritional standards and eating right under food rationing during World War II. The food wheel illustrates the "Basic 7" food groups that should be eaten to be healthy and to stay strong during the war. (Notice that butter and margarine are their own food group!) Not only does the poster promote eating foods from the seven food groups, but also implies to eat any foods you want for your health.

This Is My War Too!

This propaganda poster from 1943 was meant to appeal to the patriotic women of the US, encouraging them to serve in the Women's Army Auxiliary Corps (WAAC) during World War II. The WAAC was established in 1942 for women to take noncombat, auxiliary, and support roles in the military. Oveta Culp Hobby became the first director of the WAAC in 1942. When the WAAC began, Congress agreed that women could fill 54 different types of Army jobs. Hobby was able to put women in 239 different jobs, with 150,000 women serving during World War II

MAP TIMELINE: WWII AND THE UNITED STATES 1. EXECUTIVE ORDER 9066 (FEBRUARY 19, 1942)

When the United States is attacked by the Japanese at Pearl Harbor, President Franklin Roosevelt signs Executive Order 9066, which allows the Secretary of War to create military zones for the purposes of holding individuals of foreign-born ancestry. Executive Order 9066 is used to detain Americans of Japanese, Korean, German, Italian, and Native Alaskan ancestry during World War II. Over 134,000 people are held in American internment camps during World War II. Of that number, 120,000 are of Japanese or Korean descent. Relocation of military detainees begins on March 18, 1942.

MAP TIMELINE: WWII AND THE UNITED STATES 2. WAR RATIONING (MAY 1, 1942)

With the occupation of the Axis powers in parts of the world cutting off needed supplies to the United States, a system of rationing emerges. To help American soldiers in the battlefield, all essential surplus is concentrated for the Army. Rationing stamps are issued to ensure that Americans at home can buy only what they need.

executive order

an order issued by the president that has force of the law

segregated

set apart from the rest or from each other; isolated or divided

internment

the act of confinement; imprisonment

espionage

the act of spying or using spies, commonly by governments, to acquire political and/or military information

censorship

the examination of publications and other media to suppress unacceptable parts from an audience