Chapter 24: The United States in World War II section 1: The War in Europe and North Africa The Battle of the Atlantic
Download 8.66 Mb.
|
- Navigate this page:
- 4: The Home Front Sacrifice and Struggle at Home
- Investing in Victory
| Back to the Philippines
MacArthur had been forced to abandon his men on the Philippines in early 1942. He told the world that “I shall return”. Originally we were to by-pass the Philippines but Mac convinced FDR and the Secretary of War to let him retake the islands. By the middle of 1944 Mac had taken most of New Guinea. He was now ready to return. The island of Leyte was to be first. The first action was the Battle of Leyte Gulf. It was the largest naval battle in history and it was the first appearance of the kamikaze. The landings took place in late October, 1944. MacArthur waded ashore on the second day. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fV-eHAvDpbY 
After securing the island, the next target was the island of Luzon and the capital of the Philippines, Manila. Manila was to be declared an open city but some Japanese did not evacuate and the city suffered great destruction. 4: The Home Front Sacrifice and Struggle at Home World War II was a total war and thus was going to require total commitment by the civilian population as well. Conserving Food and Other Goods Feeding and supplying the armed forces was the primary war effort at home. Rationing of food was necessary to feed the troops. People at home planted Victory Gardens-personal gardens to grow personal crops. The government rationed coffee, sugar, butter, and meat. Each member of the civilian family received a ration book that limited the amount you could buy. Gasoline was rationed by the type of job you held. People collected scrap metal, rubber, glass, silk nylons, anything that could be used for the war effort. It was a way for civilians to feel they were making a difference. Investing in Victory Americans bought millions of dollars of war bonds. Newspapers, magazines, posters, and war bond tours by stars and war heroes encouraged Americans to support the men at the front. Over $185 billion was raised through war bonds and stamps (purchased by school children).  
The War Production Board was created to make sure the military got all the products and resources it needed. It also put limits on what clothing manufacturers could produce so that there would be enough fabric for uniforms. The Federal budget went through the roof; fighting a world war was expensive. In addition to bond drives, federal income tax was now going to have all Americans pay taxes, not just the wealthy. Tax revenue went from $7.4 billion in 1941 to $43 billion in 1945. Download 8.66 Mb. Share with your friends:
|