World War Home Front
The decisions made on the home front during World War 2 may not always have been ethical but they benefited our country in a difficult time and kept our citizens safe.
Executive order 8802 illegalized discrimination in employment. The lanham act of 1940 provided 140 million dollars for housing government employees. Japanese internment camp prevented espionage from Japanese-Americans. The OPA and OES regulated businesses to stop inflation and rationed good that were needed for the military or were in a shortage. All of these events greatly benefited our country and contributed to keeping it safe and strong though some of them may have been questionably unethical.
The social, political, and economic events during World War 2 were essential in keeping our country safe and our economy strong though hey may not have always been ethical.
Social- The Japanese-American Internment Camps were the result of prejudice during the war. Thousands of American citizens were relocated from the west coast due to their Japanese decent. It was a regrettable time of discrimination in our history. However, there were no documented reports of espionage or treason from Japanese-Americans during the war. Whether or not this was a result of the internment camps, our country was made safer in a time of need.
Political-The decisions made by the government pertaining to the home front during the war may have been unethical, however, they ensured the safety of our country in a dangerous time. For example, the Selective Training and Service Act of 1940 forced men to join the military. This was not widely supported but it greatly contributed to our victory and the safety of our nation. Even after the draft ended, the Selective Service registration requirement continues today.
Economic- The Office of Price Administration was created during the war to manage products needed for the war and ration items that were in short supply. The rations made by the OPA, though predicted to further divide the US, actually proved to be a unifying experience. Also, many products changes made during the war were kept after it had ended, creating many American favorites such as the vanilla Hostess Twinkie and SPAM. Contradictory to the surfacing of these products, the average citizen became much healthier due to the shortage of dairy products and fatty meats. There were no moral drawbacks involving the OPA; they strengthened our country in a desperate time.
During all of these previous events, many changes were made that helped the US to be better prepared for the changes made on the home front during WWII.
US as a World Power-The Spanish-American war began largely because the US supported Cuba’s right to independence and sympathized with them for their treatment from Spain. When WWII began the US used propaganda to make its citizens support the war by playing on their pity for those ill-treated by the Germans.
Progressive Era- The progressive era was a time in which values, safety, and progressivism were large focuses for many Americans. They believed that the government could be a tool for change and as a result many government programs were started that cracked down on poverty, violence, crime, and racism. The government had more control than it had ever had before and when WWII began it was an easy and gradual transition into the highly controlling government than had been experienced in previous years.
World War I- In WWI the country was united in its efforts to conserve food for the US and its allies. In this process the US Food Administration was created to oversee facilitations. Throughout WWII life on the home front was greatly altered with the introduction of the ration stamps and the OPA. This process was an easy transition, however, because of the measures already taken in the previous war.
Roaring 20’s- The Roaring Twenties were a time of liberation for many women. They gained new rights and played a new role in the workplace. In WWII this was also the case. Women were hired in factories and given many new positions in the military. This would have been a much more difficult transition in society had the Roaring Twenties not occurred.
Great Depression and New Deal- During the Great Depression many new deal programs were passed by legislation. These programs regulated business and provided direct relief. Also during this time, many produce and other products were in short supply. During WWII many new regulations were made by the OPA, some of which made certain products rationed for the war. Because of the previous depression the citizens of the US were well prepared for these changes in their rights and everyday life.
It is important to look to the past to realize that the right thing to do is not always the ethical thing to do.
The actions made on the World War 2 home front are important to remember because there is a lot to be learned from them. There were many questionable actions taken, such as the Japanese-American internment camps, but they were all necessary in keeping our country safe. Today, in the War on Terror, it is essential to remember that we do not always need to make the ethical choice, but instead do whatever it takes to keep our county safer.