History Flashcards: Key Terms from WWII

Questions and Answers

What is rationing?

Limits set on the amount of certain goods people can buy.

What does it mean to intern someone?

To temporarily imprison so as to keep from leaving a country.

Who was A. Philip Randolph?

Head of the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters, threatened a mass protest unless Roosevelt moved to end discrimination in the armed forces.

What is a bracero?

Mexican laborer. Signup and view all the answers

What was the War Production Board?

Established by the government to supervise the changeover and set goals for production. Signup and view all the answers

What jobs did women do during the war?

They served as nurses or in non-combat roles, took over jobs in factories and shipyards, some welded, tended blast furnaces and ran cranes. Signup and view all the answers

Why were many Japanese Americans interned?

Americans feared they would act as spies, leading FDR to issue an executive order to intern some Japanese Americans. Signup and view all the answers

How did African Americans seek fairer treatment during the war?

They threatened a mass protest, leading FDR to set up the Fair Employment Practices Committee to investigate discrimination. Signup and view all the answers

What economic restrictions did Americans face during World War II?

Americans faced rationing, were expected to conserve resources, and plant victory gardens. Signup and view all the answers

What were the benefits and costs of the economic restrictions during WWII?

Benefits include the end of the Great Depression and increased employment; costs include restrictions on purchases. Signup and view all the answers

What happened to Japanese Americans on the West Coast during the war?

They were interned due to anti-Japanese fears and Executive Order 9066. Signup and view all the answers

How did the United States build its military and convert its economy to meet wartime needs?

Through a volunteer draft, construction of military bases, and conversion of industries from consumer to military production. Signup and view all the answers

How did American women contribute to the war effort?

They served as nurses, took on non-combat roles, and worked in factories. Signup and view all the answers

How did WWII affect Japanese Americans and other groups at home?

Japanese Americans were sent to internment camps, losing their possessions and freedoms. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Rationing and Resource Management

Rationing limited the amount of certain goods available for purchase, impacting consumer choices.
Americans were encouraged to conserve resources, leading to initiatives like planting victory gardens and buying war bonds.

Japanese American Internment

Over 110,000 Japanese Americans were interned during WWII due to fears of espionage.
Executive Order 9066, issued in February 1942, facilitated the internment process.
Internment camps were characterized by barbed wire and restrictions, forcing Japanese Americans to sell possessions quickly.

Contributions of Women During the War

Women served in various roles including nurses and non-combat positions in the Women's Army Corps (WAC).
Female pilots transported bombers and conducted flight training for male pilots.
Many women entered the workforce in factories, shipyards, and took on jobs like bus drivers and police officers.

A. Philip Randolph's Activism

A. Philip Randolph led the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters and advocated for an end to discrimination in the armed forces.
His protest threats prompted President Roosevelt to address racial inequality in military hiring.

Economic Impact of WWII

The war effort led to a significant decrease in unemployment, as millions of jobs were created in various industries.
Economic restrictions included rationing of goods like coffee, sugar, and gasoline, which limited consumer purchasing power.

War Production Board

Established to oversee military production, the War Production Board's initiatives nearly doubled military output.
The conversion of industries from consumer goods to war supplies was a significant change in the economy.

Fair Employment Practices Committee (FEPC)

In response to calls for racial equality, FDR established the FEPC to investigate discrimination in hiring practices.
This initiative opened up new job opportunities for African Americans in wartime industries.

Overall Community Response

The Great Depression was effectively ended as the war generated economic activity.
Community morale improved as citizens supported the war effort through rationing and industrial production.

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Description

Test your knowledge of important historical terms related to World War II with these flashcards. Each card provides a word and its definition to help you understand significant concepts and figures from this era.