The Home Front

Problems faced, getting supplies, etc.

   Americans faced the problems of evacuation, rationing, and jobs.

Homefront:

·         Men fought in the war but those left behind helped with the war effort.

·         The Home Front is the name given to the effect of the war on peoples’ everyday lives.

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Evacuation:

§  The government believed that large American cities would be a target for German bombs and that casualties would be high in result.

§  Evacuations moved school children, teachers, mothers with children under the age of 5, and disabled people out of the cities and into the country side.

Rationing:

§  Since Ships were being bombed, supplies were limited.

§  People were given ration books to keep track of the food they bought, and had to register with a grocery store.

§  At first only butter, sugar, and bacon were rationed, but by the mid-1940’s all meat, cheese, eggs, jam, mild, and tea were rationed as well.

§  There was also a rationing with clothing due to the shortage of raw materials. Factories concentrated on producing weapons and ammunition.

Women:

§  During the war women were called up to take over jobs that were traditionally done by men.

§  They worked in factories producing aircraft, ammunition, weapons, and other goods needed for the war. Some women also worked farming in the fields.

§  Women worked long hours and still make less than men who would do the same job.

Home Guard:

§  Formed in 1940, the Home Guard or Local Defense Volunteers (LDV) were men that were too old or too young (above 40 or below 18) to serve in the forces.

§  The men were volunteers and were given a uniform and an armband that showed that they were a part of the LDV.

§  The men were provided with donated rifles, pistols and/or shotguns.

§  Their training was at night because most of them held a job in the day and they prepared themselves for a German invasion.