How Did Ww2 Affect The Economy
In the months preceding America’s entrance into the second World War, skepticism about US involvement, particularly by more conservative minds was naturally very high. But by the time America had wholly committed to active engagement in World War II, disputes over isolationism versus interventionism had transformed into new, more pressing issues of the time. Regarding price controls and rationing of consumer goods and civil rights for African Americans, voices by partisans of either side rang like sirens throughout the country.
Going into the war, it became paramount that the entire country would need to mobilize for the war effort. This mobilization movement would be criticized by some conservatives to be fascist. However, active union leader …show more content…
and New Dealer, Walter Reuther supported this vision months before American mobilization, voicing his support of Great Britain after the Battle of Britain in 1940. For example, Reuther insisted that American factories in major cities, such as Detroit and New York, manufacture five-hundred planes per day to ship to Great Britain to assist them in their fight against Germany. This sentiment marked the beginning of the large role that production would play in the total war effort and shed some light on the regulations that the government would institute.
In contrast to civil mentality during the Depression era, production by specifically big businesses would be an integral component of the war effort, creating a reliance on bigger establishments.
One governmental program, the War Production Board, had a great impact at the homefront. The War Production Board, composed of dollar-a-year men and labor managers, had contracts with big companies who subcontracted with smaller firms in a way that empowered big businesses to produce the goods necessary for the war, which arguably encompassed all consumer goods. This was controversial however because war workers in the factories had to face hostile regulations. Union workers fought to diminish this sort of hostility. During World War I, the American economy experienced heavy inflation in which prices would double, so the government made measures to avoid this during World War II. To prevent this problem, the Office of Price Administration regulated prices which would lead to rationing of consumer goods like sugar, gasoline, meat and tires. Of course, the OPA faced its share of opposition as well. Many OPA inspectors were also considered hostile and invasive. One such opponent of the OPA was Richard Nixon who claimed that it was a form of “intrusive government.” Generally, those opposed to the OPA were businesses and those hostile to the New
Deal.
Concerning African American civil rights, it is unquestionable that this was a very long movement. One primary critique was the communist flavor of racial liberalism.
Going into the war, it became paramount that the entire country would need to mobilize for the war effort. This mobilization movement would be criticized by some conservatives to be fascist. However, active union leader …show more content…
and New Dealer, Walter Reuther supported this vision months before American mobilization, voicing his support of Great Britain after the Battle of Britain in 1940. For example, Reuther insisted that American factories in major cities, such as Detroit and New York, manufacture five-hundred planes per day to ship to Great Britain to assist them in their fight against Germany. This sentiment marked the beginning of the large role that production would play in the total war effort and shed some light on the regulations that the government would institute.
In contrast to civil mentality during the Depression era, production by specifically big businesses would be an integral component of the war effort, creating a reliance on bigger establishments.
One governmental program, the War Production Board, had a great impact at the homefront. The War Production Board, composed of dollar-a-year men and labor managers, had contracts with big companies who subcontracted with smaller firms in a way that empowered big businesses to produce the goods necessary for the war, which arguably encompassed all consumer goods. This was controversial however because war workers in the factories had to face hostile regulations. Union workers fought to diminish this sort of hostility. During World War I, the American economy experienced heavy inflation in which prices would double, so the government made measures to avoid this during World War II. To prevent this problem, the Office of Price Administration regulated prices which would lead to rationing of consumer goods like sugar, gasoline, meat and tires. Of course, the OPA faced its share of opposition as well. Many OPA inspectors were also considered hostile and invasive. One such opponent of the OPA was Richard Nixon who claimed that it was a form of “intrusive government.” Generally, those opposed to the OPA were businesses and those hostile to the New
Deal.
Concerning African American civil rights, it is unquestionable that this was a very long movement. One primary critique was the communist flavor of racial liberalism.