The US spent twice as much money on World War II than on any previous war. Tax rates increased so much that some people paid 90% of their earnings toward taxes. The size of the federal government tripled from about 1 million to 3.5 million workers in the span of five years. Rationing was enforced soon after the war began. Americans were issued books of stamps for vital items such as meat, canned foods, gas, and shoes, and the purchase of these items wasn't legal without such stamps. Victory Speed Limits required Americans to drive slower in an effort to conserve fuel. Rotating blackouts saved fuel that needed to be shipped overseas. Some goods such as automobiles and refrigerators weren't produced during the war. Groups like the Boy Scouts held scrap metal drives, and backyard gardens produced about 8 million tons of food. Patriotic posters, rallies, movies, and songs were everywhere, and the accomplishments made by Americans were huge. From 1941 to 1945, the size of the navy increased from 5,000 vessels to over 90,000. Over 80,000 tanks and about 300,000 aircraft were produced during the war along with millions of machine guns and rifles and billions of ammunition cartridges.  | Almost everyone in the US was either working or fighting. The US Armed Forces was already comprised of 1.5 million members at the beginning of the war, and it grew to a staggering 12 million by the war's end. Thanks to Eleanor Roosevelt, women's auxiliary forces for the army (WACS), navy (WAVES), air forces (WASPS, pictured below), and Coast Guard (SPARS) were created. Needless to say, a huge labor shortage ensued.  To compensate for the labor shortage, a "Work or Fight" campaign was waged. Many housewives began work in factories, and a total 6.5 million females entered the workforce during the war. African Americans continued to migrate northward and filled many factory jobs. Mexican Americans assisted with the harvest season in the Bracero Guest-Worker Program. Retirees reentered the workforce, and many teenagers entered the workforce as well. |
