World War II: The Homefront

World War II: The Homefront

Rationing, role of women, role of African Americans

Standard Focus

SS5H4 Explain America’s involvement in World War II

E- Describe the effects of rationing and the changing role of women and African Americans or Blacks; include “Rosie the Riveter” and the Tuskegee Airmen.

Success Questions

​1- Can I describe the effects of rationing on Americans during WWII?

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2- Can I describe the changing role of women and African-Americans?

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3- Can I identify “Rosie the Riveter” and the Tuskegee Airmen.

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The effects of rationing on Americans during WWII

Vocabulary: rationing

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What is rationing?

is restricting how much people can buy or receive

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What could be rationed?

coffee, sugar, butter, meat, shoes (rubber)

Multiple Choice

What word means to restrict how much people can buy or receive of a product?

• producer

• sale

• rationing

• scrafice

Open Ended

What were some items that were rationed during World War II? Give at least 2 examples.

The Changing Role of women

Women at the time could not actively fight in the war, so they took over the jobs men left behind when they went overseas.

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Examples of work women did:

farming, manufacturing, test pilots, shipyard workers, and mechanics. ​

Rosie the riveter

Rosie the Riveter was a fictional character created to encourage women to join the war effort at home.

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With the famous saying "We Can Do It!", women felt it was just as important to serve at home as for men to serve overseas. ​

Multiple Choice

How did women help support the war effort?

• they worked the jobs men left behind

• they stayed at home

• they joined the Marines

• they didn't help

Multiple Choice

Who is the person on the poster?

• a famous actress in a war movie

• a fictional character who inspired women during the war

• the first lady of the United States

The Changing Role of AFrican-americans

The war helped break down some racial barriers and Black Americans found good jobs in steels mills and shipyards.

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In addition, Black men could serve in the war. One group of highly trained pilots made history during their service.

Tuskegee Airmen

The Tuskegee Airmen were a group of Black pilots who trained a the Tuskegee Institute in Alabama.

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The flew alongside bomber planes and saw action in Italy and Hungary. This elite group of pilots were the only group to not lose a single bomber plane to the enemy.

Open Ended

How did Black men help support the war effort? Give specific examples.

Multiple Choice

What is the name of the elite group of Black pilots who flew alongside bomber planes during World War II.

• Tuskegee Airmen

• Savannah Pilots

• Airforce of U.S.

• The African-American Air League

Success Questions

​1- Can I describe the effects of rationing on Americans during WWII?

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2- Can I describe the changing role of women and African-Americans?

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3- Can I identify “Rosie the Riveter” and the Tuskegee Airmen.

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Open Ended

Make a prediction: What do you think happened to the jobs for women and African-Americans when all the soldiers came back from World War II? How do you think it impacted life after the war?