World War II Part 2 - The Homefront: Crash Course US History

Which of the following best aligns with John's opening statements about the effects of World War II on the US?

• World War II brought about tremendous changes in the United States.

• World War II shaped how Americans would come to see themselves and how they would want to be seen by the rest of the world.

• World War II saw a continuation of many New Deal Policies.

• All of the above.

Answer explanation

The answer is 'All of the above' because each option accurately reflects the impact of World War II on the United States. The war brought about significant changes, shaped American identity, and continued many New Deal Policies. Therefore, all these statements align with John's opening remarks about the effects of the war on the US.

What are examples of government intervention during World War II?

• Federal agencies like the War Production Board, War Manpower Commission, and Office of Price Administration.

• Massive rationing of food and supplies.

• Entire industries were completely taken over by the government.

• The fixation of wages, rents, prices, and especially production quotas.

Answer explanation

During World War II, the government intervened in various ways to support the war effort. Examples include the establishment of federal agencies like the War Production Board, War Manpower Commission, and Office of Price Administration, which helped manage resources and production. Additionally, the government implemented massive rationing of food and supplies, took over entire industries, and fixed wages, rents, prices, and production quotas to ensure stability and efficiency.

Which are the reasons that unemployment dropped from 14% in 1940 to 2% in 1943?

• 13 million Americans were serving in the military in some capacity.

• The war kicked the American economy into overdrive. The US gross national product went from 91 billion to 214 billion during the war.

• There were fewer opportunities for immigrants in the agricultural sector.

• Government policies favored greater laissez-faire policies.

Answer explanation

The reasons for the drop in unemployment from 14% in 1940 to 2% in 1943 were primarily due to the 13 million Americans serving in the military and the war boosting the American economy. The US gross national product increased significantly during the war, which created more job opportunities and reduced unemployment.

Government expenditures during the war were twice the amount they had been in the previous 250 years combined. Although a lot of this was financed with debt, much of the war was paid for with:

• Taxes

• War bonds

• Plunder

• Reparations

Answer explanation

During the war, government expenditures were significantly higher than in the previous 250 years combined. While debt and other sources contributed to financing the war, a substantial portion of it was paid for through taxes. This highlights the importance of taxes in funding wartime expenses.

Which of the following best describes WWII's effect on big business?

• Big business got even bigger.

• Big business reduced its size and profits due to government intervention.

Answer explanation

During WWII, many big businesses expanded due to the increased demand for goods and services. The war economy led to a boom in production, which in turn led to increased profits and growth for big businesses. Therefore, the statement 'Big business got even bigger' best describes WWII's effect on big business.

Which region of the US became an industrial center due to the war?

• The West Coast

• The East Coast

• The Midwest

• The Deep South

Answer explanation

During World War II, the West Coast of the United States became an industrial center due to its strategic location and access to the Pacific Ocean. This allowed for the production and transportation of war materials, as well as the development of new technologies. The other regions, such as the East Coast, Midwest, and Deep South, also contributed to the war effort, but the West Coast played a particularly significant role in the industrialization process.

Which region of the US was hit especially hard by WWII as many people moved to other regions of the US due to having only two major cities?

• The South

• The East Coast

• The Midwest

• The West Coast

Answer explanation

During WWII, the South was hit particularly hard as many people relocated to other regions of the US. This was largely due to the South having only two major cities. The lack of urban development and opportunities led to a significant population shift.

In order to prevent labor strife and keep the factories humming so that war production would not decrease, the government forced employers to recognize which labor group?

• Organized labor (unions)

• Immigrant labor

• Migrant labor

• Minority labor

Answer explanation

The question asks about the labor group that the government forced employers to recognize to prevent labor strife and maintain war production. The correct answer is 'Organized labor (unions)'. This is because unions are organizations that represent the interests of workers, and their recognition would help in preventing labor disputes and ensuring smooth operation of factories.

From a human history standpoint, one of the biggest changes is that many of the workers in those factories were:

• Women

• Latinos

• African Americans

• Japanese Americans

Answer explanation

From a historical perspective, one of the significant shifts was the increased participation of women in factory work. This change was particularly noticeable during the industrial revolution and world wars when women took over jobs traditionally held by men. Therefore, the correct answer to the question is 'Women'.

Who was a symbol of women in the workforce?

• Rosie the Riveter

• GI Jane

• Amelia Earhart

• Eleanor Roosevelt

Answer explanation

Rosie the Riveter is the correct answer. She became an iconic symbol of women in the workforce during World War II. The other options, GI Jane, Amelia Earhart, and Eleanor Roosevelt, while significant in their own right, do not symbolize women in the workforce in the same way as Rosie the Riveter.