Changes+at+Home

Hunter - Homefront **__ Rationing and the Lack of Goods __** ·  The government started forcing people to ration products such as bread, meat, sugar, coffee, butter, shoes, and gasoline. ·  The use of certain fabrics was limited because they were being used for military purposes. Due to this clothing became very plain (no ruffles, extra pockets, or wide leg pants). ·  Travel was restricted so people were not going on vacations or driving long distances. ·  Because of the rationing that was occurring, people started to grow their own gardens, make their own clothes, and fix thing themselves. ·  People started recycling scrap metal, tin, etc. ·  Prices of goods were higher. ·  To help finance the war the government raised taxes. **__ State of Employment __** ·  People started moving to where the factories were that were producing ships, planes, and tanks for the military. ·  People worked longer hours. ·  Wages rose by 70% during the war. ·  Women began working in these factories and taking the jobs of men who were serving in the military. ·  Discrimination was banned in the defense industry, so more African Americans and immigrants were employed than ever before. ·  However, discrimination still existed, especially for Japanese Americans. ·  The government set up internment camps to hold Japanese Americans. **__ The Importance of Farming __** ·  Farmers were exempted from serving in the military so they could produce more food. ·  These U.S. farmers produced enough food to feed the US and most of the world including Britain, the Soviet Union, U.S, and U.S citizens. ·  Because of this, even though there was rationing, Americans ate better during the war than before the war because the farmers produced so much food. **__ Good Things __** ·  Good things were happening even though a war was going on. ·  Because so many people were working they had more money. ·  The birthrate went up. ·  People became very patriotic. ·  People read more books and magazines. ·  Baseball and movies became very popular.