World War II In the United States
After the Pearl Harbor attack December 7, 1941, the U.S. was dragged into World War II. U.S. citizens felt insecure due to an attack on their home soil. When the United States entered the war in 1942, the government started a rationing program. People were limited on how much food, clothing, and materials they could buy. Aluminum, metal, and rubber were all collected and reused. Nothing during this time was wasted. Many automotive companies started producing mass amounts of war machinery. Women were sent into the work force while men were being drafted into the war. Women joined the military and formed the Army Nurse Corps. Orders were put in place to prevent saboteurs in America. When President Roosevelt was in office he signed the Executive Order 9066 which sent Japanese-Americans into internment camps. As you can see the United States was quickly thrown into war mode.
American Art and Propaganda
World War II in Great Britain
The home front in Britain was rough. Civilian populated areas were being bombed and people were preparing for a German invasion. Women played a crucial role in production and rationing in Great Britain. Women entered the work force and took up jobs men typically performed. The Women's Land Army played a key role in feeding people and taking care of victims suffering from the bombings. The government limited information that was being released to the public. This was to limit discouragement of Britain's citizens. Air raid sirens, blackouts, and gas masks were a daily part of life for people. During the Blitz over a million houses were destroyed and 43,000 civilians were killed in London alone.
British Art and Propaganda
This poster displays the united forces of the Allies. This is an encouragement meant to boost morale. It also displays the determination to defeat the Axis powers.
|
This poster created in World War II. It was meant to create send the message that everybody should be working. It encourages increased production and less wasted time.
|
World War II in Germany
Hitler turned Germany into a war industry nation. Living conditions for German citizens were rough. They lost their freedoms, had strict rations, and labored hard to produce war materials. However, many people accepted it, expecting a better life once Hitler won the war. At this time Hitler put Jews, homosexuals, enemies, and disliked people into concentration camps. Hitler would order the mass killings of these people in the event known as the Holocaust. When the Allies began bombing Germany, its citizens lost hope. The bombardments resulted in the deaths of many people and the destruction of their homes. 305,000 people died and 800,000 were injured in the bombings of Germany. People were forced to evacuate their homes to live in inadequate shelters and were deprived of basic utilities. By the end of the war German citizens were looking forward to the end of Hitlers reign and World War II.
German Art and Propaganda
World War II in Japan
At this time many people had very little political freedoms. The Emperor Hirohito and his political party controlled the life of Japans people. However, a sense of nationalism sprang up in Japan. There was an increase in industry, military production, and education. Also, Japan was set on military expansion. Japan was looking for land to house its growing population and didn't want to rely on the United States for natural resources. To supply its war efforts, Japanese women and children were forced to work in factories and farms. People were forced to work seven days of the week. And the government pulled kids out of school to meet the demands of the military. Materials such as food, gas, petroleum, tin, rubber, and nickel were in shortage at this time. People would ride trains and take necessary steps to conserve these much needed materials. People in Japan suffered from bombing raids due to inadequate shelters and materials. The atomic bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki deflated Japanese morale by destroying the cities and killing nearly 200,000 people.
Japanese Art and Propaganda
World War II in the Soviet Union
The home front in the Soviet Union was different than from the other countries. Women helped both in industry and the armed forces. Women worked in factories and farms helping in the mobilization of the war. There were over 800,000 women who served in the armed forces and helped drive the Germans out of Russia. In 1941 Germany invaded Russia, this led to fighting on Russian soil. The Russian civilians were put on small rations. People were forced to eat cats, dogs, and even some people reported cannibalism. In Leningrad many people were without electricity, water, and gas. Approximately one million Russian civilians died from starvation, illness, and freezing temperatures. Also, in Germany controlled parts of the Soviet Union, men, women, and children were exterminated. As you can see, life in the Soviet Union during World War II was very rough.
The Soviet Union's Art and Propaganda