The WWII Home Front

The World War II period resulted in the largest number of people migrating within the United States, in the history of the country.  Individuals and families relocated to industrial centers for good paying war jobs, and out of a sense of patriotic duty. 

On the morning of December 7, 1941

USS Arizona, at height of fire, following Japanese aerial attack on Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. Library of Congress image with compilation.

Library of Congress and overlay.

On the morning of December 7, 1941 military forces of the Empire of Japan attacked the United States Naval Fleet and ground bases at Pearl Harbor in Hawaii.  On December 8, 1941, one day after the “Day of Infamy,” the United States declared war against the Empire of Japan and on December 11, 1941 Japan’s ally, Germany, declared war on the United States.  Sixteen million Americans, mostly young working age men, would serve in the military during WWII, out of an overall United States population of 113 million.  While an unprecedented number of young men would serve in World War II, the country would drastically increase its war production on the Home Front, serving not only the needs of the armed forces of the United States but her allies as well - what President Franklin Roosevelt called “The Arsenal of Democracy.”  The combination of so many serving in the military, during a period of necessary and drastic increases in production, led to unprecedented social changes on the American Home Front.

Shortage of Workers

Velma Briggs Moore, at right, with a coworker at Marinship in Sausalito, California.

RORI 3636

A shortage of white male workers led to active recruitment, by the United States Government and American businesses, to war industry jobs.  Initially white middle class women were recruited, followed by minority men, and finally minority women.  Integration of women and minorities into the workforce was initially met with resistance, however, the new opportunities for women and minorities “cracked open” the door to equal rights and would have profound impacts on the Civil Rights and Women’s Movements during the following decades. During World War II six million women served in non-traditional jobs in the defense industries.  These women later came to be known as ‘Rosies”, based upon a popular song from 1943 entitled, “Rosie the Riveter”, about a women building planes during the war.

Boom Towns

Double Bottom Assembly crew at Kaiser, Richmond Shipyard No. 4

Photo by Nadaner Studios. Courtesy Rosie the Riveter/WWII Home Front NHP. RORI 1039

The World War II period resulted in the largest number of people migrating within the United States, in the history of the country.  Individuals and families relocated to industrial centers for good paying war jobs, and out of a sense of patriotic duty.  Many industrial centers became “boom towns”, growing at phenomenal rates.  One example, the City of Richmond, California, grew from a population of under 24,000 to over 100,000 during the war.  Workers from around the nation had to intermingle with each other and overcome differences, in order to meet war demands.  Following World War II, many migrants decided to stay in their new homes, forever changing the cultural landscape of the United States.

Working Conditions and Challenges

Home Front workers faced many challenges and many of which would lead to change. Working conditions on the Home Front were difficult and dangerous.  Between the bombing of Pearl Harbor in December of 1941 and the D-Day Invasion of Europe in June of 1944, there were more Home Front industrial casualties than military casualties.  This high number of industrial casualties would lead to improved work place safety and regulations. Another challenge faced by working women on the Home Front was childcare, as mothers comprised a significant portion of the work force.  In some progressive communities and businesses this led to the establishment of child development centers, although nationwide only 10% of women had access to professional childcare.

Rationing on the Home Front

Poster from WWII

Public Domain

In addition to Home Front workers, everyone was expected to be an active participant in the war effort. Rationing was a way of life as twenty commodities were rationed and people were asked to, “Use it up – Wear it out – Make it do – or Do without.” Materials vital to the war effort were collected, often by youth groups, and recycled.   Many Americans supported the war effort by purchasing war bonds.  Women replaced men in sports leagues, orchestras and community institutions.  Americans grew 60% of the produce they consumed in “Victory Gardens”.  The war effort on the United States Home Front was a total effort.

Preserving History

The Visitor Education Center at the Rosie the Riveter/WWII Home Front National Historical Park

NPS Photo

Rosie the Riveter/WWII Home Front National Historical Park was established in Richmond, California in the year 2000, to tell this national story.  The Kaiser Shipyards in Richmond produced 747 cargo ships during World War II, the most productive shipyards in history.  In addition, Richmond had a total of 55 war industries.  Richmond also has a large number of intact historical buildings from the period and the Richmond Museum Association, one of the parks cooperative partners, operates the SS Red Oak Victory, the last remaining Victory Ship built in the Richmond Shipyards.