Mobilizing A Nation For War

Woman working on a Wright R-2600 Twin Cyclone aircraft engine at the North American Aviation, Inc., plant in Inglewood, California. 1942

Alfred T. Palmer, Photographer. Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division. LC-DIG-fsac-1a35287

World War II called upon American industry to essentially stop what it had been doing and dedicate everything towards building tanks, planes and armaments for the Allied forces. Domestic auto production ceased during the war years, nylon stockings were hard to find, and steel was used for pennies to save precious copper. Everything changed and everyone made sacrifices.

America's labor market witnessed tens of millions of workers entering industrial centers from previously service sector or agrarian jobs. Millions of students, retirees, housewives, and unemployed moved into the active labor force. By 1945 the United States had become the world's top industrial producer.

To learn more about the experience of Americans on the home front click on a link to read about the people, places, and events that shaped the war effort at home.

People / Places / Stories

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