US Government Propaganda Poster
on the Average Citizen
US Government Propaganda Poster |
Effects of WWII on the Average Citizen |
DIRECTIONS: Read the historical background, view each document, and answer the questions that follow the document on the Answer Sheet.
Historical
Background:
The United States went to war in 1941, when Japan bombed Pearl Harbor.
Resources of all kinds were diverted to support the national war effort.
The US asked their citizens to help in every way that they could. The
cost to fight this war was tremendous and the government needed money to
pay for the massive arms that would be needed. The government encouraged
Americans to buy War bonds and stamps to loan money to the government for the
war.
They conserved raw materials, collected metal, paper, and rubber and recycled it.
Consumer goods became scarce as war production grew. The government
rationed, or limited, the amount of some goods that Americans could buy.
They had to use ration coupons to buy gasoline, tires, coffee, sugar,
meat, and shoes. When the coupons ran out, people could not buy the
rationed item until the new monthly coupons were received. Families planted "gardens for victory" and
canned the vegetables to save food.
Because commercially canned goods were rationed, the Victory Garden became
an indispensable source of food for the home front. The Victory Garden was
a household activity during the war and one of the most well received of
all home front chores. At its peak, it is estimated that nearly 20 million
gardens were grown and about 40 percent of all vegetables produced in the
U.S. came from Victory Gardens. The American public rallied behind the troops over
seas and they gave their lives.
War Bonds & Stamps
 |
 |
 |
1. Why did the US government want Americans to buy war bonds?
2. What did the government buy with the war bond money?
3. Look at the middle propaganda poster that uses fear tactics. Explain what will happen if the public doesn't buy enough war bonds?
Recycling
 Source: Frank M. Spangler, The Right Steps, n.d., Frank M. Spangler Cartoons & Clippings, PB Range I, Section 4, Shelf e, Box 1, Folder 6, Alabama Department of Archives & History, Montgomery, Alabama. 1 |
 Students Girl scouts collecting metal to be recycled.
2 |
 Source: Frank M. Spangler, Bearing Down, n.d., Frank M. Spangler Cartoons & Clippings, PB Range I, Section 4, Shelf e, Box 1, Folder 2, Alabama Department of Archives & History, Montgomery, Alabama. 3 |
4. What did the USA produce for the war effort with the recycled metal?
5. In poster #3, what does Uncle Sam represent?
6. In poster #3, what does the man under the scale represent?
7. In poster #1 and #3, explain how recycling scrap metal can crush the Axis countries?
Rationing
 Dr. Seuss Political Cartoon |
|
8. Explain how ration coupon books were used?
9. Why did the American public have to ration goods?
10. What goods were rationed?
11. In the political cartoon, Giving the Axis a Lift, who are you helping when you waste gasoline?
Victory Gardens
 A Garden Will Make Your Rations Go Further |
 |
 |
12. What were "Victory Gardens"?
13. Why were "Victory Gardens" necessary during WWII?
14. Were "Victory Gardens" a successful program? Give reasons to support your answer.
Critical Thinking Directions
Write a well organized essay that includes a strong introduction, body (topic and closing sentence for each paragraph), and conclusion that analyzes and interprets the assigned task Follow the RUBRIC when writing your report
Use the information from the documents and the answers to the questions to support your response
Do not simply repeat the contents of the documents
Include details, examples or reasons to develop your ideas
Utilize specific related outside information (your knowledge of social studies)
| Title | Introduction | Task | Process | Resources | Evaluation | Conclusion | Teacher |
