A full-size ration book with stamps, front pages of newspapers, the Declaration of War on Japan, advertisements on conserving fats, a canteen welcome card, documents about labor strikes and prejudice in the workplace, dozens of photos and other documents bring to life the American home front during WWII. Students will enjoy the description of their grandparents’ experiences as welders who made tanks, students who gathered scrap, and citizens who served in the civil defense. The inconsistencies of mistreatment of black and Japanese U. S. citizens are also included. Historian: David Jefferies, adapted by Muriel L. Dubois. The contents of this Jackdaw feature:

Broadsheets

• Before the War
• America Goes to War
• Living with Rationing
• Division in America
• The Home Front after Victory

Timeline: 1929-1945

Historical Documents

• Congressional Record, December 8, 1941.
• Front page, San Francisco Call Bulletin, December 9, 1941.
• Excerpts from Rhode Island “Citizens’ Defense Manual.”
• Identification cards for Civil Defense and Aircraft Warning Service.
• War Production Board advertisement on conserving fats.
• War Ration Book Four, 1943.
• Letter written during the month meat rationing began, 1943.
• OWI publication, “The Negroes’ Role in the War,” 1943.
• Letter from National Federation for Constitutional Liberties about race riots, 1943.
• Issue of The Home Front, Connecticut War Council, 1943.
• CIO canteen welcome card.
• National Munitions Company strike documents, 1943.
• Case study, Bendix Aviation and workplace prejudice.
• Newspaper advertisements, 1941 and 1945.
• Front page, San Francisco Call Bulletin, August 15, 1945.

Reproducible Student Activities