Conserving Clothing, Fight Waste Booklet, page 19, 1944

Once the United States entered World War 2, it became evident that conservation efforts needed to be made in all areas of the economy. People on the home front contributed to the war effort by rationing consumer goods, recycling, buying war bonds, and replacing men in the factories with women.

Our soldiers needed lots of clothing–three to ten times more than Americans on the home front. The clothing industry had to work at top speed in order to clothe the soldiers. Factories shifted their production to the needs of the military. Because of this, the amount of consumer goods became limited. If people at home could cut down on their supply of new clothing, it would be helpful to the war effort. Booklets were distributed to Americans on how they could extend the life of their clothing.

Next, the government began a rationing program in which consumers were limited in the amount of goods they could purchase. A massive advertising campaign urged households to avoid waste. “Food is a weapon” became the slogan of the Wartime Nutritional Program. Housewives were encouraged to recycle fats, bottles, tin, copper, paper, etc. They were called upon to be creative in planning meals based on the rationed food that was available to them. Because of their sacrifices, the people on the home front played a major part in the war effort.

 

How does war impact a society?

 

Summarize the main idea of this document and evaluate the impact on the general public.