Focus: Rationing in World War II

Just months after entering World War II, the U.S. government instituted rationing. Channeling basic resources to the military meant that citizens at home had to cut down on their own consumption. A massive propaganda blitz began-to convince citizens of their patriotic duty to do with less, reuse items, and turn in scrap metals for the war effort. The primary sources in this Focus portfolio--a full-size ration book with instructions; ration cards, coupons, and certificates; sugarless and meat substitute recipes; and government propaganda posters--will involve students in the burdens Americans faced and help convey the sense of community that was fostered during this era. Support Materials: * Illustrated Broadsheet Essay * Timeline * Critical Thinking Questions with Response Key * Recommended Reading List 8 Primary Source Documents: * War Ration Book One, 1942 * Instructions for using War Ration Book One, 1942 * Excerpt from rationing orders issued by Office of War Information in cooperation with State Defense Council of Florida, 1943 * Office of War Information poster urging citizens not to patronize black markets, 1943 * Pages from "Sugarless and Meat Substitute Recipes," York County Farm Bureau, 1945 * Poster of rationing cards, coupons, stamps, and rationing-related photographs * Part III of Office of Price Administration certificate for men's rubber footwear, 1942 * Parts A-E of Office of Price Administration certificate for new passenger automobile, 1942