Anyone have some good examples of the rationing that went on in WW2? I'm teaching a unit on it in a few weeks and would like some specific evidence to demonstrate that the war did not get the US out of the depression, since no sane person would consider a time when rationing is widespread to be a good economic period.
Mtn Dew: Anyone have some good examples of the rationing that went on in WW2? I'm teaching a unit on it in a few weeks and would like some specific evidence to demonstrate that the war did not get the US out of the depression, since no sane person would consider a time when rationing is widespread to be a good economic period.
Gasoline, tires, butter, nylon, sugar, meat, cheese and lard were among the many items subject to rationing in World War II. For example, most people had the "A Card" ration books for gasoline, which allowed the driver only three gallons of gas per week.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rationing
The article has links to additional non wikipedia articles.
I know what was rationed, I would like to find some specific examples. For instance, the government only allowing people to own a certain number of tires.
Mtn Dew: I know what was rationed, I would like to find some specific examples. For instance, the government only allowing people to own a certain number of tires.
That particular question I can answer. You were permitted five and ONLY five tires per vehicle. Any excess tires were confiscated.
Yeah, that's the only one I know off the top of my head. I'd like to know if anyone has a list that has actual numbers. I found a list once that had how many gallons of gas each person could use per week, it was based on one's job.
from http://www.alumnibhs.com/old%20geezer%20photos/gas_rationing_during_ww2.htm
In May of 1942, the U.S. Office of Price Administration (OPA) froze prices on practically all everyday goods, starting with sugar and coffee. War Ration Books were issued to each American family, dictating how much any one person could buy. The first nonfood item rationed was rubber. The Japanese had seized plantations in the Dutch East Indies that produced 90% of America's raw rubber. President Franklin D. Roosevelt called on citizens to contribute scrap rubber, "old tires, old rubber raincoats, garden hose, rubber shoes, bathing caps.". The OPA established the Idle Tire Purchase Plan, and could deny Mileage Rations to anyone owning passenger tires not in use. The national maximum "Victory Speed" was 35 miles an hour. "Driving clubs" or carpools were encouraged. A magazine ad declared, "Your Car is a War Car Now." Gasoline was rationed on May 15, 1942 on the east coast, and nationwide that December. The OPA issued various stickers to be affixed to the car's windshield, depending on need. To get your classification and ration stamps, you had to certify to a local board that you needed gas and owned no more than five tires. The 'A' sticker was issued to owners whose use of their cars was nonessential. Hand the pump jockey your Mileage Ration Book coupons and cash, and she (yes, female service station attendants) could sell you three or four gallons a week, no more. For nearly a year, A-stickered cars were not to be driven for pleasure at all. The green 'B' sticker was for driving deemed essential to the war effort; industrial war workers, for example, could purchase eight gallons a week. Red 'C' stickers indicated physicians, ministers, mail carriers and railroad workers, and incidentally were the most counterfeited type. 'T' was for truckers, and the rare 'X' sticker went to Members of Congress and other VIPs. by Paul DeLucchi
from http://www.genealogytoday.com/guide/ww2/clipping_18.html
War Ration Book No. 1 -- first in the history of the United States -- will shortly be issued to consumers. It will limit their purchases of sugar -- beginnning around the middle of March -- to 12 ounces per individual per week. Use of sugar by industrial consumers has already been limited to 80 per cent of the amounts they used in 1941 and will be further restricted after family rationing is placed in effect.
this page http://www.ameshistoricalsociety.org/exhibits/events/rationing3.htm
has a photo of the point system used. You got 48 points a month for food. A can of peas was 16 points. 3 cans of peas and you were through for the month. No more food for you.
My humble blog
It's easy to refute an argument if you first misrepresent it. William Keizer
Now that's what I'm talking about.
Why on Earth people would say such a time was anything but a depression is crazy to me.