Changes

The war mobilization also changed the [[Congress of Industrial Organizations|CIO's]] relationship with both employers and the national government; much less is known about the rival [[American Federation of Labor|AFL]] during the war.<ref>Lichtenstein, ''Labor's War at Home: The CIO in World War II'' (2003)</ref>

The war mobilization also changed the [[Congress of Industrial Organizations|CIO's]] relationship with both employers and the national government; much less is known about the rival [[American Federation of Labor|AFL]] during the war.<ref>Lichtenstein, ''Labor's War at Home: The CIO in World War II'' (2003)</ref>

Nearly all the unions that belonged to the CIO were fully supportive of both the war effort and of the Roosevelt administration. However the coal miners led by John L Lewis, who had taken an isolationist stand in the years leading up to the war in a show of solidarity with the Soviet Union. Because Roosevelt was helping to defeat Germany, and Germany was allied to Russia, the left wing unionists tried to slow down the war effort through strikes in 1940-41. As soon as Russia was attacked by Germany they changed positions and became all-out supporters of the war. Indeed the leftists tried to stop rank-and-file members from striking for higher wages because that would slow the flow of war material to Russia.  The CIO supported a wartime no-strike pledge that aimed to eliminate not only major strikes for new contracts, but also the innumerable small strikes called by [[shop steward]]s and local union leadership to protest particular grievances.

Nearly all the unions that belonged to the CIO were fully supportive of both the war effort and of the Roosevelt administration. However the coal miners led by John L Lewis, who had taken an isolationist stand in the years leading up to the war in a show of solidarity with the Soviet Union. Because Roosevelt was helping to defeat Germany, and Germany was allied to Russia, the left wing unionists tried to slow down the war effort through strikes in 1940-41. As soon as Russia was attacked by Germany they changed positions and became all-out supporters of the war. Indeed, the leftists tried to stop rank-and-file members from striking for higher wages because that would slow the flow of war material to Russia.  The CIO supported a wartime no-strike pledge that aimed to eliminate not only major strikes for new contracts, but also the innumerable small strikes called by [[shop steward]]s and local union leadership to protest particular grievances.

The CIO did not, on the other hand, strike over wages during the war. In return for labor's no-strike pledge, the government offered arbitration to determine the wages and other terms of new contracts. Wages went up, and so did prices. The union members made very high incomes thanks to overtime (paid at 150%), and rapid promotions to higher-paid positions, as well as jobs for all family members who wanted one.  

The CIO did not, on the other hand, strike over wages during the war. In return for labor's no-strike pledge, the government offered arbitration to determine the wages and other terms of new contracts. Wages went up, and so did prices. The union members made very high incomes thanks to overtime (paid at 150%), and rapid promotions to higher-paid positions, as well as jobs for all family members who wanted one.  

The traditional role of housewife became easier because there was so much spending money available, and harder because of rationing, shortages, cutbacks in automobile and bus service, and migration from farms and towns to munitions centers. Those housewives who worked found the dual role difficult to handle.  

The traditional role of housewife became easier because there was so much spending money available, and harder because of rationing, shortages, cutbacks in automobile and bus service, and migration from farms and towns to munitions centers. Those housewives who worked found the dual role difficult to handle.  

The worst psychological pressure came when sons, husbands, brothers and fiances were drafted and sent to faraway training camps, preparing for a war in which nobody knew how many would be killed. Millions of wives tried to relocate near their husbands' training camps.<ref>Campbell, ''Women at War with America'' (1984)</ref>

The worst psychological pressure came when sons, husbands, brothers and finances were drafted and sent to faraway training camps, preparing for a war in which nobody knew how many would be killed. Millions of wives tried to relocate near their husbands' training camps.<ref>Campbell, ''Women at War with America'' (1984)</ref>

==Role of minorities==

==Role of minorities==

* Kennedy, David M. ''Freedom from Fear: The American People in Depression and War, 1929-1945.'' (1999) [http://www.questia.com/PM.qst?a=o&d=52284041 online edition]

* Kennedy, David M. ''Freedom from Fear: The American People in Depression and War, 1929-1945.'' (1999) [http://www.questia.com/PM.qst?a=o&d=52284041 online edition]

* Polenberg, Richard. ''War and Society: The United States, 1941-1945'' (1980)

* Polenberg, Richard. ''War and Society: The United States, 1941-1945'' (1980)

* Resch, John Phillips et al eds. ''Americans at War: Society, Culture, and the Homefront'' vol 3 (2005), an encyclopedia   

* Resch, John Phillips et al. eds. ''Americans at War: Society, Culture, and the Homefront'' vol 3 (2005), an encyclopedia   

* Winkler, Allan M. ''Home Front U.S.A.: America During World War II'' (1986). short survey

* Winkler, Allan M. ''Home Front U.S.A.: America During World War II'' (1986). short survey

* ''10 Eventful Years: 1937-1946'' 4 vol. Encyclopedia Britannica, 1947. Highly detailed encyclopedia of events

* ''10 Eventful Years: 1937-1946'' 4 vol. Encyclopædia Britannica, 1947. Highly detailed encyclopedia of events

===Economy and labor===

===Economy and labor===