Home fronts of major countires
Soviet Union:
The whole of the Soviet Union became dedicated to the war effort. The population of the Soviet Union was probably better prepared than any other nation involved in fighting in World War 2 to endure the material hardships of the war. This is mainly because the Soviets were so used to shortages and coping with economic crisis in the past, especially during wartime, brought similar restrictions on food.
Britain:
Britain's total mobilization during this period proved to be successful in winning the war, by maintaining strong support from public opinion. The war was a "people's war" that enlarged democratic aspirations and produced promises of a postwar welfare state.
Germany:
Germany had not fully mobilized his Forces in 1939, not even in 1941. Not until 1943, under Albert Speer did Germany finally redirect its entire economy and manpower to war production. Instead of using all available Germans, it brought in millions of workers from conquered countries, Germany's economy was simply too small for a longer all-out war. Hitler's strategy was to change this by a series of surprise wars known as “Blitzkrieg”. His plan with using Blitzkrieg failed because of defeats in Russia in 1941 and 1942.
Japan:
The Japanese home front was not very well organized, the government paid more attention to propaganda and not enough on mobilization of manpower, food supplies, logistics, air raid shelters, and the evacuation of civilians from targeted cities. There was only a small increase of women entering the labor force between 1940 and 1944. The minister of welfare announced, "In order to secure its labor force, the enemy is drafting women”, but in Japan, out of consideration for the family system, didn’t not draft any woman.
United States:
The United States supported the war effort in many ways, including a wide range of volunteer efforts and submitting to government-managed rationing and price controls. Everyone agreed that the sacrifices were for the nation’s best interest. The labor market changed dramatically. This was achieved by tens of millions of workers moving from low to high productivity jobs in industrial centers. Millions of students, retirees, housewives, and unemployed people moved into the active labor force. Production of most goods, like cars, new housing, and kitchen appliances, were banned until the war ended. Gasoline, meat, and clothing were rationed. Prices and wages were controlled by the government.
updated May 12, 2015
The whole of the Soviet Union became dedicated to the war effort. The population of the Soviet Union was probably better prepared than any other nation involved in fighting in World War 2 to endure the material hardships of the war. This is mainly because the Soviets were so used to shortages and coping with economic crisis in the past, especially during wartime, brought similar restrictions on food.
Britain:
Britain's total mobilization during this period proved to be successful in winning the war, by maintaining strong support from public opinion. The war was a "people's war" that enlarged democratic aspirations and produced promises of a postwar welfare state.
Germany:
Germany had not fully mobilized his Forces in 1939, not even in 1941. Not until 1943, under Albert Speer did Germany finally redirect its entire economy and manpower to war production. Instead of using all available Germans, it brought in millions of workers from conquered countries, Germany's economy was simply too small for a longer all-out war. Hitler's strategy was to change this by a series of surprise wars known as “Blitzkrieg”. His plan with using Blitzkrieg failed because of defeats in Russia in 1941 and 1942.
Japan:
The Japanese home front was not very well organized, the government paid more attention to propaganda and not enough on mobilization of manpower, food supplies, logistics, air raid shelters, and the evacuation of civilians from targeted cities. There was only a small increase of women entering the labor force between 1940 and 1944. The minister of welfare announced, "In order to secure its labor force, the enemy is drafting women”, but in Japan, out of consideration for the family system, didn’t not draft any woman.
United States:
The United States supported the war effort in many ways, including a wide range of volunteer efforts and submitting to government-managed rationing and price controls. Everyone agreed that the sacrifices were for the nation’s best interest. The labor market changed dramatically. This was achieved by tens of millions of workers moving from low to high productivity jobs in industrial centers. Millions of students, retirees, housewives, and unemployed people moved into the active labor force. Production of most goods, like cars, new housing, and kitchen appliances, were banned until the war ended. Gasoline, meat, and clothing were rationed. Prices and wages were controlled by the government.
updated May 12, 2015