Can anybody help me with WWII rationing?

Question

Im doing a project on rationing for WWII and i need some help. Can you fill me in on what you know?

Answer 1

During WWII, there was a real need for soldiers to get supplies that were essential for them to fight: food, gasoline, rubber and the like. The US's ability to get some of these was further hampered by disruptions to shipping due to the war. Therefore, rationing was set up to ensure that there would be no worries about leaving the soldiers in poor supply, as well as making sure the general public was adequately provisioned.
People got stamp books for certain goods, with varying levels depending on the scarcity of the goods. People also had a point system which they could use to figure out what they could get.
Not shockingly, there was a black market that sprung up of people selling extra goods for a profit. The government tried to convince people to honor the ration system and avoid the black market.
There was also a very strong propaganda effort to help ensure that people sacrificed and did not waste and helped the war effort. People were also encouraged to use substitutes, grow their own food, and join carpooling clubs.

Answer 2

It was very different in the U.S. and Britain.
Two movies that treat it in a funny way (in Britain) are A PRIVATE FUNCTION and PASSPORT TO PIMLICO.
There are also some episodes of "Foyle's War" (tv-series) that deal with rationing and black market crimes re: food.
And, in Britain rationing went on for years after WW2, and was a bitter subject to many people, but in America it ended immediately when the war did.
This is a subject where research in old magazines and newspapers circa 1941-1942 (earlier if you need Great Britian) would really pay off. This would give you first hand details about the government instructions and citizen reactions to rationing.

Answer 3

Mom told me they used to collect all the scrap metal they could find and turn it in for cash (sort of like recycling now, not a new idea!). They could get into the movies if they took a tin can to turn in at the box office.

Silk (and later nylon) was used for parachutes. There were no stockings for women to wear so leg painting became popular.

My uncle was in the airborne. He saw many of his buddies killed right beside him in the trenches. He came back alive but had nightmares for the rest of his life.

There was no rationing of smiles:

"Pack up your troubles in your old kit bag and
Smile, smile, smile!
Pack up your troubles in your old kit bag!
Smile, boys, that's the style!
What's the use in worrying?
It never was worthwhile, so
Pack up your troubles in your old kit bag and
Smile, smile, smile!"

We're Canadians, eh?