why was the US able to expand its war production so quickly after the attack on Pearl Harbor?

Answer 1

Buy war bonds!

Answer 2

In many ways, the underlying conditions for expanded production capacity were in place already. The New Deal had created an infrastructure that would be ready to meet the needs of a nation at war at the cost of a huge national debt. Also, with the lend-lease programme with the United Kingdom, the U.S. was already in the stages of preparation even before the Pearl Harbour attacks.

The other major factor was the introduction of an expanded labour force in the form of women in factories. The stigma of women in the workplace was overcome by the pressing needs of production for the war effort. If you effectively double the labour force while generating a high demand and the means to meet that, it is little wonder that the expansion happened at the rate that it did.

Answer 3

If the Japanese action was the only thing limiting the outcome, the answer would actually be no. America would not have entered the war. Before Pearl Harbor, America's strongest lobby was the Isolationist Lobby. They believed that the vastness of the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans protected the US, and while FDR wanted desperately to help Britain against Nazi Germany, the Isolationists had fought tooth and nail against everything FDR tried, short of actual war. They protested Lend Lease, they protested the sale of US WWI destroyers to Britain... why? They refused to push for war when the Nazis bombed Rotterdam, AFTER it surrendered... when the Nazis firebombed Coventry and the London docks. Why? Because the Nazis were EUROPE'S problem, not America's. Without Pearl Harbor, the Isolationists were quite willing to let Hitler win in Europe, and many were even eager to do business with Hitler's Europe. Some direct attack on American soil was necessary in order to get the isolationists to realize how stupid the argument of "if we ignore it, it will go away" really was. That said, looking at the European conflict, remember that Germany was lead by Adolf Hitler. One of the most evil men in history, but also one of the strategically stupidest "generals" in history. In the original time-line, he declared war on America in support of Japan, even while his biggest single gamble of the war, the invasion of the Soviet Union was failing... which he only undertook in 41, because he thought Britain would surrender if he defeated the Soviets. So, had there been no Pearl Harbor attack and Japan avoided a direct confrontation with America, it is probable that America would have entered the European war eventually. Either German U-boats would sink enough American vessels to turn American opinion in favor of entering the war (repeat of WWI causes), or Hitler would have done something profoundly stupid, such as declare war on America for reasons that we can only imagine...

Answer 4

Because American Industry was Ready - - - while increased profits were rolling in during the late 1930's due to supplying arms to Britain despite objections from many Americans, instead of tossing those funds into fat bonses and other extravagences, American Industry funneled that money into retooling their factories. American Industry was able to hit the ground running, not only tools & dies but clearances for construction were already in the pipeline.

Several American Industrialist actually threw the dice that there would be war. If Japan had not provided the spark that ignited Americas involvment in World War Two more than a few American companies could have ended up bankrupt; Boeing, Chrysler, Dodge and Douglass,Ford, General Motors, all strapped themselves against the day the bombs rained on Pearl Harbor. When FDR said "Go," American Industry hit the ground running.

It must be stated that not just making machiner for war but the whole apparatus of building new factories, fuel & metals & minerals, clearances & licences, tangled agreements between companies that otherwise hated one another, homes for workers, transportation and services for workers, all of these plans wear prepared, wistfully from 1933 on, forcefully from 1938.

Peace....

Answer 5

It was simply a matter of converting the existing production fascilities. American tanks were produced, not at a dedicated weopons fascility, but at locomotive works. Bombers utilized the Ford car factories. Because these fascilities had already geared up for mass production, simply re-gigging for a different product takes a comparitivly short period of time.

The same thing happened in Russia. Manstien drew up his projections for Russian arms production if the existing tractor factories were set to work producing tanks and guns. The high command poo pooed his concerns as far fetched. Go figure.

Luck

Answer 6

I have to agree with one of the other submitters, when he says that the American Companies actually cared then, because what he says is true. Another reason, is Patriotism, which really doesn't exist today. After 9/11 you saw the flags, the heroism, and the boost of community support. Notice now, that that is gone. Its just like after the Korean and Vietnam war. We treat our troops like crap, we frown upon the actions of our president, we look for advice and support from people like Cindy Sheehan who says that war is stupid, and uncalled, for, etc...
If after Pearl Harbor we did not retaliate the next locations were already chosen and that was California. What's next after NYC? I'd rather take the war to them, than allow them to bring it to us.
SUPPORT OUR TROOPS "LEST WE FORGET"

Answer 7

The U.S. , even tho suffering the afteraffects of the Great Depression, was still a major industrial powerhouse. Factories that were closed due to the depression were easy to retool to churn out war materials. The resources were allways there, just not being used.

Answer 8

Because there was a war on and the business changed footing to accommodate the need for the materials for the war. It is amazing what something like that can do for the people. :)

Answer 9

American casualties were 2403 dead and 1178 wounded.[1] 188 aircraft were destroyed and five battleships, one minelayer, and three destroyers were sunk or severely damaged. By contrast, Japan's losses were 64 dead, 1 captured, 29 aircraft, and 5 midget submarines.

Luickily most of our industries were all on the mainland, so they attack did not hit any factories.

Answer 10

Because American companies gave a damn about our country then. the stopped production of whatever their factories were making and made tools of war,to help their country. now that all the companies are globalized the loyalties are torn and besides they sent most of the factories overseas

Answer 11

The US set up a brains trust to find all the capable workshops to carry out the needed production.~~