Did Americans have rations in WW2?

Question

Obviously here in the uk we had rations, but i seem to remember from history lessons the British loving Americans cos they brought over stuff we didn't have?
Also, was war compulsory for men in the US?

Answer 1

Yes, the US did have rationing, but it wasn't anything like as harsh as in Britain.
Yes, the US did have conscription.

The following was an article that appeared in a local newspaper, in Fulton County.
Friday, April 23, 1943
RATION REMINDERS

NOT ALL FOOD IS RATIONED - Chief unrationed items are eggs, fresh fruits and vegetables, dried and dehydrated fruits (prunes, raisins, etc.) fish and shellfish of all varieties except that in sealed containers, bread and cereals, milk, grain products such as spaghetti, macaroni and noodles, poultry and game, jams, preserves and jellies, mayonnaise and salad dressing, perishable cheeses.

RED STAMP RATIONING - This covers all meats, butter, fats and oils, and cheese (except the soft, perishable varieties). Each person is allowed sixteen points a week.

BLUE STAMP RATIONING - These stamps cover canned, bottled and frozen fruits and vegetables and their juices, dry beans, peas, lentils, etc., and processed foods such as soups, baby foods, baked beans, catsup and chili sauce.

SHOES - No. 17 coupon in War Ration Book 1 is good for one pair until June 15. Families may pool coupons of a household.
COFFEE - Coupon No. 25, in War Ration Book 1, good for one pound of coffee, expires Sunday, April 25.
SUGAR - Coupon No. 12 in War Ration Book 1 is good for five pounds, but this must last through May 31.
GASOLINE - A, B and C coupons each are worth three gallons. T coupons are good for five gallons each. The A coupons numbered 5 must last through July 21, which is double the time of previous ration periods. B and C books bear own expiration dates.
FUEL OIL - Period 5 coupons, which must last you through Sept. 30, are now valid for ten gallons (household type) and 100 gallons (institutional type). The O. P. A. advises you to save the stubs from ration sheets - you will need them when the new heating season begins on Oct. 1.
TIRES - Tires for essential driving are available on application to rationing boards. Recapping with reclaimed rubber camelback (Grade F) is now available to all without restriction.

The Draft during World War Two.
The first peacetime conscription came with the Selective Service Act of 1940, which established the Selective Service System as an independent agency.
The duration of service was originally twelve months. It was expanded to eighteen months in 1941.
When the United States entered World War II, service was required until six months after the end of the war.
As manpower need increased during World War II, draftees were inducted into the U.S. Marine Corps as well as the U.S. Army.
During this time period the US lowered the draft age to 17.

Answer 2

Yes, they did have rations. My dad and mom told me about them. The one thing I remember specifically was that they saved their cooking fat and I know there were other things as well. There were a lot of shortages and people went without so that the troops could have what they needed.
There was a draft and if you got the letter you had to go. My grandfather was nearly 35 when he got his and had 3 small children. He eventually wound up at the Battle of the Bulge at St. Vith. Fortunately, he eventualy made it home with just shrapnel and a missing eye. I Americans didn't have nearly the hardships the Brits did, but they suffered much loss and hardship because of the war and many many families struggled on without dads, brothers, sons and spouses. Don't forget that we also fought the Japanese in the Pacific and lost many fine servicemen and women there as well. Two of my uncles served in the Navy in PT boats in and near the Phillipines.

Answer 3

For sure we did any country going throught such a war would have to.Now mabe we just had rations on different items so most likley we had a surplus of things the british didnt have.
Also Id say war is pretty compulsory over here .

Answer 4

Every item of worth during the World War II era was rationed to the point of exercising prudence and thrift, but not so much as direct rationing. The cost of living was low, but so too were the incomes of the average family. Patriotism rode high throughout the country--unlike the divisiveness of today's war in Iraq.

America took great pride in saving for our American troops overseas, whether it was limited use of fuel and foods.

The draft for America's qualified men was in force during World War II, Korea, and Vietnam.

Answer 5

In the early '50s, my family had a big ice box, not a refrigerator. The ice man delivered once a week. Three other families in our apartment building kept their milk and butter in our icebox in the summer -- and out on a kitchen window ledge in the winter! There was not one refrigerator or freezer in the whole building. I never tasted french fries until 1958. My mother had one 8-ounce Coke once a week, and we kids each got half of one. Never heard of tacos in those days, and spaghetti was macaroni with tomato sauce. Americans may have had it better than people in some other countries, but I often heard my parents talk about the rationing and shortages they experienced during the war years. I wouldn't call their lives luxurious.

Answer 6

I was born in 1942 and have my ration coupons as well as some red and blue cardboard coins about the size of a dime. Not only was there a thorough rationing, but the government also came by houses to collect bacon grease as well as aluminum pots and pans. They attempted to mine Bauxite in my grandmother's back yard and left a larg pit there.

Answer 7

Yes. When my grandmother passed away, we found some old ration tickets from WW2. I think they were things like flour and sugar. There were others as well, but that was whar we found.

The men were drafted, but some voluntrred before the draft.

My grandfather was too old to serve (mid 40's), but they put him in charge of blackout drills for their town of Greenbay Wisconsin!

Answer 8

Yes, People in the United States did have things rationed in WW2.

Also U.S. male citizens volunteered and were drafted into military service.

Answer 9

yes to both questions. We had rationing of many things.. gas, tobacco, rubber, sugar, salt, fat, butter, flour, and many of our customs were enhanced by that (ie, friday fish frys) as for our GIs having things you didnt have... They were the REASON for our rationing. Fat was used to pack ammunition, butter, sugar, gas, rubber etc was all used by our troops to fight, so our parents went without.
As for compulsatory fighting.. yes we had the draft. There were restrictions placed on it later, such as medical, height, weight, family members already serving, (see "Saving Private Ryan") But generally speaking, if you were old enough, you served.

Answer 10

So that America could support the war effort; the millions of men and women going to war who needed fed, the support to allies who needed fed, the support to nations at war like China that needed fed.... We rationed so that the world could eat.


http://www.u-s-history.com/pages/h1674.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_home_front_during_World_War_II

http://www.scc.rutgers.edu/njwomenshistory/Period_5/ration.htm


And, yes, there was compulsory service in WWII:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conscription_in_the_United_States



g-day!