The Great Depression had a profound impact on American society. More than 15 million Americans were unemployed by 1932, and many more had seen their savings wiped out in the stock market crash of 1929. The hardship caused by the Depression led to an increase in crime rates and civil unrest across the country. The federal government responded to the crisis with a series of programs and policies designed to help the American people get back on their feet.
In 1933, President Franklin D. Roosevelt created the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC), which provided jobs for young men during the Depression. The CCC put millions of Americans to work on projects like planting trees, building roads, and fighting forest fires. Roosevelt also established the Social Security Administration (SSA) in 1935, which provided financial assistance to elderly and disabled Americans.
But, the big question is what WWII prepping lessons did we learn? After WWII, what did the world take away from all the heartache and turmoil?
Shortages during WWII
There were shortages of many things during WWII, including food, gas, and other supplies. This was due to the fact that resources were being redirected to the war effort. Rationing was implemented in order to make sure that everyone had enough to get by. WWII prepping lessons started happening with shortages, future generations would learn from this!
Lesson: Creativity with food
People had to get creative with their meals during WWII due to the shortages. Some strange meals people ate included “war cake” made with no eggs, milk, or butter and “mock apple pie” made with crackers, sugar, and cinnamon.
Lesson: Rationing during WWII
Rationing was a way of life during WWII. People were given ration books that allowed them to purchase a certain amount of food and other supplies each week. This was done in order to make sure that everyone had enough to get by and that resources were being used efficiently.
What other things were rationed during WWII?
In addition to food, other things that were rationed during WWII included gas, clothes, and shoes. This was done in order to save resources for the war effort.
Rationing was a difficult adjustment for many people. Many people had to make major changes to their lifestyle in order to adjust to rationing. This included learning how to cook with less, finding new ways to get around without gas, and making do with fewer clothes.
Lesson: Clothing during WWII
Some people were able to make their own clothes, while others bought clothes from second-hand stores. Many people also made do with the clothes they had and mended them when they became damaged.
Lesson: Canning food was important
Canning food was a way of preserving food for later consumption. This was important during WWII because it allowed people to have food when fresh produce was not available.
In addition to food, people also canned water, gasoline, and other liquids. This was done in order to make sure that people had access to these resources even when they were scarce.
Lesson: Trading was an important part of the war
There was a lot of bartering and trading that went on during WWII. This was because rationing made it difficult to get certain items, so people had to trade for what they needed.
For example, someone might trade eggs for sugar, or gasoline for shoes. This was a way of making sure that everyone had access to the resources they needed.
Bartering and trading were common during WWII, but they are not as common today. This is because we now have a more stable economy and access to resources is not as limited.
Lesson: Boosting Morale during the war
There were many ways that people boosted morale during WWII. One of the most important things was to keep a positive outlook. This was difficult, but it was important in order to keep people’s spirits up.
Another way that people boosted morale was by helping others. This could be done by volunteering, donating goods, or simply doing something nice for someone. This helped people to feel connected to others and to feel like they were doing their part to help the war effort.
Lesson: Learning to spend less!
People during WWII had to curb their spending in order to save resources for the war effort. This meant learning to cook with less, finding new ways to get around without gas, and making do with fewer clothes.
Lesson: Saving money is important!
Yes, people did try to save money during WWII. One of the ways people saved money was by planting gardens. This provided food for families and helped to stretch their budgets.
Fun Fact: Chocolate and coffee during WWII
Coffee and chocolate were both important commodities during WWII. They were rationed like other food items, but they were also used as currency. This was because they were in high demand and people were willing to trade other goods for them.
Fun Fact: The Role of Gum during the war
Gum played an important role during WWII. It was used as a way of keeping people’s teeth clean and also as a form of currency. This was because it was in high demand and people were willing to trade other goods for it.
What do we do today in our lives because of WWII?
There are many things that we do today in our lives because of WWII. One of the most important things is prepping. During WWII, no one knew what was going to happen and no one was prepared. Today, we continue to prep resources so that we’re prepared for anything in the future.
WWII prepping lessons weren’t pretty. However, there are a lot of things that are done today because of what happened during the war. Is there something your family does NOW because of WWII???
