Home front during World War II facts for kids

During World War II, the 'home front' was all about what ordinary people did in their own countries to help with the war. This wasn't just about soldiers fighting; it was a 'total war' where everyone played a part. Factories worked hard to make weapons and supplies for both the Allied and Axis powers.

Life for families at home was very different. Governments had to manage things like rationing food and supplies, deciding who would work where, and protecting cities from air attacks. People's spirits and how they felt about the war were very important, and leaders used propaganda to keep everyone motivated.

Many women took on new jobs and responsibilities that were usually done by men. Countries also learned from World War I how important it was to get everyone involved. People collected scrap materials like metal and rubber to be reused for the war. These efforts helped people feel united and strong, even when times were tough.

INF3-160 Fighting Fit in the Factory. British poster by A. R. Thomson

Soviet stamp celebrating the "Rear Front"

Salvage – Help put the lid on Hitler by saving your old metal and paper

Allied Nations' Home Front Efforts

The Allied countries worked together, calling themselves the 'United Nations' even before the official organization was created. They agreed on important goals for the war, like respecting each country's borders and helping people govern themselves. They also wanted to make sure everyone had access to resources and lived in better conditions after the war.

Belgium's Wartime Experience

When Germany invaded Belgium in May 1940, the Belgian army was quickly defeated. King Leopold III stayed in Belgium under German control, while the government went to Britain. Some groups in Belgium supported the German invaders.

However, many Belgians resisted. Secret groups worked to help the Allies. During this time, many Jewish people living in Belgium faced terrible persecution, with thousands losing their lives.

The Germans wanted to use Belgium's factories for their war efforts. But the Belgian people faced severe shortages of food and other goods. Workers often slowed down production through strikes and sabotage. Many also moved to the countryside to avoid forced labor.

The Allies freed most of Belgium in September 1944. After the war, the Belgian government that had been in exile returned. They then worked to rebuild the country and address the changes people wanted.

China's Struggle for Survival

China faced immense suffering during World War II, with a huge number of people losing their lives. In areas controlled by Japan, civilians endured terrible events, including large-scale killings. There were also instances where new types of weapons caused many deaths.

Millions of Chinese people died from widespread hunger during the war. Japan had taken over important coastal cities like Shanghai. This cut off much of China from its main sources of money and factories.

To escape the invasion, millions of Chinese moved to safer western regions. Whole factories and universities were moved to keep society running. Japan responded by bombing China's new capital, Chongqing, many times.

Even with help from the United States, China struggled to provide enough food and supplies for its army and its people. The country was divided, with different groups controlling different areas. Japanese forces treated civilians in occupied zones very harshly.

Life in Occupied France

France was quickly defeated in June 1940. Part of the country, with its capital in Vichy, worked with the Germans. However, a strong French Resistance movement grew to fight against the occupation.

Many French soldiers were captured and held as prisoners of war in Germany. The Vichy government also sent food, machines, and workers to Germany. Hundreds of thousands of French people were forced to work in German factories.

During this time, Jewish people in France faced severe persecution. French police helped the Germans gather them, and many were sent away to terrible fates.

Challenges for French Families

With two million French soldiers held as prisoners, their families at home faced many difficulties. Wives worried about their husbands and struggled to support their children. The government offered some help, but it was often not enough. The Vichy government encouraged women to stick to traditional roles. After the war, French women gained the right to vote and more legal rights.

Food Scarcity in France

French families faced severe shortages of food and other goods. The rationing system was strict and often poorly managed. This led to widespread hunger and the growth of black markets. German forces took a large portion of France's food production, making the situation even worse.

Farm production dropped significantly due to a lack of fuel, fertilizer, and workers. Stores often had empty shelves, and long lines formed for what little was available. Young people in cities were especially affected by hunger.

Many people tried to grow their own food in 'victory gardens' and learned to 'make do and mend' their belongings. In rural areas, it was sometimes easier to find food. However, in cities, people often relied on the black market to get enough to eat, even though it was illegal.

The Dutch Hunger Winter

The Netherlands experienced a terrible period called the Hongerwinter (Hunger Winter) in 1944-1945. German forces blocked food and fuel from reaching the western parts of the country. This caused a severe famine that affected millions of people. Despite efforts to provide emergency food, thousands tragically lost their lives due to starvation and disease.

Poland Under Occupation

Food Shortages and Unequal Treatment

German forces in Poland used food as a weapon. They planned to starve many Poles and Jewish people to make way for German settlers. They forced Poles to work in Germany, offering better food rations to their families as an incentive.

German people living in Poland received much more food than Poles or Jewish people. The rations for Poles and especially Jewish people were extremely low, leading to widespread hunger and illness. The German occupiers strictly controlled food, punishing anyone involved in the black market. This led to a tragic increase in deaths and a drop in birth rates.

The Warsaw Ghetto Uprising

After Germany invaded Poland in 1939, they created the Warsaw Ghetto. They forced 550,000 Jewish people into this small area, many from other parts of Poland. High walls surrounded the ghetto, and conditions were extremely harsh, leading to many deaths from hunger and disease.

In 1942, German forces moved 400,000 ghetto residents to a camp where they were killed. By April 1943, only 60,000 people remained. These brave individuals launched an uprising against the Germans, but after three weeks of fighting, almost all of them died as the ghetto was systematically destroyed.

The Warsaw Uprising of 1944

In August 1944, the Polish underground, known as the "Home Army", started a large uprising in Warsaw. They hoped to free their city as the Soviet army approached. However, the Soviet leader, Joseph Stalin, stopped his army, allowing the Germans to crush the uprising.

Over 63 days, 250,000 Poles died. After the Germans forced all surviving residents to leave, Adolf Hitler ordered that 98% of Warsaw's buildings be destroyed.

The Soviet Union's Home Front

1941 Soviet poster: "Work in the rear as at the front: every ton of bread, coal, oil, steel hits the enemy"

When Germany invaded the Soviet Union, their rapid advance threatened major cities like Moscow and Leningrad. Much of the Soviet industry that couldn't be moved was destroyed or captured. Farmers couldn't harvest their crops, leading to widespread hunger.

In an amazing effort, 1,523 factories were taken apart and shipped thousands of miles east to safer areas. This included tools, plans, and skilled workers. The entire Soviet Union focused on the war effort. People were used to hardships, but conditions were still very severe.

World War II caused massive destruction in the USSR because much of the fighting happened on its land. In Leningrad, under a long German siege, over a million people died from starvation and disease. Many factory workers were teenagers, women, and elderly people.

The government started rationing food in 1941. Rations were stable but often not enough. Food sold outside the rationing system was very expensive. Peasants received no rations and had to rely on their own farms. Many struggled in poverty, though some sold surplus food at high prices.

Despite the tough times, the war brought a strong sense of national pride and unity. Soviet propaganda encouraged people to protect their homeland. Even religion, which was usually discouraged, was used to motivate people.

Soviet society changed a lot. Many people married quickly before being separated by the war. The birth rate dropped significantly. Mothers with many children received special honors and money to encourage larger families.

Survival in Leningrad

The city of Leningrad suffered more than any other Soviet city during the war. From September 1941 to January 1944, it was under a German siege. Extreme hunger, illness, and desperate measures became common. People lost weight, grew weak, and were vulnerable to disease. Loyalty sometimes disappeared when hunger became too great, leading people to steal from family to survive.

Only some citizens of Leningrad survived. About 400,000 were evacuated before the siege. Later, more escaped, especially when Lake Ladoga froze, creating an "ice road" to safety. Those with important connections sometimes found ways to leave.

Most people stayed in the city and tried to survive through cleverness or luck. Working in factories was often the best option, as factories sometimes had more food and heat. Workers received larger rations and had access to services like clinics. Even so, factory workers sometimes ate unusual things like glue or horsemeat when food was scarce.

People also used barter and grew vegetable gardens. Black markets thrived, with soldiers trading extra food for warm clothes. Planting gardens boosted morale, which was almost as important as food itself.

Some desperate citizens turned to crime, mainly stealing food and ration cards. Stealing food was severely punished, sometimes with death.

A US Government publicity photo of American machine tool worker in Texas.

United States' Home Front Efforts

In the United States, farms and factories greatly increased production. Citizens were encouraged to plant "victory gardens" to grow their own food. During the war, women took on many new roles, expanding their traditional responsibilities to include supporting the war effort at home.

The Philippines Under Occupation

The Philippines was an American territory preparing for independence. Japan invaded and quickly took control in early 1942. Japanese authorities set up a new government, but it was unpopular because Japan kept tight control.

Many Filipinos resisted the Japanese occupation through underground and guerrilla activities. The Philippine Army and American soldiers continued to fight. By the end of the war, Japan controlled only a few provinces.

Crime, looting, and black markets were common. Japan tried to use the islands for agricultural products needed by its industries, like growing cotton instead of sugar. This plan largely failed due to lack of resources and bad weather, diverting food production and causing hardship.

Living conditions were very difficult, with little transportation, severe food shortages, and diseases. Japan also tried to remove Western culture, but Filipinos strongly resisted, especially in protecting the Catholic Church. Schools were reshaped, and the Japanese language was promoted.

Commonwealth Nations' Contributions

Australia's War Effort

Australia greatly expanded government powers to direct the war effort. Its industries and people focused on supporting Australian and American forces.

Australian women were encouraged to contribute to the war effort by joining one of the female branches of the armed forces or participating in the labour force.

Australia entered the war in 1939. By 1943, a large part of Australia's economy was dedicated to the war. The government took control of income taxes and rationed fuel, clothing, and some food. When Japan entered the war, women and children were evacuated from northern Australia.

Manufacturing grew quickly, especially for guns and aircraft. The number of women working in factories increased significantly. The arrival of American forces brought relief and protection.

Britain's Total Mobilization

Britain's complete focus on the war effort helped achieve victory. The war was seen as a "people's war" that led to hopes for a better welfare system after peace returned.

Producing for Victory

A welder working on the saddle of a Ordnance QF 25-pounder.

In 1940, the Royal Air Force (RAF) faced heavy losses. The government decided to focus on producing only five key types of aircraft, giving them top priority. This allowed fighter production to increase rapidly, helping the RAF win the Battle of Britain. From 1941, the US also provided many supplies through Lend-Lease.

Rationing for All

Wartime food and cookery demonstrations, 1940.

A British Restaurant in London, 1942. 2000 were opened to serve low-cost basic meals.

Food, clothing, petrol, and other items were rationed. Luxury items were hard to find, though a black market existed. Families grew "victory gardens" and saved materials like fat for weapons. People in the countryside had more access to unrationed local produce.

The rationing system improved over time, allowing families more choice. Most Britons liked that rationing ensured fairness and affordable meals, even if white bread was replaced by a "national loaf."

Evacuating Children

Early in the war, it was expected that German air raids would target British cities, especially London. Millions of children and some mothers were moved from major cities to safer rural areas. When the intense bombing known as The Blitz began in September 1940, many evacuated again.

The evacuations revealed that some children had poor health, which helped lead to plans for a better welfare system after the war. Children could only take a few items, like a gas mask, books, and clothes.

Building a Welfare State

An Emergency Hospital Service was set up at the start of the war to handle many casualties. After the war, there was a strong desire to expand the welfare state as a reward for people's sacrifices.

A famous report by William Beveridge suggested making unemployment and sickness benefits universal. New benefits for mothers were proposed, and the old-age pension system was to be improved. A full National Health Service would provide free medical care for everyone. These ideas were widely supported and mostly put into action after the war.

Canada's Wartime Contributions

Two boys in Montreal gather rubber for wartime salvage, 1942.

Canada joined the war in September 1939, waiting a bit after Britain to show its independence. War production quickly increased, managed by the Department of Munitions and Supply. Unemployment disappeared.

Canada became a major training ground for Allied pilots. Many Canadian men joined the military, so women took on jobs in factories and other industries to boost production.

Shipyards expanded, building over a thousand warships and cargo vessels. Canada also increased food production, sending so much to Britain that food rationing became necessary at home.

Supporting Ethnic Minorities

Canada's diverse population included many people of European origin. The government aimed to include these groups, unlike in World War I when some were interned. However, people of German, Italian, and especially Japanese descent were closely watched.

In February 1942, 21,000 Japanese Canadians were relocated to internment camps, similar to what happened in the US. Most lived in British Columbia. After the war, they were released but not allowed to return to British Columbia, so many moved to the Toronto area or to Japan.

Women on the Canadian Home Front

Shop stewards in the canteen of the Burrard Dry Dock in North Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Commencing in 1942, Burrard Dry Dock hired over 1000 women, all of whom were dismissed at the end of the war to make way for returning men.

Canadian women responded to calls to save, recycle, and salvage materials. They collected fats, recycled goods, and organized events to reduce waste. Volunteer groups also prepared packages for soldiers overseas and prisoners of war.

With a great need for workers, women stepped into many jobs. By late 1944, twice as many women worked full-time in Canada's paid workforce compared to 1939. They took on demanding labor while also managing households and volunteering.

Hong Kong Under Japanese Rule

Hong Kong, a British colony, was captured by Japan in December 1941. The population halved during the war as many refugees fled.

The Japanese imprisoned the British leaders and tried to gain support from local Chinese merchants. This led to some cooperation, but conditions were harsh. Hong Kong became a Japanese colony, with Japanese businesses replacing British ones. Food supplies became a major problem by 1943.

After Japan surrendered, British rule returned smoothly. The occupation actually strengthened the Chinese business community by removing some old conflicts.

India's Role in World War II

During World War II, India was a British colony. Britain declared war on India's behalf without consulting Indian leaders, leading to protests.

About 2.5 million Indians served as soldiers in the British Indian Army in the Middle East, North Africa, and Burma. India became a key base for British operations against Japan and for American support to China.

In Bengal, a severe famine in 1943 caused three million deaths. This was due to a lack of rice imports from Burma and poor management.

An anti-British force of about 40,000, the Indian National Army (INA), formed in Southeast Asia under Japanese control. Its members were captured Indian soldiers who joined to escape harsh POW camps.

The Congress Party demanded immediate independence in 1942, but Britain refused. When Congress called for the British to "Quit India", tens of thousands of leaders were jailed. Meanwhile, the Muslim League supported the war and gained British support for a separate Muslim state, which became Pakistan in 1947.

New Zealand's Wartime Prosperity

New Zealand, with a population of 1.7 million, was highly involved in the war. The Labour government promoted unions and the welfare state. Its armed forces peaked at 157,000, with many serving abroad.

Agriculture expanded, sending record amounts of meat, butter, and wool to Britain and American forces. The nation spent a lot on the war, but it was also a time of prosperity, with national income soaring. Rationing and price controls kept inflation low.

The war greatly increased the number of women, especially married women, in the workforce. Most took traditional female jobs. While some replaced men, these changes were temporary, and many women returned home after the war.

Mexico's Entry into the War

When Japan attacked Pearl Harbor in December 1941, Mexico ended ties with the Axis powers but stayed neutral. Anti-Axis feelings grew. A security zone was set up in Baja California in case of a Japanese attack, and 9,000 Japanese nationals were moved to Mexico City or Guadalajara.

When German U-boats attacked Mexican oil tankers in May 1942, Mexico declared war on Germany. The government also started its own propaganda to counter Axis messages. Initial enthusiasm for the war faded as wartime production for the US led to fewer domestic goods and inflation.

As the war continued, President Manuel Ávila Camacho faced pressure over inflation and shortages. Military conscription began in November 1942 for men aged 18 to 45. Many Mexican citizens living in the US also served in the American military. In June 1944, the traditional afternoon siesta was suspended.

Axis Nations' Home Front Efforts

Germany's Wartime Economy

Propaganda poster aimed at the German home front: "Work for victory as hard as we fight for it!"

Germany did not fully prepare for total war until 1943, under Albert Speer, the minister of armaments. Instead of using all its own citizens, Germany brought in millions of forced laborers from conquered countries. These workers were treated poorly, which led to low productivity. Germany's economy was too small for a long, all-out war.

Forced Labor in Germany

German forces did not try to grow the economies of occupied nations. Instead, they took machinery, trains, industrial output, and large amounts of food. They also forced these countries to pay for the military occupation.

Germany forced 15 million people, including prisoners of war, to work in Germany. Many died from terrible living conditions, mistreatment, and hunger. At its peak, forced laborers made up 20% of the German workforce, especially in weapons factories and agriculture. For example, 1.5 million French soldiers were held as prisoners and forced to work.

Germany's Wartime Economy

Germany had a larger population than Britain but needed more workers for food and energy. The Allied blockade cut off Germany's foreign supplies. Germany used 11 million people on farms, compared to Britain's one million. To make up for oil shortages, Germany built synthetic oil plants, which required huge amounts of steel and labor.

To overcome labor shortages, Germany used millions of forced laborers and prisoners of war. By 1944, over seven million foreign workers were in Germany.

A propaganda photo of teenage girls in the League of German Girls, the female version of the Hitler Youth. Membership was compulsory for all young women. These girls are performing agricultural work in the Province of Brandenburg in 1939.

Gertrud Scholtz-Klink, head of the women's wing of the Nazi Party as well as the Woman's Bureau in the German Labor Front

Rationing in Germany

Rationing began in Germany immediately after the war started in 1939. Adolf Hitler initially worried that strict rationing would make people unhappy and reduce support for the war. He remembered how food shortages had hurt morale in World War I.

Despite rationing, civilians had enough food and clothing for the first two years. However, after the German invasion of the Soviet Union in June 1941, conditions worsened. Food rations, especially for meat, decreased significantly. The system gave extra rations to heavy industry workers but very little to Jewish people and Poles in occupied areas.

Ration cards were used for general foods, meats, and fats. When eating at a restaurant, waiters would cut off the necessary coupons. These rations were enough to live on but did not allow for luxuries. Many items like whipped cream and chocolates disappeared. Coffee was replaced by substitutes. Farmers in rural areas still brought products to markets, and many people raised rabbits for meat.

By spring 1945, the rationing system was collapsing due to transportation problems and the Allied armies advancing. In Berlin, special extra rations were announced just before the final battle, which Berliners jokingly called "Ascension-day rations," meaning they would soon "ascend to heaven."

Nursing Services

Germany had a large and well-organized nursing service with three main groups: Catholic, Protestant, and the Red Cross. In 1934, the Nazis created their own nursing unit, the Brown nurses, which grew to 40,000 members. They also set up kindergartens to influence young Germans.

Military nursing was mainly handled by the Red Cross, which came under some Nazi control. Male doctors and medics provided frontline care. Red Cross nurses worked in hospitals near the front lines, often at risk of bombing. Some were recognized for their bravery.

Displaced Persons and Refugees

After Germany's defeat in 1945, 11 million foreigners, called "displaced persons" (DPs), were freed. These were mainly forced laborers and prisoners of war. Returning them home was a top priority for the Allies. However, for Russians and Ukrainians, returning often meant suspicion or punishment. Organizations like the UNRRA and Red Cross provided aid. Millions were sent back to their home countries.

In 1944-1945, over 2.5 million ethnic Germans fled Eastern Europe, hoping to reach Germany before the Russians. Half a million died during this journey. The survivors were placed in refugee camps for years.

Japan's Home Front Experience

Japanese schoolchildren evacuating to rural areas in 1944

Japan's home front was highly organized, with strict food rationing and labor controls. The government used extensive propaganda and carefully planned for manpower, food, air raid shelters, and the evacuation of children and civilians from cities. Food supplies became critically low after heavy bombing began in late 1944.

Only a small increase of women joined the labor force. Government efforts to encourage savings and discourage spending were successful, especially among housewives. The minister of welfare stated that Japan would not draft women, respecting the family system.

Each neighborhood had a Tonarigumi (neighborhood association) responsible for war efforts. These groups met regularly to discuss war-related decisions.

The government wanted to increase the birthrate, even with many men in the armed forces. Incentives helped raise marriage rates, but birth rates remained steady. Strict milk rationing led to smaller babies.

The government started evacuating children from industrial cities to the countryside in late 1943. About 1.3 million children were moved with their teachers. When American bombing intensified in late 1944, 10 million people fled the cities.

Air defense was largely ineffective. Civil defense units were turned into combat units, with civilians up to age 60 and women up to age 40 enlisted. By January 1945, the government trained the entire civilian population to fight invaders with grenades and bamboo spears.

Civilian Support for the War

There was strong civilian support for the war by July 1937, fueled by earlier military successes and nationalist feelings. Japanese newspapers and radio spread this sentiment. The government broadcast war news daily and reformed education to be more nationalistic.

Citizens were encouraged to avoid luxuries and save for the state. Textbooks were rewritten to promote nationalistic and militaristic values. Schoolchildren learned patriotic songs. The Shinmin no Michi (The Way of the Subjects) was given to all citizens to teach them how to behave. The Senjinkun (Field Service Code) encouraged soldiers not to surrender.

Diaries and letters show that the government successfully gained massive support. Despite rationing and food shortages, many Japanese were willing to make sacrifices for their country. There were very few deserters compared to other nations.

Civilians listening to the emperor's surrender broadcast, on August 15, 1945

Many Japanese were prepared to fight invaders. Women practiced with bamboo spears, and children practiced throwing balls as if they were grenades. Some mass civilian deaths occurred near the end of the war, partly due to loyalty to the emperor and fear of American soldiers. When Japan surrendered, there was a general sense of sorrow.

Foreign Nationals in Japan

In June 1942, there were 27,185 foreign nationals in Japan. Those from Allied nations were placed in civilian internment camps. Japanese-Americans in Japan were generally left alone.

Propaganda and Censorship

Censorship was strict in Japan during World War II, especially after the attack on Pearl Harbor. All magazines and newspapers were censored from 1937. The Foreign, War, and Navy Ministries censored information about foreign relations and military news. News was not allowed to show casualties or injuries that might weaken public morale. Those who wrote stories disliked by censors faced severe punishment.

Newspaper articles glorified Japanese soldiers and accused the Chinese government of wrongdoing. The government even tried to replace English words with Japanese ones; for example, "skirt" became "hakama."

Visual Arts During Wartime

Japan took an anti-Western approach to art. The government increasingly controlled art, commissioning artists to create sensōga (war art) depicting battles. About 300 artists worked with the military.

Art supplies were scarce and only available from official sources. Artists who cooperated with authorities were guaranteed supplies and exhibitions. In 1943, the Patriotic Society of Japanese Art was formed, requiring all artists to join.

The government also limited and combined art magazines to control visual arts.

Radio and Film Control

Radio was heavily censored. By 1941, Japan had many radio sets. The government encouraged more people to own radios. Jazz music and songs in foreign languages (except German and Italian) were banned for being "un-Japanese." Later, music played on banjos, ukuleles, and guitars was prohibited, promoting Japanese instruments instead.

In September 1937, a ban was placed on imported foreign films, most of which were American. This ban was lifted briefly but then fully reinstated with the start of the Pacific War in 1941. American music was also banned that year.

Wartime Diaries

Soldiers, teenagers, and children in Japan were required to keep diaries, which were inspected by their superiors. This rule was extended to 1.3 million child evacuees in 1944. Adult civilian diaries and letters were not directly monitored.

Production and Rationing

Food Supply and Challenges

Agricultural production in Japan's home islands held up until the bombing began, then it fell sharply. Imports also dried up. Food rationing started in 1938 and was effective, preventing serious malnutrition. However, a 1944 survey in Tokyo showed families relied on the black market for much of their food.

The government also controlled prices for perishable foods and monopolized rice, wheat, barley, and rye by 1942. Japan's food supply depended on imports, which American submarines and bombing cut off. Deep-sea fishing also decreased. This led to growing food shortages, especially in cities. Families sometimes spent more than their income on black market food. Many urban areas were used for food production, and households grew their own gardens.

Non-Food Item Shortages

Japan began rationing gasoline in 1938. By 1941, civilian cars were prohibited from using gasoline. Oil was also banned for non-military industries. Japan tried to develop its own oil industry but didn't succeed enough. They captured oil-rich areas like British Malaya and the Dutch East Indies, but American attacks often sank the tankers carrying oil back to Japan.

Japan produced more electricity than Italy during the war, mainly from coal and hydroelectric dams.

Civilian Deaths and Aftermath

American aerial bombing of 65 Japanese cities caused 400,000 to 600,000 civilian deaths, including over 100,000 in Tokyo and more than 200,000 in Hiroshima and Nagasaki. The Battle of Okinawa also resulted in many civilian deaths.

After the surrender in September 1945, health and living conditions worsened. Much housing was destroyed, and millions of Japanese were forced to return from former Imperial territories. The government encouraged more births, but birth rates declined due to wartime stress and postwar hardships.

The American bombing campaign and shortages of oil and raw materials severely impacted Japan's economy. By the end of the war, industrial production had fallen significantly.

Italy's Wartime Struggles

When Italy first entered World War II, people were enthusiastic, but support soon decreased, and the public became unhappy with the war.

Food Rationing and Production

Rationing began in 1940 for items like coffee, pasta, rice, sugar, and oils, with meat and bread added later. Food shortages existed before the war and worsened due to a lack of workers and fertilizer. Riots over food broke out in southern Italy in 1941. When the Allies arrived, food problems continued because the German army destroyed what was left and took food. Many people turned to the black market.

Most of Italy's manufacturing was in the northern regions. Many people moved from southern Italy to find work in these industrial areas.

Italy had no oil deposits and relied on imports, which became scarce. It had some coal but not enough. Italy tried to expand its hydroelectricity to reduce reliance on coal and oil but faced difficulties.

Bombing Campaigns

Italy was frequently bombed by Allied planes. Efforts to stop these attacks were often ineffective due to a lack of trained air force personnel, few anti-aircraft defenses, and ineffective alarm systems. Between 1940 and 1945, over 60,000 civilians were killed by bombing across mainland Italy.

Persecution of Jewish People

Starting in 1940, foreign Jewish people were placed in concentration camps, and Italian Jewish adults were forced into labor. From 1938, the Italian government began issuing anti-Jewish laws, leading to Jewish people being expelled from schools, losing jobs, and facing harassment.

Finland's Home Front

At the start of World War II, Finland was mainly an agricultural country. It was self-sufficient in food due to good weather but depended on imported fertilizers. Finland had no strong allies.

Food and Production Challenges

In 1940, Finland lost Karelia, which was 10% of its farmland, causing agricultural production to drop by a quarter. Finland then relied on Germany for grain and fertilizer imports. Foreign trade was cut off, though trade with Sweden continued. Farm harvests during the war only met two-thirds of the demand, so the rest had to be imported. Despite this, Finland had the smallest food rations in Europe, and many people used the black market despite severe penalties.

Labor Mobilization

Finland required all citizens aged 15 to 64 to work in war, agriculture, industry, or other essential sectors, except for women with children under six. All male citizens were expected to serve in the military. Despite these efforts, Finland, with its small population of 3.7 million, still faced labor shortages.

Wartime Famines

Severe food shortages were common in war zones, especially in Europe, where Germany used starvation as a military tactic. Japan did not intentionally use starvation, but its broken transportation systems led to hunger among its soldiers.

Three major famines occurred in Asia during the war: Bengal in India, Honan in China, and Tonkin in Vietnam. In each, at least two million people died. These famines happened in crowded areas where farming couldn't keep up with the population and market pressures. They also weakened people's trust in their governments.

Housing Destruction

A lot of housing was destroyed or badly damaged during the war, especially in the Soviet Union, Germany, and Japan. In Japan, about a third of families were left homeless. In Germany, about 25% of all homes were destroyed or damaged, rising to about 45% in major cities.

Elsewhere in Europe, 22% of homes in Poland were completely destroyed, 21% in Greece, 9% in Austria, 8% in the Netherlands and France, 7% in Britain, 5% in Italy, and 4% in Hungary.

Images for kids

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  Two girls assemble submachine guns during the siege of Leningrad, 1943.

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  Leningradians on Nevsky Avenue during the siege.

See also

• Economic warfare
• Lotta Svärd, women in Finland
• Military history of the British Commonwealth in the Second World War
• Military production during World War II
• Paper Salvage 1939–50
• Rosie the Riveter
• Squander Bug
• Utility furniture
• Veronica Foster
• Women in World War II