Rationing facts for kids

Rationing is a system where the government or another group controls how much of something people can buy or use. This happens when there isn't enough of a product, like food, gasoline, or other important supplies.

When rationing is in place, each person gets a specific amount, called a ration. This is their allowed share of the limited goods for a certain time period. It helps make sure everyone gets at least a little bit of what they need, especially during difficult times.

Why Do We Ration?

Rationing usually happens during emergencies or times of great need.

Times of War

Wars often cause shortages because resources are used for the military. Factories might switch from making everyday items to producing weapons or uniforms. Also, trade routes can be blocked, making it hard to import goods. During the Second World War, many countries, including Britain, Germany, and the United States, used rationing for food, clothing, and fuel. This ensured that soldiers had enough supplies and that civilians at home could still get essential items.

Natural Disasters or Crises

Sometimes, natural disasters like floods or earthquakes can destroy supplies or block transportation. This can lead to temporary shortages in certain areas. Governments might then ration water, food, or fuel to help everyone survive until more supplies arrive.

Economic Problems

In some countries, long-term economic problems can lead to a lack of goods. This might happen if a country doesn't produce enough of what its people need, or if it can't afford to buy goods from other countries. Rationing can become a regular part of life in such situations. For example, Romania and Poland used ration cards for basic foods like bread and milk in the late 20th century.

How Does Rationing Work?

Governments often use special tools to manage rationing.

Ration Books and Stamps

One common way to ration is by using ration books or stamps. Each family or person gets a book with stamps for different items. When you buy something that is rationed, you pay money and also give a stamp from your book. This makes sure you don't buy more than your allowed amount. For example, during the Second World War, British children had their own ration books for items like sweets and sugar.

Ration Cards

Similar to stamps, ration cards are official documents that show how much of a product a person is allowed to have. These cards might be punched or marked each time an item is bought.

Queues and Waiting Lines

Even with ration books, people often had to wait in long lines, called queues, to buy their limited supplies. This was common in places like New Orleans during the 1940s or Tel Aviv in the 1950s when people lined up for food.

Life During Rationing

Rationing can change daily life in many ways.

Food and Diet

When food is rationed, people's diets often change. They might eat less meat, sugar, or butter. Governments sometimes encouraged people to grow their own food in "victory gardens" or allotments to help supplement their rations. This helped families get more fresh vegetables.

Fuel and Travel

Gasoline and other fuels are often rationed. This means people might drive less, use public transport more, or even ride bicycles. During the 1973 oil crisis in the United States, there were plans for gasoline rationing, and many gas stations ran out of fuel.

Impact on Families

Rationing can be very challenging for families. It requires careful planning and can lead to stress. In extreme cases, like during the Siege of Leningrad in the Second World War, severe rationing and starvation led to tragic outcomes. The diary of a young girl named Tanya Savicheva from that time shows the terrible impact of extreme food shortages on her family.

Is Rationing Fair?

The goal of rationing is to distribute limited resources fairly among everyone. Without it, richer people might buy up all the available goods, leaving nothing for others. Rationing tries to ensure that everyone gets a basic share, even if it's a small one. However, it can still be difficult and frustrating for people to live with limited choices and supplies.

Images for kids

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  Romanian ration card, 1989

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  First World War German government propaganda poster describing rationing with personifications of meat, bread, sugar, butter, milk, and flour, 1916

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  Child's ration book, used in Britain during the Second World War

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  Poster for the "Dig for Victory" campaign, encouraging Britons to supplement their rations by cultivating gardens and allotments

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  Lining up at the Rationing Board Office, New Orleans, 1943

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  The diary of Tanya Savicheva, a girl of 11, with notes about her family members dying during a time of extreme food shortage.

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  Polish milk ration stamp from 1981 to 1983.

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  Tel Aviv residents standing in line to buy food rations, 1954

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  A man at a service station reads about the U.S. gasoline rationing system; a sign in the background states that no gasoline is available. 1974

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  United States gasoline ration stamps printed, but not used, during the 1973 oil crisis

See also

In Spanish: Racionamiento para niños