War Production Board

Definition

The War Production Board (WPB) was an agency of the United States government established during World War II to coordinate the production of war materials and ensure that resources were allocated efficiently for the war effort. The WPB played a crucial role in converting peacetime industries to wartime production, managing labor allocation, and overseeing the distribution of raw materials. By fostering collaboration between government and businesses, the WPB significantly boosted American industrial output during the war.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The WPB was established in January 1942 and was crucial in mobilizing the U.S. economy for war by prioritizing resources for military production.
2. It oversaw the conversion of factories from consumer goods to military equipment, producing everything from tanks to airplanes.
3. The WPB implemented rationing programs to ensure that raw materials were available for war production rather than consumer use.
4. It also coordinated efforts between various industries, ensuring that companies met their production quotas while maintaining labor standards.
5. By the end of World War II, the WPB had helped increase U.S. industrial production by nearly 90%, demonstrating its effectiveness in economic mobilization.

Review Questions

• How did the War Production Board impact industrial production during World War II?
  • The War Production Board significantly impacted industrial production by coordinating the conversion of factories to produce military goods instead of consumer products. It prioritized resources and set production goals that helped streamline manufacturing processes. This central oversight allowed for a dramatic increase in output, contributing to the Allied victory by ensuring that troops received the necessary equipment and supplies.
• In what ways did the War Production Board foster cooperation between government and business during wartime?
  • The War Production Board fostered cooperation between government and business by establishing clear communication channels and creating incentives for companies to meet wartime needs. It facilitated defense contracts, which ensured that businesses had financial backing to ramp up production. Additionally, it coordinated resource allocation and labor management, encouraging private industry to align their capabilities with national defense objectives.
• Evaluate the long-term effects of the War Production Board's activities on post-war American industry and economy.
  • The activities of the War Production Board had significant long-term effects on post-war American industry and economy by establishing a precedent for government involvement in economic planning. The successful collaboration between government and businesses during the war led to innovations in production techniques and technologies that continued beyond 1945. Furthermore, many companies that adapted to wartime needs found new markets for their products in peacetime, contributing to an economic boom in the late 1940s and early 1950s.

Related terms

Office of Price Administration: A U.S. government agency responsible for controlling inflation and regulating prices and rents during World War II.

Defense Contracts: Agreements between the government and private companies to produce goods or services necessary for national defense.

Conversion of Industry: The process of transforming peacetime manufacturing capabilities into production lines for military goods during wartime.