205: Total War on the Home Front: Victory Gardens, Volunteering, and the Double V
From History That Doesn't Suck by Prof. Greg Jackson
May 11, 2026 · 59 min
About this episode
This episode explores the sacrifices made on the American home front during World War II, highlighting the contributions of various groups and the fight for equality.
“I suggest that while we keep defense and victory in the forefront, that we don't lose sight of our fight for true democracy at home.” This is the story of life on the American home front. While millions of brave men and women are sacrificing life and limb “over there,” those left behind are making sacrifices of their own—heeding the call to grow gardens in their backyards or on community lots, combing their homes for spare scrap metal and rubber, rationing so there’s enough to go ‘round, and buying up war bonds. The economy changes drastically; for one thing, the Great Depression is definitely over. Unemployment drops to just about nil as millions join the military or the workforce. Small towns swell with floods of people following industrial government contracts, and women and teenagers take on new roles to fill critical gaps. And yet, though every American is asked to make these sacrifices to win the war, not even close to every American receives the same protections and benefits from wartime contracts and legislation. Black Americans, still stifled by Jim Crow, fight for a Double Victory—against the Axis powers, and against prejudice back home. The “Good War” is not an evenly…
People in this episode
Host: Prof. Greg Jackson
Topics covered
- home front
- World War II
- victory gardens
- sacrifice
- civil rights
- economy
Keywords
- victory gardens
- home front
- sacrifice
- World War II
- Double Victory
- economy
- civil rights
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: Jim Crow
Places: America
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