Title: Arsenal of democracy : the American automobile industry in World War II /
Authors: Hyde, Charles K., 1945-
Year: 2013
Subjects: Automobile industry and trade United States History; Defense industries United States History; World War, 1939-1945 United States.; Automobile industry and trade; Defense industries; United States
Abstract: "Throughout World War II, Detroit's automobile manufacturers accounted for one-fifth of the dollar value of the nation's total war production, and this amazing output from "the arsenal of democracy" directly contributed to the allied victory. In fact, automobile makers achieved such production miracles that many of their methods were adopted by other defense industries, particularly the aircraft industry. In Arsenal of Democracy: The American Automobile Industry in World War II, award-winning historian Charles K. Hyde details the industry's transition to a wartime production powerhouse and some of its notable achievements along the way. Hyde examines several innovative cooperative relationships that developed between the executive branch of the federal government, U.S. military services, automobile industry leaders, auto industry suppliers, and the United Automobile Workers (UAW) union, which set up the industry to achieve production miracles. He goes on to examine the struggles and achievements of individual automakers during the war years in producing items like aircraft engines, aircraft components, and complete aircraft; tanks and other armored vehicles; jeeps, trucks, and amphibians; guns, shells, and bullets of all types; and a wide range of other weapons and war goods ranging from search lights to submarine nets and gyroscopes. Hyde also considers the important role played by previously underused workers-namely African Americans and women-in the war effort and their experiences on the line." -- Publisher's description.
Contents: Preparing for war before pearl harbor -- Planning defense production after pearl harbor -- Aircraft engines and propellers -- Aircraft and aircraft components -- Tanks and other armored vehicles -- Jeeps, trucks, and amphibian vehicles -- Guns, shells, bullets, and other war goods -- The new workers -- The achievement.