WWII Ration Book 1939-1945
Ration Book
Zoom This! The federal government needed to control supply and demand. Rationing was introduced to avoid public anger with shortages and not to allow only the wealthy to purchase commodities. During World War II, people wanted to save most foods for soldiers but they also wanted foods for themselves so they created ration book so that each person can receive their fair share of food. There are over 1 hundred million rations books printed during World War II. They were sold between $3-$10, but individual ration stamps were only a few cents each. In the United States, nationwide food rationing was instituted in spring 1942. The stamps were used to buy rationed items. Rationed items included foods, gas, even clothing. Each member of the family was issued ration books by the Office of Price Administration (OPA). Office of Price Administration was the federal agency tasked with establishing price controls on nonagricultural commodities and rationing essential consumer goods during World War II (1939–1945). Rationing insured that each person got their fair share of items that were in short supply do to war efforts and import reductions. Books contained stamps and gave precise details of amounts of certain types of foods that were allowed. Rationed items were items of limited quantity because the soldiers needed the items to aid them in fighting the war. The stamps came in books like postage stamp books; they both look similar to each other. Four different types of ration books were issued during World War II. War ration book four was issued in 1943 and used through 1945. On the front of the ration book is a signature and address of the owner. Inside is a set of stamps printed in green, red, blue, and black for food items. Ration books became a way of life for everyone at home during World War II. You had to have ration stamps to buy things at the store. It still cost money, but you couldn’t buy it unless you had stamps. Rationing helped save food and make sure that everyone received a fair share of food, but there were some side effects to it. The black market, where people could buy rationed items, raised their prices. For the most part, black marketers dealt with clothing and liquor in Britain, and meat, sugar, and gasoline in the United States. Others planted “Victory Gardens” to conserve food. By 1945, an estimated 20 million victory gardens produced approximately 40 percent of America’s vegetables. Ration books were a good way to share food amongst everyone and decreased hunger issues during the war.
Tags: 1900s, Artifacts, War, World War II