The purpose of the War Production Board was to ?
A convert private industry and the economy to produce items needed to fight the Germans ?
B finance the building of war plants. ?
C oversee military scientific research and development. ?
D publish and distribute American propaganda.
The correct answer and explanation is:
The correct answer is A: convert private industry and the economy to produce items needed to fight the Germans.
The War Production Board (WPB) was established during World War II to oversee and coordinate the conversion of U.S. industries to produce war materials and supplies. It was created in 1942 by an executive order from President Franklin D. Roosevelt, aiming to ensure that the United States had the necessary resources to meet the demands of the war.
The WPB’s primary function was to manage the transition of civilian manufacturing operations to military production. This included directing the output of steel, aluminum, oil, rubber, and other critical materials needed for military equipment such as tanks, planes, ships, and weapons. It also organized the rationing of essential goods to prioritize materials for wartime needs, ensuring that industries producing consumer goods like cars or household appliances shifted to making military supplies instead.
The WPB worked closely with industry leaders, labor unions, and government agencies to maximize production efficiency and ensure that resources were used where they were most needed. The board also played a role in setting production goals and monitoring the progress of factories to meet these targets. By effectively directing resources and organizing production, the WPB contributed significantly to the United States’ ability to arm its military and support its allies.
Although the War Production Board also had a role in overseeing the distribution of raw materials and coordinating some aspects of scientific research, its central focus was on converting and directing the economy for wartime needs. Thus, option A is the most accurate description of the WPB’s purpose.