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War Production: Assessment 2

The Importance of Industrial Production from Letters to Industry

Assessment 2: Size of the U.S. Navy, 1938-1945

Type 6/30/38 6/30/39 6/30/40 12/7/41 12/31/42 12/31/43 12/31/44 8/14/45*
Battleships 15 15 15 17 19 21 23 23
Carriers, Fleet 5 5 6 7 4 19 25 28
Carriers, Escort - - - 1 12 35 65 71
Cruisers 32 36 37 37 39 48 61 72
Destroyers 112 127 185 171 224 332 367 377
Submarines 54 58 64 112 133 172 230 232
Mine Warfare< 27 29 36 135 323 551 614 586
Patrol 34 20 19 100 515 1050 1183 1204
Amphibious - - - - 121 673 2147 2547
Auxiliary 101 104 116 210 392 564 993 1267
Surface Warships 159 178 237 225 282 635 827 833
Total Active 380 394 478 790 1782 3699 6084 6768

Critical Thinking Questions Based on the Chart:

  1. During what year did the size of the Navy increase the most?
  2. Analyze the chart. Which types of naval vessels were produced in the greatest volume between 1941-1943?
  3. Hypothesize why having a strong navy is important during war.

Directions: Read the following passages and complete the task below.

If you have not done so already, download this file now. War Production Drive (1.0MB)

  • "From Secretary of War (Pg. 24, War Production Drive)"
  • "Secretary of the Navy (Pg. 24, War production Drive)"
  • "From Administrator, War Shipping Administration ( Pg. 25, War Production Drive)"
  • "From Labor Director, War Production Board (Pg. 26, War Production Drive)"

If you have not done so already, download this file now. Production Goes to War (1.2MB)

  • "From Chairman, War Production Board (Pg. 18, Production Goes to War)"
    1. Pretend that you are a member of the War Production Board. Write a brief persuasive letter to factory owners emphasizing their important role(s) in helping the Allies win the war.