California was a major contributor to the World War II effort. After the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, the majority of manufacturing in California shifted to accommodate the war effort, causing the state to become a major ship builder and aircraft manufacturer, along with expanding oil and mineral production. Agriculture, ranches, and farms were used to feed the troops around the world.

Existing military installations were enlarged and many new ones were built to keep up with the demand. The state trained many of the troops before their oversea deployment, causing the population to grow significantly. Along with the servicemen stationed at the new military bases and training facilities, there was a mass influx of people from around the U.S. coming to work in the growing defense industries. Over 800,000 Californians served in the United States Armed Forces. With all the new economic activity, California was lifted out of the Great Depression. Over 500,000 people moved there from other states to work in the growing economy.

California's long coastline along the Pacific Ocean provided support needed for the Pacific War, but was also seen as a vulnerability, as an attack seemed likely. Because of growing anxiety surrounding potential attacks, the state was used for the temporary and permanent internment camps for Japanese Americans.

History

Economics and population growth

A total of 12% of all U.S. government war contracts were awarded to California companies. A total of 17% of the war materials were made in California. Mining, natural gas, and oil production were active industries in California before World War II, and these rapidly expanded to support the war effort. Like in World War I, the mines and mining towns came to life again, due to an increase in demand for gold, copper, and silver. The oil production doubled, and the synthetic rubber industry and agricultural output nearly tripled. In 1941 California oil production was 230,263,000 barrels; by the end of the war in 1945 the output was 326,555,000 barrels.Effects of World War II on California Oil Reserves: by Graham B. Moody Raw material was also shipped to California from Lend lease U.S. Allies.

After America entered the war, there was a quick build of new military bases, airfields, training camps, and other military installations. New military construction projects and the emerging war industries in California brought in tens of thousands of workers from across America. After the war, many stayed in California, with some others returning to their home states. Towns and cities next to military and industrial facilities grew and had an increase in the economy. California's population in 1940 was 6,907,387 and by 1950 it had grown to 10,586,223, a 53.3% increase. California received one eighth of all war orders. With the manpower shortage, many women entered the workforce in manufacturing and other jobs held by men in the past. As factories added more shifts, a variety of stores and services increase operating hours. To retain workers, some businesses increased their employee benefits. Many military personnel who were trained in California returned after the war to tour the state, so California's tourist industries began to grow.

Food production

California's mild climate made it ideal for year-round food production. With many men overseas, there were labor shortages at harvest time. The need for extra workers at harvest brought in housewives and students. Some businesses even loaned workers to help with harvest and food packing as needed. The Woman's Land Army of America was one of the organizations helping in food production. Even with the increase in food production, there was mandatory food rationing. Civilians were encouraged to plant Victory gardens to help with the food shortage. The slogan "grow your own, can your own", was started during the war, and referred to families growing and canning their own food in victory gardens. With its mild climate, most victory gardens were grown almost year-round. Along with food, tires, gasolineJoseph A. Lowande, U.S. Ration Currency & Tokens 1942–1945., and wool fabric were rationed. The rationing of wool became one of the causes of the June 1943 Zoot Suit Riots in Los Angeles.

Enemy aliens

After the attack on Pearl Harbor it was feared that some Japanese Americans might be loyal to Japan. On February 19, 1942, President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed Executive Order 9066, which authorized the Secretary of War to set some military zones for the internment of Japanese Americans. California had some of the U.S. prisoner of war camps and Japanese Americans internment camps. War Relocation Authority built both temporary and permanent relocation camps. As aliens they had to register in accordance with the law and were required to turn in all weapons and short-wave radios. Japanese Americans first were sent to one of California's 11 temporary relocation camps, like the two in southern California: Pomona assembly center and the Santa Anita assembly center. From these centers many were sent to other states and some were sent to California's Manzanar War Relocation Center, California or the Tule Lake War Relocation Center. Even with internment, a number of American-born Japanese (or Nisei) volunteered to join the U.S. armed services. The Nisei units fought well and are highly decorated units. Nisei joined all the U.S. armed branches, most joined the U.S. Army.

Camp Haan was built at near March Air Reserve Base, the camp housed 1,200 Italian prisoners of war (POW). German POWs were also housed at the camp. In all 21 POW camps were built in California. A number of Italian POWs pledged to help the United States. About 70% to 90% of the Italian POWs volunteered for Italian Service Units (ISU). Due to labor shortage the Italian Service Units helped on Army depots, arsenals, farms and hospitals, there they volunteered to work and received better housing, than the standard POW camps. Camp Lamont was used for German POW volunteers to work on crops. Camp Cooke held German POWs, now the site of Vandenberg Air Force Base.Camp Cooke and Vandenberg Air Force Base, 1941–1966, by Jeffrey E. Geiger, McFarland Books The Stockton Ordnance Depot held 1,500 German prisoners from May 1944 till June 1946.

Attacks on California

On February 23, 1942, the Japanese bombed the Ellwood Oil Field. The Ellwood Oil Field and oil refinery are located in Goleta, California in the Santa Barbara Channel. Japanese submarine I-17 fired 16 shells at the Oil Field from its deck gun before running. This attack along with the Niihau Incident started the fear of the invasion of California. There was speculation that the battle group that attacked Hawaii would come to California next. There were no casualties and little damage in the attack. News of the attack triggered an invasion scare along the West Coast of the United States.Young, Donald J. Phantom Japanese Raid on Los Angeles World War II Magazine, September 2003 Fu-Go balloon bombs were the other attack on California and 14 other states. Japanese launched fire bomb balloons across the Pacific Ocean. These high-altitude balloons carried bombs and incendiary explosives. In California 25 fire bomb balloons were found, none caused injuries in California. The balloon bombs were launched in Japan from November 3, 1944, to April 1945. On February 23, 1945, a P-38 Lightning plane shot down a balloon near Santa Rosa, California. On January 10, 1945, an Army P-38 shot down a Fu-Go balloon near Alturas, CaliforniaJapan's World War II balloon bomb attacks on North America Ships off the California coast were attacked: (escaped), (sank), (escaped), (sank), (damaged), SS H.M. Storey (escaped, sank later), SS Camden (sank), (damaged), (sank), (escaped), SS Connecticut (damaged), (Sank), and SS Idaho [tanker] (minor damage). In the attacks, eight seamen were killed and others injured. After the attack on Pearl Harbor the Imperial Japanese Navy sent five Submarines, I-17, I-19, I-23 I-25 and I-26, to attack ships off coastal California. WORLD WAR COMES TO HUMBOLDT COUNTY by Jack Bareilles Due to fear California coastal cities turned off lights or blacked out windows at night. Some radio stations went off the air and civil ships were ordered to stay in port. Commercial air travel was grounded.The Triumphant Partnership: California Cities and the Winning of World War II, California State University, Northridge, April 29, 2005 A military defense system was installed up and down the coast, that included blimps, patrol ships, artillery batteries, and aircraft.Fourth Antiaircraft Command Brigadere, August 1945Panic on the Pacific: How America Prepared for the West Coast Invasion, By Bill Yenne The sense of danger caused the "Battle of Los Angeles." On February 24 and 25, 1942 Los Angeles civil defense thought there was an attack and so 1,440 rounds of U.S. anti-aircraft ammunition was fired at what turned out to be a non-existent enemy. Reports of an unidentified aircraft started blackout and shooting of reported incoming aircraft. There was crazed and inaccurate reporting of the event at the time. The only damage in the city was self-inflicted from anti-aircraft fire coming down. The event exposed the defenselessness of the West Coast, as California was defended by only 16 modern warplanes at the time. After the war it was learned that Tokyo had planned a December 24, 1941 attack on San Diego Bay. Japanese submarine I-10 was to be the leader of seven other submarines that were to shell the U.S. Navy at San Diego Bay. The attack was called off with the subs only 20 miles off the California coast.

Ammunition

California was a major supplier of ammunition for the war. Riverbank Army Ammunition Plant in Stanislaus County and Benicia Arsenal were two of the largest ammunition makers. In San Bernardino the Western Stove Company built incendiary bombs.Stuart MacDonald, "Historic Properties Report: Riverbank Army Ammunition Plant, Riverbank, California" (Building Technology Inc. 1984) online

The largest World War II accident in California was the Port Chicago disaster. The Liberty ship SS E. A. Bryan exploded on July 17, 1944, while being loaded with ammunition. About 4,600 tons (4,173 tonnes) of explosives had been loaded in the ship's holds at the time. The explosion killed 320 sailors and civilians and injured 390 others.Robert L. Allen, "The Port Chicago disaster and its aftermath." The Black Scholar 13.2-3 (1982): 3-29.Jeremiah Clabough, and Deborah Wooten. "Bias, bigotry, and bungling: Teaching about the Port Chicago 50." Social Education 80.3 (2016): 160-165. online

Hollywood

Hollywood's motion-picture industry continued to make movies during the war. In addition to entertainment films, Hollywood made training films and films to raise morale. The 1942 film The Arm Behind the Army showed how important home support of the war was.

Bob Hope volunteered with the United Service Organizations (USO) and entertained troops during World War II and for decades later (1941 to 1991). Hope brought many Hollywood stars with him on his USO tours.

Desi Arnaz was stationed at Birmingham General Army Hospital in Van Nuys, California during the war to entertain the troops there. Arnaz had a bad knee and so was transferred to the US Army Medical Corps. Arnaz also coordinated with the stars that visited the hospital.Who's Who In Hollywood! By Terry Rowan, Desi Arnaz, p. 15

The Walt Disney Company famously dedicated a large portion of their business to making propaganda films.

War Bond sales