Arsenal of democracy: the American automobile industry in World War II

Abstract

Throughout World War II, Detroit's automobile manufacturers accounted for one-fifth of dollar value of nation's total war production, and this amazing output from the arsenal of democracy directly contributed to allied victory. In fact, automobile makers achieved such production miracles that many of their methods were adopted by other defence industries, particularly aircraft industry. In Arsenal of Democracy: The American Automobile Industry in World War II, award-winning historian Charles K. Hyde details industry's transition to a wartime production powerhouse and some of its notable achievements along way. Hyde examines several innovative cooperative relationships that developed between executive branch of federal government, U.S. military services, automobile industry leaders, auto industry suppliers, and United Automobile Workers (UAW) union, which set up industry to achieve production miracles. He goes on to examine struggles and achievements of individual automakers during war years in producing items like aircraft engines, aircraft components, and complete aircraft; tanks and other armoured 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 important role played by previously underused workers-namely African Americans and women-in war effort and their experiences on line. Arsenal of Democracy includes an analysis of wartime production nationally, on automotive industry level, by individual automakers, and at single plant level. For this thorough history, Hyde has consulted previously overlooked records collected by Automobile Manufacturers Association that are now housed in National Automotive History Collection of Detroit Public Library. Automotive historians, World War II scholars, and American history buffs will welcome compelling look at wartime industry in Arsenal of Democracy.