Between 1942 1947, the government issued four different series of ration books. With the onset of world war ii, numerous challenges confronted the american people. Jan 08, 2018 the end of the war saw additional cuts. Rationing in world war 2 australia deborah burrows. Rationing began on 8th january 1940 when bacon, butter and sugar were rationed. Ration books were basically books that contained coupons which would be cut out or signed by a shopkeeper when the owner of the ration book bought food or other goods, the items were still paid with money but the coupons indicated how much each person was allowed to buy.
A look back at food rationing during world war ii duration. There was also a danger that some people might hoard food, leaving none for others. Sep 22, 2011 this monochromatic adult ration book s spartan feel was very much a part of the homefront during the second world war. Civilians first received ration bookswar ration book number one, or the sugar bookon 4 may 1942, through more than 100,000 schoolteachers, pta groups, and other volunteers 7. Today, i decided to learn a little more about ration books because they are an interesting historical artifact in addition to being a useful genealogy aid. In fact, ordinary people survived on such rations, although those who produced.
This was especially important when using the coarse strong tea found in the service blend ration. Rationing was officially started on 8th january 1940. Watch and listen to clips about rationing of food and goods in britain during world war two, and learn what was rationed, how, why and when. Food rationing lasted for 14 years in britain, from 1940 until 1954. By 1942 many other foodstuffs, including meat, milk, cheese, eggs and cooking fat were also on the ration. These were required before rationed goods could be purchased. The goverment wanted to curb inflation, reduce total consumer spending, and limit potential shortages of essential goods, as in britain, by trying to ensure that there was an equitable distribution of food and clothing. With not a single person unaffected by the war, rationing meant sacrifices for all. A brilliant example of a ration booklet that children can use during their learning on the second world war and rationing. Each book required different identification and some were more detailed than others.
Jul 11, 2016 this meant planning meals carefully, being creative with menus, and not wasting food. During world war ii, ration books were distributed to families by the office of price administration opa to help regulate food shortages as a result of the war. The ration books contained removable stamps good for certain rationed items, like sugar, meat, cooking oil, and canned goods. We are faced with the fact that some steel furnaces have been allowed to cool. Every american was issued a series of ration books during the war.
When the japanese attacked pearl harbor the question whether america will enter the second world war was over. Parents are responsible for the safekeeping and use of their childrens war ration book. Now before anybody starts on about respecting gifts, im not selling it, its just every time i look at it i see something extremely valuable, from a historical reference point of view. Initially used to ration sugar, coupons were later designated for other products. Bbc history rationing in world war two pictures, video.
Consumers were allotted so many points that were recorded in these books. Bread, which was never rationed during wartime, was put on the ration in july 1946. Below are some war rationing facts and rationing tips we could all learn from. The paper stubs, or stamps, in each ration book purchased rationed consumer goods and foods. A person could not buy a rationed item without also giving the grocer the right ration stamp. The chemical composition of foods was the book written by both of them. A mom stuck to a recipe book of world war ii rations for an entire year and lost 80 pounds. Around 1939, when world war ii began, the united kingdom imported twothirds of its food, all of which had to be shipped over oceans teeming with german uboats. As a matter of fact, when a gallup poll on march 5, 1943, asked americans, do you. Rationing is the controlled distribution of scarce resources, goods, or services, or an artificial.
During the second world war, rationing was very common. These were redeemable stamps or coupons, and every family was issued a set number of each kind of stamp based on the size of the family, ages of children and income. Ration book four was printed in red, blue and green. When a shopper purchased their ration of food, the shopkeeper cut the coupons out of their ration book to. Learn more about rationing for the war effort during world war ii with research starters. Four different series of war ration books were issued. Throughout the 1940s and for nine years after the end of the war every man woman and child in britain owned ration books of coupons for food and clothing. The inside cover lists names and addresses of retailers. When we speak of wwii, we think gruesome battles, the war technologies used and all the lives lost in its horrors. War ration book two january, 1943 this book is the property of the united states government. The inside pages of the war ration book number two. Nov 20, 2016 facts about rationing in world war 2 6.
The scheme was designed to ensure fair shares for all at a time of national shortage. What you need to know about rationing in the second world war. Different ration books were produced for children aged 5. This is a great activity when teaching about the homefront during world war ii. Food rationing during world war 2 primary homework help. Rationing was introduced temporarily by the british government several times during the 20th century, during and immediately after a war. During the second world war, you couldnt just walk into a shop and buy as much. A shopkeeper cancels the coupons in a british housewifes ration book. Return to top of page midwar label style cration instructions kit back in stock click on thumbnail to see larger image. They must create a balanced menu for breakfast, lunch and dinner without exceeding their spending limit or. Meat was the last item to be derationed and food rationing ended completely in 1954. The first two images explain how ration books were to be used.
As a matter of fact, when a gallup poll on march 5, 1943, asked americans, do you understand how the food point rationing system works. The ration books contained removable stamps good for certain rationed items, like sugar. Each book was numbered, and the stamps inside controlled peoples consumption of things like food, gasoline and even clothing. What you need to know about rationing in the second world. When individuals received a certain amount of points for scarce goods, such as sugar, coffee, and butter, they could not purchase these items until they received a new ration book. Youll notice that they change slightly throughout the war.
Therefore, rationing was applied in many countries in the world at that time. This is a reproduction of the personalsize 5 ounce tin of evaporated milk, which tommy was likely to have in his kit to turn a cuppa into a steamy delight. War ration book one ration coupons on the home front, 1942. For example, world war ii ration books include the persons name, age, address, occupation, and even their height and weight. World war ii rationing stamps program, 19431946 overview of the collection title world war ii rationing stamps program dates 19431946 inclusive 1943 1946 quantity 1 box. Ration book used during world war ii with sheets of stamps inserted in the middle. Different ration books were produced for children aged 5 9 years and for. Permission to publish material from the world war ii rationing stamps program must be obtained from the special collections manuscript curator andor the special collections department head. Us army rations world war ii world war 2 pictures in color. Here are some facts about rationing during ww2 in britain. The goverment wanted to curb inflation, reduce total consumer spending, and limit potential shortages of essential goods, as in britain, by trying to ensure that there.
World war two ration book replica wwii teaching aids. More than 8,000 ration boards across the country administered the program. Oct 10, 2017 the weekly food ration for two people, uk, 1943 this photograph shows the amounts of butter, milk, bacon, lard, sugar, cheese, tea and jam received by two people per week in britain. World war ll ration book printable pdf teaching history. The ministry of foods carefully formulated diet is generally believed to have impro. The government found it necessary to ration food, gas, and even clothing during that time. July 1940 tea and margarine were added to the list of rationed foods. Each page is separate so you can include what you need. Aug 16, 2014 a world war 2 ration book template containing 12 pages and a front and back cover. Individuals used these books daily to purchase rationed goods such as sugar, butter, beefsteak, and gas. Rationing was introduced temporarily by the british government several times during the 20th century, during and immediately after a war at the start of the second world war in 1939, the united kingdom was importing 20 million long tons of food per year, including about 70% of its cheese and sugar, almost 80% of fruit and about 70% of cereals and fats.
Canadian war ration books food rationing in canada 19421947. They must create a balanced menu for breakfast, lunch and dinner without exceeding their spending limit or number of points. Elsie widdowson and robert mccance were the two pioneers who created the scientific basis for rationing. The weekly food ration for two people, uk, 1943 this photograph shows the amounts of butter, milk, bacon, lard, sugar, cheese, tea and jam received by two people per week in britain. Below is a timeline of some of the things which were rationed during the war. On august 15, 1945, world war ii gas rationing was ended on the west coast of the united states. The ministry of food was responsible for overseeing rationing. The work of issuing ration books and exchanging used stamps for certificates was handled by. At the start of the second world war in 1939, the united kingdom was.
The front cover has been left blank, so it can be filled in by the new owner. This book is the property of the united states government. Every man, woman and child was given a ration book with coupons. It was not until the early 1950s that most commodities came off the ration. Last year my mum gave me a ration book that dates back to world war 2, shes a hairdresser and one of her customers, an old lady, learnt that i was interested in history and gave me it. Jan 31, 20 antique world war ii ration books are not rare,antiques expert larry cox answers readers questions about world war ii ration books, blakely china and commemorative coins. Developed for during world war ii, the c ration was eaten by millions of soldiers and marines when fresh food was unavailable. There is a note on the back of the book that reads. This ration book belonged to luella runck of oxford, indiana. It is unlawful to sell or give it to any other person or to use it or permit anyone else to use it, except to obtain rationed goods for the person to whom it was issued. Rationing became common during the second world war. Of the 180,000,000 printed, 123,000,000 were issued. Each stamp was worth 1 lb of sugar and was given a designed two week period during.
World war ii ration books bridgeport history center. Civilians were also encouraged to recycle during the war. Although the united states did not have food rationing in world war i, it relied heavily on propaganda. This collection consists of unused certificates, coupons and stamps issued by the united states government office of price administration opa on certain goods that were rationed during world war ii. Apr 19, 2012 rationing regulations for food and clothing were gazetted on 14 may 1942. It was meant to ensure a fair distribution of food, in short supply due to enemy ships attacking merchant ships, preventing them from bringing supplies such as sugar, cereals, fruit and meat to the uk.
In 1942, five months after december 8, 1941 the united states entered the second world war, book one series were. In january 1940, the british government introduced food rationing. World war two ration book what did ration books look like. Make sure this fits by entering your model number this is a single replica junior ration book from 19441945 ideal for school projects, events or for those with an interest in world war 2.
Yes, food rationing was part and parcel of wwii as what the book, eating for victory, reveals. The other army ration available when the country entered world war ii, field ration, type c, as a ration of meat and bread components, had the prewar characteristics of the 1918 reserve ration but had a better balance than its predecessor, good keeping qualities, and sturdy packaging. Shortly after the commencement of world war two, rationing was introduced in canada on january 24, 1942, to limit the use of imported food and to free up supplies for the military and their allies. No matter what youre looking for or where you are in the world, our global marketplace of sellers can help you find unique and affordable options. The home front in world war one by peter craddickadams. Antique world war ii ration books are not rare,antiques expert larry cox answers readers questions about world war ii ration books, blakely china and commemorative coins. Etsy is the home to thousands of handmade, vintage, and oneofakind products and gifts related to your search. Each stamp was illustrated with a military symbol such as a naval ship, airplane, tank, gun, horn of plenty or torch of liberty, adding a patriotic flair. Ration book four also introduced red and blue cardboard tokens, each valued at onepoint, to be used as change for ration coupon purchases.