Arsenal of Democracy

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Arsenal of Democracy

During the Great Depression America’s industrial productivity languished. Once the United State entered World War II, the nation’s factories roared back to life and output soared. American workers achieved productivity levels no one imagined were possible. Her factories, shipyards, mines and farms produced a bounty that supplied not only America’s own massive military, but our allies as well.

 Aircraft

Bomber Plant, 1943

Courtesy of the Library of Congress

 Warships

USS Intrepid

Courtesy of the Naval History and Heritage Command

 Firearms

Making M5 and M7 Gun Parts

Courtesy of the Library of Congress

 Landing Craft

Higgins Landing Craft

Courtesy of the National Archives and Records Administration

 Merchant & Liberty Ships

Oregon Shipbuilding Company, Portland, Oregon, circa 1943

Courtesy of the Oregon Historical Society Research Library

 Artillery Pieces

Anti-Aircraft Gun Overlooking a Beach in Algeria, 1943

Courtesy of the Library of Congress

 Machine Guns

30-Caliber Machine Gun Installed on a Navy Plane, 1942

Courtesy of the Library of Congress

 Rounds of Ammunition

Sangamon Ordinance Plant, Illiopolis Illinois

Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum

 Tanks

Chrysler M-3 Tank Manufacturing Plant, Detroit, Michigan

Courtesy of the Library of Congress

 Trucks

Dodge Army Truck Plant, Detroit, Michigan

Courtesy of the Library of Congress

 Helmets

Helmets being made at McCool Radiator Company, Detroit, Michigan

Courtesy of the Library of Congress

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