What was the purpose of victory gardens in the United States during World War I?
|
71 years ago, the Allied forces won a major victory in Normandy, France during World War II. During the war, American civilians supported troops abroad by gardening. Families were encouraged to plant “Victory Gardens” – home vegetable gardens. Show
 About the 1940s Victory GardensPeople began planting Victory Gardens in 1917 during World War I in an effort to avoid rationing food. During World War II, the United States government promoted Victory Gardens again, this time to supplement food rationing at home, helping make more foods available for troops abroad. During the war, canned food was rationed on a system of points, so families growing food could stretch their ration points as well as contribute to the war effort by providing food for soldiers. At its peak, U.S. gardeners had more than 20,000,000 Victory Gardens. What grew in a Victory Garden?In February 1942, the U.S. Department of Agriculture published an informational brochure stating green, leafy vegetables were the most important and should be grown as much as possible between early spring and winter. Gardeners were encouraged to grow several different types of vegetables in their Victory Gardens to provide American diets with more minerals and vitamins. Vegetables that could be canned easily or stored for a long time (like root vegetables), were good choices – rations had to survive the trip to troops abroad. Tomatoes, carrots, lettuce, beets, and peas were all common in a Victory Garden. Lima beans, green beans, cabbage, collards, kale, parsnips, spinach, squash, mustard greens, onions, radishes, sweet corn, potatoes, and turnips were popular too. Interestingly, the 1940s Victory Gardens made kohlrabi and Swiss chard a staple in the American diet because they were easy to grow. Organics in the Victory GardenThe USDA also published brochures to provide novice gardeners with tips for success in their gardens. The Victory Garden Leader’s Handbook (1940) stated that, “Good gardens aren’t luck – they’re planned…Good soil plus fertilizer equals the foundation of a garden.” While using organics might not have been considered “organic gardening” in the 1940s as we think of it today, gardeners were told that keeping up the organic content of soil (like using compost), was essential for a successful garden. Present Day Victory GardensAfter World War II ended, the U.S. called the Victory Garden program, “one of the greatest civilian activities”. Gardeners were invited to a national conference, thanked for their gardens, and encouraged to keep gardening. Today, Victory Gardens still exist, but with a slightly different purpose. Modern day Victory Gardens combat issues of food security, sustainable living, maintaining healthy ecosystems, and strong local economies. Some present day Victory Gardens contain the same vegetables as their 1940s predecessors, while others are drought-tolerant, native plants, or promote wildlife. Central to Victory Gardens in the 1940’s was the desire to develop a healthy ecosystem – making the garden sustainable and productive. The beauty in this history lesson is, organic gardening today carries on that same legacy. During World War I (1917-1918), the Food Administration encouraged the American people to grow their own food in war gardens. The gardens became known as victory gardens. During the conflict, the United States government wanted to guarantee that ample food existed for men serving in the armed forces and for America's allies overseas. By growing victory gardens, the American people could provide for themselves, instead of needing to purchase food grown by farmers. The federal government would then be able to send the farmers' produce overseas. Americans across the United States heeded the government's call and planted victory gardens. Many urban families dug up their yards to provide for themselves and, thus, the soldiers. Apartment dwellers or other people without their own yards routinely received permission from local authorities to convert public parks into victory gardens. Like many other Americans, numerous Ohioans also rallied to support the war effort by planting gardens. Upon the World War I's conclusion, victory gardens quickly declined in number. City parks, once again, became places to play, not places to grow fruits and vegetables. With World War II's outbreak in 1941, American citizens revived their victory gardens, contributing to the war effort to the best of their ability. Victory gardens became a way of supplementing families' diets during a time when many foods were scarce because of rationing. What was the purpose of a victory garden during ww1?First promoted during World War I, war gardening, or victory gardens, provided American citizens an opportunity to assist with the war effort. Americans were encouraged to produce their own food, planting vegetable gardens in their backyards, churchyards, city parks, and playgrounds.
How did victory gardens benefit the war effort?Victory gardens would be credited with helping win the war by getting food to soldiers overseas and feeding hungry Americans at home. But with the Allied Victory in 1945, and the loosening of rationing soon after, many Angelenos — and Americans — let their home gardens go to pot.
What effects did victory gardens have on the war?Victory Gardens in World War II were more than a way to increase morale. They produced a significant amount of healthy food, allowing agricultural produce to be used for the military and the Allies, and reducing the use of tin and transportation.
Did victory gardens help win the war?Victory gardens helped win World War II because they allowed the U.S. government to divert scarce tin supplies for military use. They also promoted healthier eating habits, as fresh, home-grown vegetables supplied 40 percent of the produce grown in the United States by 1944.
|
