Arsenal of Democracy

The American Automobile Industry in World War II

Charles K. Hyde, Thomas A. Klug

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English

Wayne State University Press
05 August 2025

History of the Americas; 20th century history: c 1900 to c 2000; Second World War; Manufacturing industries; Road & motor vehicles: general interest

Series: Great Lakes Books

Examines the role of the American automobile industry in producing vehicles, weapons, and other war products during World War II.

Throughout World War II, Detroit's automobile manufacturers accounted for one-fifth of the dollar value of the nation's total war production, and this amazing output from ""the arsenal of democracy"" directly contributed to the allied victory. In fact, automobile makers achieved such production miracles that many of their methods were adopted by other defense industries, particularly the aircraft industry. In Arsenal of Democracy: The American Automobile Industry in World War II, award-winning historian Charles K. Hyde details the industry's transition to a wartime production powerhouse and some of its notable achievements along the way.

Hyde examines several innovative cooperative relationships that developed between the executive branch of the federal government, U.S. military services, automobile industry leaders, auto industry suppliers, and the United Automobile Workers (UAW) union, which set up the industry to achieve production miracles. He goes on to examine the struggles and achievements of individual automakers during the war years in producing items like aircraft engines, aircraft components, and complete aircraft; tanks and other armored 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 the important role played by previously underused workers-namely African Americans and women-in the war effort and their experiences on the line.

Arsenal of Democracy includes an analysis of wartime production nationally, on the automotive industry level, by individual automakers, and at the single plant level. For this thorough history, Hyde has consulted previously overlooked records collected by the Automobile Manufacturers Association that are now housed in the National Automotive History Collection of the Detroit Public Library.

By: Charles K. Hyde
Series edited by: Thomas A. Klug
Imprint: Wayne State University Press
Country of Publication: United States [Currently unable to ship to USA: see Shipping Info]
Edition: Second Updated Edition
Dimensions: Height: 254mm, Width: 178mm,
ISBN: 9780814352373
ISBN 10: 0814352375
Series: Great Lakes Books
Pages: 264
Publication Date: 05 August 2025
Audience: General/trade , ELT Advanced
Format: Paperback
Publisher's Status: Active

Charles K. Hyde is professor emeritus of history at Wayne State University. He is the author of Storied Independent Automakers: Nash, Hudson, and American Motors, The Dodge Brothers: The Men, the Motor Cars, and the Legacy, and Riding the Roller Coaster: A History of the Chrysler Corporation (all Wayne State University Press).

Reviews for Arsenal of Democracy: The American Automobile Industry in World War II

Arsenal of Democracy will surprise and educate those of us for whom Rosie the Riveter has always implied a smooth, patriotic, even happy transformation of industry in the nation's interests. -- ""Journal of American Culturw"" Charles K. Hyde wrote the definitive history of Detroit's role [in World War II]. -- ""Detroit Free Press"" Heavily researched and scrupulously presented... Extensive notes and an index round out this excellent addition to military and World War II history shelves. -- ""Midwest Book Review"" Hyde's well-researched volume will enlighten serious students of the war."" -- ""Michigan War Studies Review"" Many people have written about war production in World War II, but Hyde stands among the few who teach us new things about how it worked. -- ""Business History Review"" The book clearly shows the enormous impact of WWII and the auto industry's essential role. There would have been no victory without the arsenal. Summing up: Highly recommended. -- ""Choice"" This well-written book is one of the most important studies of industrial mobilization to appear in a long time. . . In addition to anyone interested in the history of industrial Michigan, this study should appeal to historians of technology, business, and the US war economy who have long waited for a comprehensive portrait of the automobile industry in World War II. -- ""Michigan Historical Review""