Why did they ration in World War 2?

Answer 1

In many combatant countries essential goods, especially food and clothing, were in short supply. The purpose of rationing by coupon was to avoid rationing by price, which would have caused hardship among many ordinary people. Sugar and gasoline were scarce, so they were rationed to keep people with money from hoarding them or profiteering from selling them at high prices to those who really needed them. I think it was also done to make everybody conscious that there was a war going on and that a total war effort was needed.