What were rationing books used for in World War 2?

Answer 1

Before the outbreak of war, Britain imported around 55 million tons of food per year from other countries ... tea, sugar, fruit, oil (used for gas), wood and rubber. It had to be shipped across the Atlantic in large cargo vessels.

Once war broke out, Germany did everything to cut off these much needed supplies, by hunting down and destroying the convoys that carried them with their battleships and U-boats. In America all families (including children) would save anything metal or rubber and turn it in for processing. Nothing was wasted.

With imports of food declining the British government set up a committee of nutritional experts to advise the War Cabinet on a strategic food policy. The committee issued: 12 oz. of bread, 6 oz. of vegetables, a lb. of potatoes, 2 oz. of oatmeal, an oz. of fat, and six-tenths of a pint of milk per day, supplements either by small amounts of cheese, meat, fish, sugar, eggs and dried fruit. Everyone was allowed 16 points per month to use on what food items they wished. This was later increased to 20 points per month.

Of course these items had to be paid for. All adults were issued colored ration books, except for seamen and travelers who could not register with a particular shop. Ration books had to be renewed and new ones issued every summer. Ration books had to be handed in at hotels or boarding houses if a person was staying there. Citizens had to register with their local shops. The shopkeeper was then provided with enough food for his/her registered customers. Once items were purchase the shopkeeper would then cross off and subtract the relevant points used for that product for that particular month.

Things we take for granted now was that toilet paper was very expensive so newspaper was rubbed between your knuckles to soften and use. Instead of toothpaste you used baking soda and instead of fresh milk (a luxury during these times) powdered milk was used. Even alcohol was rationed very carefully. Ration books ended in 1945.

Answer 2

Rationing takes place when there are shortages. Let us say that fuel is in short supply. There is some fuel, but not enough for everybody to get as much as they want. Since war is a very expensive process that consumes a lot of resources, there were shortages during WW II. So people were given ration books. Ration books contained tickets. Each ticket allowed you to buy some rationed item, such as a gallon of gasoline. You would still pay money for this item, but you would also give the seller a ticket. That way, when you ran out of tickets, you have used up the amount that was allotted to you by the rationing system. You were issued a book of tickets every month, so that you would be able to get the items you need, while not getting so much of them that you contributed to a shortage for other people. Scarce resources were shared more evenly by means of rationing.