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What was a major reason for wartime rationing?

User Shalu
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Final answer:

During wartime rationing, the major reason for it was to ensure that necessary resources were allocated efficiently for the war effort.

Step-by-step explanation:

During wartime rationing, the major reason for it was to ensure that necessary resources were allocated efficiently for the war effort. Rationing was implemented to control and limit the consumption of goods that were in high demand due to military needs, such as gasoline, food items, clothing, and other essential supplies. By distributing limited quantities of these goods through rationing programs, governments could ensure that both military and civilian needs were met.

One example of wartime rationing is the rationing system implemented in the United States during World War II. The government issued ration booklets to civilians, containing coupons that allowed them to purchase limited amounts of goods like meat, coffee, butter, sugar, and other necessary items. Rationing also extended to non-food items like shoes, liquor, cigarettes, and gasoline. Rationing was essential to ensure that enough resources were available for the military and to prevent hoarding and price inflation.

User Bart M
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The primarily reason for wartime rationing, especially in "total" wars such as World War I and II, was that food and supplies that would otherwise usually be consumed by civilians were needed by the troops--meaning that average civilians were forced to limit their intake of goods and services that could be utilized by the military instead. 
User Koen Hollander
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