3.3.1
The Experience of War
World War Two
World War Two
During World War Two, 1.2 million people who joined the US Army were black. Theor experiences of racism in the army radicalised many of them politically.
The 'land of the free'?
The 'land of the free'?
- Black people were fighting for America and the identity that it portrayed to the world; the ‘land of the free’.
- Yet, segregation continued during the Second World War.
- Black and white soldiers used different canteens and were transported in separate vehicles.
- Many felt that this was hypocritical; how could they defend the ‘land of the free’ when they themselves were not free?
Double V
Double V
- Roosevelt stated publicly that the Americans were fighting for 4 freedoms:
- These were freedom of speech, freedom of religion, freedom from want and freedom from fear.
- Black people felt that these freedoms should be applicable to them as well.
- This was shown by the ‘Double V’ sign which represented the two victories black people were fighting for; freedom in Europe and freedom in the USA.
Segregation in the armed forces
Segregation in the armed forces
- Many black people were only permitted service roles (e.g. cooks) within the military.
- Some black people did find themselves on the front line but they were given substandard kit, weapons and were stationed in the most dangerous parts of the battlefield.
Western European influences
Western European influences
- Whilst in Europe, many black people saw that de jure segregation and racism were not the norm.
- In Britain and France, no formal segregation existed.
- Black people were treated as heroes in Europe as they were liberating people against Nazi oppression.
The attitudes of white people
The attitudes of white people
- During the war, the attitudes of many white people in America changed.
- Many saw black people as heroes fighting against the Nazis.
- For example, Woodrow Crockett was a famous Black Fighter Pilot. He carried out 149 successful missions to protect ports in the war.
- Indeed, no black squadrons were shot down throughout the duration of the war.
Comparisons to Nazism
Comparisons to Nazism
- White soldiers also witnessed the racism that the Nazis used in their regime first hand, and it was reported at home in America too.
- The racism of the Nazi regime provided a mirror for some Americans to take a look at their own white supremacism, segregation and the horrific violence of the KKK and other organisations.
- White Americans came face to face with the horror that the Nazis inflicted on those who they deemed to be the ‘lesser race’.
Voting Rights
Voting Rights
World War Two did see an increase in the percentage of the black population of America that could vote.
The electorate
The electorate
- Before WW2, only 2% of black people had the vote and by 1945 this had increased to 15%.
Congress
Congress
- Black voters in the North (13% of the population) had the ability to influence election results if they all voted for the same candidates.
- This voting power saw the election of William L Dawson (1943) and Adam Clayton Powell, Jr (1945) to the American Congress.
- These men were the only two black men to be elected to Congress between 1943-1955.
Federal government
Federal government
- Black people were in this period being given positions within the federal government.
- For example, William Haist was appointed as a federal judge in 1949.
- The number of black people in these positions was nowhere near representative of the number of black people in the general population.
1‘Free at Last’ 1865-77
1.1The Thirteenth Amendment
1.2Radical Reconstruction, 1867-77
2The Triumph of ‘Jim Crow’ 1883-c1890
2.1Jim Crow Laws & Civil Rights Cases
3The New Deal and Race Relations, 1933–41
3.1Failure to Address Black Grievances
3.2The New Deal
3.3The Second World War
4‘I have a dream’, 1954–68
4.1Civil Rights Activities, 1954–63
4.2Civil Rights 1964-68
4.3Malcolm X & The Black Panthers
5Obama's Campaign for the Presidency, 2004–09
5.1The Late 20th Century
5.2Barack Obama & his Political Career
5.3Reasons for Obama's Victory
Jump to other topics
1‘Free at Last’ 1865-77
1.1The Thirteenth Amendment
1.2Radical Reconstruction, 1867-77
2The Triumph of ‘Jim Crow’ 1883-c1890
2.1Jim Crow Laws & Civil Rights Cases
3The New Deal and Race Relations, 1933–41
3.1Failure to Address Black Grievances
3.2The New Deal
3.3The Second World War
4‘I have a dream’, 1954–68
4.1Civil Rights Activities, 1954–63
4.2Civil Rights 1964-68
4.3Malcolm X & The Black Panthers
5Obama's Campaign for the Presidency, 2004–09
5.1The Late 20th Century
5.2Barack Obama & his Political Career
5.3Reasons for Obama's Victory
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