American+Homefront+_+Women+%26+Minority+Groups+During+WWII

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American Homefront | Women & Minority Groups During WWII Directions: Analyze the text and answer the questions that follow each section. Building the Military Within days of Germany’s attack on Poland in 1939, President Roosevelt expanded the army to 227,000 soldiers. Before the spring of 1940, many Americans had opposed a peacetime draft. Opinions changed after France surrendered to Germany in June 1940. In September of that year, Congress approved the Selective Service and Training Act—a plan for the first peacetime draft in American history—by a wide margin. Responsible for taking the ﬂood of recruits and building a large modern army capable of engaging the armed forces of Germany and Japan was General George C. Marshall, chief of staǣ of the U.S. Army and Roosevelt's chief military advisor. Marshall would guide the largest expansion of the army in American history from fewer than 190,000 men at the time the war began in Europe in 1939 to over 8 million men by the war's end. You’re in the Army Now More than 60,000 men enlisted in the month after the attack on Pearl Harbor. At first, the ﬂood of recruits overwhelmed the army’s training facilities and equipment supplies. In 1940 the Department of Agriculture had transferred over 350,000 acres to the War Department. New bases such as the Naval Air Station in Jacksonville, Florida, were built, and existing ones such as Eglin Air Force Base were expanded. Many recruits lived in tents rather than barracks, carried sticks representing guns, and practiced maneuvers with trucks labeled “TANK.” Recruits were given physical exams and injections against smallpox and typhoid. Then they were issued uniforms, boots, and available equipment, and sent to basic training for eight weeks. Trainees drilled and exercised and learned how to work as a team. Basic training helped break down barriers between soldiers. Recruits came from all over the country, and training together created tight relationships among the troops. 1. How did the size of the military change from the start of the war until the end? from fewer than 190,000 men at the time the war began in Europe in 1939 to over 8 million men by the war's end.

A Segregated Military Although basic training promoted unity, most recruits did not encounter Americans from every part of society. At the start of the war, the U.S. military was segregated. African Americans were organized into their own units, but white oǤcers generally commanded them. Military leaders typically assigned them to construction and supply units. Pushing for “Double V” Not all African Americans wanted to support the war. As one African American college student noted: “The Army jim-crows us. . . . Employers and labor unions shut us out. Lynchings continue. We are disenfranchised . . . [and] spat upon. What more could Hitler do to us than that?” Nevertheless, most agreed that they should support their country. One leading African American newspaper, the Pittsburgh Courier, launched the “Double V” campaign to urge readers to support the war to win a double victory over Hitler’s racism abroad and racism at home. 2. Describe the role of African Americans in the military at the beginning of World War II? 3. Why did some African Americans not want to support the war eǣort? 4. What was the Double V Campaign? African Americans in Combat Under pressure from African American leaders, President Roosevelt ordered the armed services to recruit African Americans and to put them into combat. He also promoted Colonel Benjamin O. Davis, Sr., the highest-ranking African American oǤcer, to the rank of brigadier general. In early 1941, the air force created its first African American unit, the 99th Pursuit Squadron. Trained in Tuskegee, Alabama, the pilots became known as the Tuskegee Airmen. Commanded by Lt. Colonel Benjamin O. Davis, Jr., the squadron helped win the Battle of Anzio in Italy. Three other Tuskegee squadrons protected American bombers as they ﬂew to their targets. Known as the 332nd Fighter Group, these squadrons ﬂew 200 African Americans were organized into their own units, but white ocers generally commanded them. Military leaders typically assigned them to construction and supply units. They already get treated badly, if hilter win the war, he may treat them better, no one will treat worse than the original American people did. So they think nothing will be worse. readers to support the war to win a double victory over Hitler’s racism abroad and racism at home.

such missions without losing a single member to enemy aircraft. Also, the African American 761st Tank Battalion was commended for service during the Battle of the Bulge. 5. List three accomplishments of African Americans in combat during World War II. Other Minorities in the Military Although Japanese Americans were not allowed to serve at first, as the war progressed second-generation Japanese Americans served in the 100th Infantry Battalion and the 442nd Regimental Combat Team. Almost half had been in internment camps in the Southwest. Together these units became the most decorated in the history of the United States military. Approximately 500,000 Hispanic Americans served in the armed forces despite racial hostility against them. By the end of the war, 17 Hispanic Americans had received the Medal of Honor. About one-third of all able-bodied Native American men aged 18–50 served in the military during the war. More than 400 Navajo marines served as “code talkers,” relaying critical information and orders over field radios as spoken messages coded in their own language. Of the half million Jewish Americans who served in the military, approximately 52,000 were decorated for bravery. Because so many European Jews died as a result of the Holocaust, American Jews took on increased leadership in the worldwide Jewish community. Although the military did not end all segregation during the war, it did integrate military bases in 1943 and steadily expanded the role of African Americans within the armed forces. These successes paved the way for President Truman’s decision to fully integrate the military in 1948. 6. Who were the Navajo “code talkers” and what did they do? 7. What did President Harry Truman do with the military in 1948 in large part due to the accomplishments of minority groups during World War II? promoted Colonel Benjamin O. Davis, Sr., the highest-ranking African American o ﬃ cer, to the rank of brigadier general. Commanded by Lt. Colonel Benjamin O. Davis, Jr., the squadron helped win the Battle of Anzio in Italy 332nd Fighter Group, these squadrons flew 200such missions without losing a single member to enemy aircraft. More than 400 Navajo marines served as “code talkers,” relaying critical information and orders over field radios as spoken messages coded in their own language. establishing the President's Committee on Equality of Treatment and Opportunity in the Armed Services, committing the government to integrating the segregated military

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Women Join the Armed Forces Women also joined the armed forces. The army enlisted them for the first time but barred them from combat. Many army jobs were administrative and clerical. Filling these jobs with women freed more men for combat. Congress first allowed women in the military in May 1942 by creating the Women’s Army Auxiliary Corps (WAAC). It appointed War Department oǤcial Oveta Culp Hobby as WAAC’s first director. Many women were unhappy that WAAC was not part of the regular army, however. About a year later, the army replaced the WAAC with the Women’s Army Corps (WAC), and Hobby became a colonel. The coast guard, navy, and marines followed suit and set up women’s units. Another 68,000 women served as nurses in the army and navy. About 300 women serving as Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASPs) made more than 12,000 ﬂights to deliver planes to the war eǣort. 8. What roles did women play in the army during World War II? Women in Defense Plants When the war began, American defense factories wanted to hire white men. With so many men in the military, however, there simply were not enough white men to fill all of the jobs. Under pressure to produce, employers began to recruit women and minorities. During the Great Depression, many people believed married women should not work outside the home, especially if they took jobs that could go to men trying to support their families. Most working women were young, single, and employed in traditional female jobs such as domestic work or teaching. The wartime labor shortage, however, forced factories to recruit married women for industrial jobs traditionally reserved for men. Although the government hired nearly 4 million women, primarily for clerical jobs, the women working in the factories captured the public’s imagination. The great symbol of the campaign to hire women was “Rosie the Riveter,” a character from a popular song by the Four Vagabonds. The lyrics told of Rosie, who worked in a factory while her boyfriend served in the marines. Images of Rosie appeared on posters, in newspapers, and in magazines. Eventually 2.5 million women worked in shipyards, aircraft factories, and other manufacturing plants. 68,000 women served as nurses in the army and navy. About 300 women serving as Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASPs) made more than 12,000 flights to deliver planes to the war e ff ort.

By the end of the war, the number of working women had increased from 12.9 million to 18.8 million. Although most women were laid oǣ or left their jobs voluntarily after the war, their success permanently changed American attitudes about women in the workplace. 9. How many women were hired during World War II and in what roles? African Americans Demand War Work Factories hired women, but they resisted hiring African Americans. Frustrated by the situation, A. Philip Randolph, the head of the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters—a major union for African American railroad workers—decided to act. He informed President Roosevelt that he was organizing a march on Washington “in the interest of securing jobs . . . in the national defense and . . . integration into the . . . military and naval forces.” On June 25, 1941, Roosevelt issued Executive Order 8802, which stated, “there shall be no discrimination in the employment of workers in defense industries or government because of race, creed, color, or national origin.” To enforce the order, he created the Fair Employment Practices Commission, the first federal civil rights agency since Reconstruction. 10. What did Executive Order 8802 do? Why was it significant? Mexican Farmworkers The wartime economy also benefited Mexicans. In 1942, the federal government arranged for Mexican farmworkers to help harvest crops in the Southwest as part of the Bracero Program, which continued until 1964. More than 200,000 Mexicans came to work during the war. Many also helped build and maintain railroads. Migrant workers thus became important to the Southwest’s economic system. nearly 4 million women primarily for clerical jobs there shall be no discrimination in the employment of workers in defense industries or government because of race, creed, color, or national origin It is important because The order also established the Fair Employment Practices Commission to enforce the new policy.

11. What was the Bracero Program and what did it do? Racism Leads to Violence Many African Americans left the South for jobs in war factories in the North and West. However, African Americans often faced suspicion and intolerance. Racial violence erupted in Detroit on Sunday, June 20, 1943. Fighting between white and African American teens triggered a citywide riot that left 25 African Americans and 9 whites dead. In Los Angeles, the fear of juvenile crime and racism against Mexican Americans became linked in the “zoot suit” riots. Popular with Mexican American teenagers, zoot suits had very baggy, pleated pants and an overstuǣed, knee-length jacket with wide lapels. Most men, to conserve fabric for the war, wore a “victory suit” with no vest, no cuǣs, a short jacket, and narrow lapels. In June 1943, after hearing rumors that zoot-suiters had attacked several sailors, some 2,500 soldiers and sailors attacked Mexican American neighborhoods in Los Angeles. 12. List two examples of violence that occurred as African and Mexican Americans started to integrate into mainstream society during World War II. WAIT and complete Part II (Primary Source Analysis) as a class. It permitted millions of Mexican men to work legally in the United States on short-term labor contracts In June 1943, after hearing rumors that zoot-suiters had attacked several sailors, some 2,500 soldiers and sailors attacked Mexican American neighborhoods in Los Angeles. “zoot suit” riots. Popular with Mexican American teenagers, zoot suits had very baggy, pleated pants and an overstued, knee-length jacket with wide lapels. Most men, to conserve fabric for the war, wore a “victory suit” with no vest, no cus, a short jacket, and narrow lapels

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Women & WWII | Primary Source Analysis What does this photo and poster tell us about women’s roles during WWII? What might women after the war use images and posters like this to prove? Women War Workers of Marinship Corp, a shipbuilding company of the United States during World War II. They are construction things. give up their wartime jobs and resuming their homemaking role full-time

African Americans & WWII - Primary Source Analysis FDR’s “Four Freedoms” Freedom of Speech Freedom of Worship Freedom From Want Freedom From Fear In this poem what is Langston Hughes’ criticism of the United States foreign policy during WWII? (use evidence from poem in response) Claims of fighting for democracy abroad are inconsistent with segregation at home. Want more freedom “In the four freedom, too”