0. Louisiana: The History of an American State
Chapter 14
Louisiana’s World War II Era:
Patriotism and Prosperity
Study Presentation
©2005 Clairmont Press

1. Chapter 14 Louisiana’s World War II Era: Patriotism and Prosperity
Section 1: Louisiana in World War II
Section 2: Louisiana’s Governors
Section 3: Postwar Changes

2. Section 1: Louisiana in World War II
ESSENTIAL QUESTION:
How did World War II affect the lives of Louisianans?

3. Section 1: Louisiana in World War II
What words do I need to know?
sabotage
blackout
ration
victory garden
United Service Organization

4. World War II In 1930s, Germany was led by Adolf Hitler
Germany wanted to expand their control of Europe
Japan was expanding its control of Asia
President Roosevelt planned for the USA to be neutral
The president looked for ways to help France, Great Britain, and their allies
Supplying the allies helped get the US out the Great Depression
Sept. 1940: US begins first peacetime draft to prepare for possible war

5. The Maneuvers
August 1941: Louisiana was site of war games or “mock wars” to prepare troops for possible war
Winn Parish and Rapides Parish saw the arrival of thousands of soldiers
General Dwight D. Eisenhower and General George Patton directed the operations
Bossier Parish became important training site – now the home of the US 8th Air Force

6. Reaction to Pearl Harbor
December 7, 1941: Japan attacked US Navy at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii
December 8, 1941: US declared war on Japan
Extra guards were set up to guard against sabotage (deliberate damage or destruction)
blackouts: turning off all lighting to deter nighttime air attacks
Civil defense organizations used regular citizens to help guard Louisiana from attack
General Claire Lee Chennault: Louisiana’s first famous war hero
Led “Flying Tigers” in air battles with the Japanese
By end of war, nearly 275,000 Louisianans had served in the military – over 4,000 were killed

7. The Home Front
Victory gardens (small family gardens) were planted to increase the food supply
Children helped in the war effort by distributing information flyers, collecting scrap metal, rubber, and paper
Citizens were star pins or displayed them in windows along with US flags
United Service Organization (USO): provided entertainment and assistance to soldiers
German prisoners of war (POWs) were held in Louisiana parishes including West Baton Rouge, Lincoln, and Rapides

8. The End of the War 1945: war in Europe ended (V-E Day)
Servicemen’s Readjustment Act (G.I. Bill): federal program to help soldiers get more education and continue life after the military
Mardi Gras and other celebrations were started again after the war’s end
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9. Section 2: Louisiana’s Governors
ESSENTIAL QUESTION:
How did Louisiana’s governors lead the state after World War II?

10. Section 2: Louisiana’s Governors
What words do I need to know?
civil service program
Page 388

11. Louisiana’s Governors
After Huey Long’s death, state was divided into supporters and opponents
Many believed that Long and his supporters were corrupt
The “anti-Longs” won the 1940 election when Sam Jones was elected governor
The “pro-Longs” did not regain power until the 1948 election

12. Sam Jones
Voters liked Jones because he was not part of the old political crowd
War veteran
Promised to bring honesty to state government
Government employees did not have to contribute money to the governor’s campaign fund
Voter lists were published to remove the names of dead citizens
Companies doing business with the state had to bid for the contracts to make sure the state got the best price
Civil service system set up to protect state workers from governor’s power
Like Long, Jones increased spending on pensions, education, roads, bridges, and hospitals

13. Jimmie Davis Born the son of a poor sharecropper
Paid for his own education and began public service in the Public Service Commission
Sang country music and played guitar
Added retirement system for state workers
Directed more money to state education system
Left office with the state budget having extra money (surplus)

14. Earl Long
Similar political views to his brother, Huey – believed the fortunate should help the less fortunate; the rich should help the poor
Gave away hams and bacon before speeches to draw a crowd
Increased spending on health, welfare, education, and highways
Pay for African American teachers increased
Increased sales, gas, and severance taxes to pay for social programs
Abolished the civil service system so that he could put his supporters in office

15. Robert Kennon
Wanted to reform state government and make it more efficient
Voting machines added to reduce fraud
Worked to eliminate illegal gambling
Made it harder to increase taxes – required 2/3 vote of legislature
Prisons were improved and prison workers salaries increased
Gave control of city government of New Orleans to its citizens

16. The Return of Earl Long In 1956, Earl Long was re-elected
Long had encouraged blacks to register to vote
Long had helped to get many social programs for blacks, and he wanted their votes
Segregationists (people who wanted to keep whites and blacks separate) worked to get blacks taken off the voting lists
Experienced health problems and died of heart attack just after being elected to the US House of Representatives in 1960
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17. Section 3: Postwar Changes
ESSENTIAL QUESTION:
What changes in the economy of Louisiana followed World War II?

18. Section 3: Postwar Changes
What words do I need to know?
right-to-work law
Cold War

19. The Economy
1940s and 1950s Louisiana moved from agricultural to industrial state
Many blacks in Louisiana moved north for better jobs and less discrimination
Oil industry expanded with offshore oil rigs in the Gulf of Mexico
Labor unions grew in strength, but some believed that their power discouraged new businesses from moving to the state
A right-to-work law was passed in 1954 which allowed workers to choose whether to join a union or not

20. Cultural Changes
WDSU and WAFB were Louisiana’s first television stations in late 1940s
By 1950s, many homes had televisions
Rock and roll music began in 1950s, shocking many older Louisianans
Louisiana’s jazz and blues had helped to encourage rock and roll
Elvis Presley sang in Louisiana on several occasions and was very popular with teens

21. The Cold War
Soviet Union and USA began war of diplomacy and words (Cold War)
The spread of communism was a great fear of Americans
Korean War broke out as US backed South Korea against the communist North Korea – war ended in 1953
Soviet Union and USA also were in an arms race to build stronger nuclear weapons
Some Louisianans practiced moving to bomb shelters, but most people thought there was no use to prepare against a nuclear attack
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