American History Chapter 18: World War II: Americans at War V. The Social Impact of the War

Bell Ringer Injustice and inequality – name an incident that you associate with these words. Do you know about any involvement of minorities in WWII?

Objectives Learn how African Americans, Mexican Americans, and Native Americans experienced the war at home. Find out about difficulties Japanese Americans faced. See how the war changed conditions for working women.

A) African Americans African American union leader A. Philip Randolph planned to march on DC unless AA were given jobs in wartime industry Roosevelt signed EO 8802 – allowing government jobs without discrimination March called off 2 million AA moved North – race riots in Detroit and New York Pittsburgh courier launched the double V campaign 29) Congress of Racial Equality (CORE): civil rights group founded in Chicago – used non-violent techniques to end discrimination

B) Mexican Americans Worked in factories and fought in the war amidst discrimination US needed farm laborers braceros: Mexican farm laborers brought to work in US Barrios: Spanish speaking neighborhoods in US – poor Mexican-Americans began wearing zoot-suits – US navy personnel in Los Angles thought it was un-American – fighting and riots began – victims usually arrested - Navy limited leave in Los Angles

C) Native Americans Many fought in the war (25,000) 23,000 moved to cities to work Never came home

D) Japanese Americans 127,000 Japanese Americans living in US at war time – 2/3 citizens US afraid of spies – Pearl Harbor EO 9066 – internment for Japanese in camps – people lost everything 32) Interned – confined Barbed wire and armed guards ? Today we look upon it as a grave injustice – 1988 all survivors given 20,000 and an official apology.

Japanese Americans in the Military 17,000 fought in WWII in Europe Nisei – citizens born to Japanese immigrants Some volunteered while living in internment camps 442nd Regimental Combat Team most highly decorated in WWII “Go For Broke”

E) Working Women Women made up 35% of work force – did jobs they never thought possible Rosie the Riveter - 628 AA women improved their jobs also Received less pay Women still did house care and needed family to watch children Some women went back to house after war – many wanted to keep jobs – most were fired for men

Review How did African Americans, Mexican Americans, and Native Americans experience the war at home? What difficulties did Japanese Americans face? In what ways did the war change conditions for working women?