African Americans WWII and Truman Flashcards
What was army experience like for African Americans?
1.2 mil in US army during WWII. Northern blacks sent to segregated military camps to train and became radicalised. Units segregated and many blacks made cooks or cleaners. Those who fought had less training, sent to most dangerous parts of battlefield, given poor equipment. Europe treated African Americans better. They used the ‘Double V’ sign, for victory abroad and over racism at home.
How was racism exposed during war?
The US fought Hitler and the Nazis. The KKK had found racism natural and noble but allies liberated Nazi extermination camps in Eastern Europe where over 6 million Jews were killed, exposing the dangers of racism.
Who was Woodrow Crockett?
Woodrow Crockett was an American airman and one of the first black pilots in the American airforce. In the last year of war he flew 149 missions and not one plane from the black squadron was ever shot down.
What pressure made Roosevelt set the FEPC?
In the south $4.5 billion was spent on creating factories. Initially black people were excluded. A. Philip Randolph, black activist, was appalled and threatened a march on Washington. Roosevelt passed an executive order establishing the Fair Employment Practises Commission in 1941 preventing discrimination in jobs.
What was the consequence of war for black populations in the North?
Northern industry boomed. In 1940 a quarter of black citizens lived North rising to a third by 1950, with significant minorities in Chicago, Detroit, New York, and Philadelphia.
By the end of war 48% of African Americans were urban and received better paying jobs. Pressure from black activists forced government concessions.
How did voting in the south change?
2% of black people voted in the South before war rising to 15% by its end. Civil rights campaigners reminded voters of black veterans who had fought for justice but white racists showed hostility and lynching increased.
How did black people become more involved in politics and elections?
By 1945 sixteen Northern states had black populations between 5-13% and had the balance of power in elections. William L Dawson was appointed to Congress in 1943 followed by Adam Clayton Powell Jr in 1945 showing voting power of black citizens. William Haist made federal judge in 1949.
What were the 1943 Detroit riots a response to?
During WWII 500,000 African Americans moved North for employment. However, black people were paid less and there was hostile response. The 1943 Detroit riots led to 34 deaths and 600 injuries over 3 days with white authorities blaming riots of black troublemakers.
What was housing like for African Americans in the South?
In southern states black citizens remained subject to discrimination. 40% of housing was substandard for black citizens whereas only 12% was for white people and in Washington DC, the central district had black people barred from all restaurants, cinemas, and hotels. In the North such segregation wasn’t there.
Why was Harry Truman initially racist?
Harry Truman, at 38, paid $10 to join the Ku Klux Klan. Harry S Truman was born in the border state of Missouri and was exposed to racism but seeing the rise of black support for the Democrat Party alongside hearing of racism experienced by black veterans, he wanted to win over black support.
What actions did Truman initially do?
In 1946 Truman set The President’s Committee on Civil Rights and requested a report on their experience. To Secure These Rights was a report highlighting the problems African Americans faced.
What did To Secure These Rights show?
- 1882-1945 300+ lynchings in 5 southern states.
- Police brutality with bull whipping, dragging police prisoners through public areas, denial of medical treatment.
- Restricted voting in South.
- Army segregation, 1 in 7 white people made officer compared to 1/70 blacks and 1/7 whites in navy promoted for 2/10,000 blacks.
- Blacks earned 47 cents an hour average compared to whites who earned 65.
What actions did To Secure These Rights inspire?
The Civil Rights Section of the Department of Justice had to be reorganised to defend civil rights locally and it had to receive more funding. Presidential and Congressional committees would also monitor racial equality and make improvement proposals. Schools and healthcare would be encouraged to integrate and police brutality would be encouraged to be ended, alongside a Fair Employment Practises Act being passed. Local committees to protect civil rights encouraged.
Why did Trumans actions fail?
Too idealistic : police force was too racist to change and southern governments wouldn’t protect civil rights.
Truman had too much resistance in Congress. The FEPC was poorly funded and lacked support from senior civil servants and the CGCC couldn’t force defence companies to adopt fair practise. His housing program was poorly conceived, fewer houses were built than anticipated and houses available to African Americans declined.
Who did Truman promote?
Truman appointed Ralph Bunche to American Ambassador of the UN and he mediated between Israel and Palestine, winning a nobel peace price in 1950.
