Impact of the New Deal and WW2 on ethnic minorities

Question 1

What was the impact of the 1934 Act on Native Americans?

Answer 1

The 1934 Act moved away from assimilation and allowed tribes to become self-governing bodies and control land sales on the reservations. However, it did not relieve them of poverty, and programs like CCC and PWA had limited effect in levitating them from severe poverty.

Question 2

How did the New Deal affect Black Americans?

Answer 2

Roosevelt needed votes from often racist Southern Democrats, so the New Deal saw no civil legislation. Many measures, like AAA, worked against black Americans. They suffered particularly as they were often the last to be hired and first to be fired, with poorly paid menial jobs previously reserved for them given to whites. NRA allowed black Americans to be paid less, and CCC had strict segregation.

Question 3

How many Black Americans were in the armed forces in 1941?

Answer 3

Less than 4000.

Question 4

How many officers were there among Black Americans in the armed forces in 1941?

Answer 4

Only 12.

Question 5

What did the National Association for the Advancement of Coloured People have to do after WW2 was announced?

Answer 5

Pressure for Black Americans to be recruited.

Question 6

How many Black Americans were in the military by 1945?

Answer 6

1.2 million.

Question 7

What did Black Americans initially face when they joined the military during WW2?

Answer 7

Discrimination and being limited to non-combat roles like ferrying supplies.

Question 8

Why were Black Americans assigned combat roles during WW2?

Answer 8

Because of losses in battle

Question 9

How many Black Americans landed on beaches on D-Day in 1944?

Answer 9

17000

Question 10

Was segregation still strict among Black American soldiers during WW2?

Answer 10

Yes, it was still strict.

Question 11

What was the Double V campaign initiated by the Philadelphia Courier newspaper in 1942 about?

Answer 11

Victory against Axis power which Black Americans fought both armed forces and war work + victory over prejudice and discrimination at home.

Question 12

What percentage of respondents said civil rights shouldn’t be delayed till after war according to a survey conducted in 1942?

Answer 12

88%.

Question 13

How did the holocaust make people examine their own attitudes

Answer 13

It made people realise the extremes to which racism could be taken

Question 14

What is an example of continuing racial inequality

Answer 14

restaurant in Kansas which served German PoWs but not black Americans

Question 15

When did the race riots in Detroit occur and how many people were killed?

Answer 15

The race riots in Detroit occurred in 1943 and resulted in the deaths of 25 black Americans and 9 whites.

Question 16

What was the cause of the serious riot in Harlem?

Answer 16

The serious riot in Harlem was caused by a black American soldier being shot by a white police officer

Question 17

How many people were arrested during the Harlem riot?

Answer 17

600 people were arrested during the Harlem riot.

Question 18

What happened during the Harlem riot?

Answer 18

A crowd of 3000 people gathered and attacked white-owned businesses, causing $500000 worth of damage.

Question 19

What kind of work did Hispanic Americans mainly do in the Southwest and what kind of treatment did they face?

Answer 19

Hispanic Americans mainly worked in agriculture in the Southwest and faced unfair treatment in the workplace and everyday life.

Question 20

In Texas, what percentage of Hispanic American children were educated in segregated schools?

Answer 20

In Texas, 90% of Hispanic American children were educated in segregated schools.

Question 21

During the Depression, what happened to unemployed Hispanic Americans?

Answer 21

During the Depression, unemployed Hispanic Americans were moved to be deported. 400000 were sent to Mexico and the Hispanic American population in Texas fell by 1/3.

Question 22

How many Hispanic Americans served in the armed forces during wartime?

Answer 22

500000 Hispanic Americans served in the armed forces during wartime.

Question 23

What kind of employment did many Hispanic Americans find during wartime?

Answer 23

Many Hispanic Americans found wartime employment working on railroads, shipyards, mines, and munition factories. However, they often held the lowest paid level jobs.

Question 24

How many Hispanic Americans found employment at Los Angeles shipyards in 1933?

Answer 24

17000 people found employment at Los Angeles shipyards in 1933.

Question 25

What were ‘zoot-suiters’ associated with in the 1940s?

Answer 25

They were associated with gangs and violence.

Question 26

What were ‘zoot suiters’

Answer 26

Young Hispanic Americans associated with gangs and violence

Question 27

What happened in June 1943 that led to the Los Angeles Riots?

Answer 27

Sailors from Chavez Ravine naval base committed random attacks. Both military and police turned a blind eye while press accused Hispanic Americans for causing violence

Question 28

Why were 100,000 Japanese Americans forcibly sent to relocation centers in 1942?

Answer 28

It was believed that it was impossible to distinguish between loyal and traitorous Japanese, so all Japanese Americans were locked up.

Question 29

What happened to the property of Japanese Americans who were sent to relocation centers?

Answer 29

They had to leave their property unprotected, which led to looting and losses worth $400 million for the affected community.

Question 30

What were the conditions like in the relocation centers?

Answer 30

The centers were similar to prisons with armed guards and barrack-type accommodation.

Question 31

Were there any incidents of violence in the relocation centers?

Answer 31

Yes, there was a riot in one camp that left two inmates dead.

Question 32

When did internees return home from the relocation centers?

Answer 32

Internees returned home in 1944 when fear of a Japanese attack receded.

Question 33

When was there compensation for Japanese American Internees

Answer 33

not until 1988