Natives WWII Flashcards
Who was Ira Hayes and what did he contribute to the war effort?
Ira Hayes was a Navajo from Arizona who contributed to World War II at the battle of Iwo Jima, 1945, against the Japanese. The Navajo were being assimilated and forbidden from speaking their language. The Navajo sent over 800 messages during war and the Department of Defence declassified efforts.
How many contributed in the war and used code?
Navajo men were made to go to the Navy Recruitment Station. 4000 participated in war and 400 were code talkers, with codes within codes to confuse the enemy due to the fact their language didn’t have specific words for weapons.
When was the US flag put up at Iwo Jima?
On February 23 1945 Ira Hayes put up the US flag as a group of 6 from the Easy Company at Mount Suribachi and tried to use his fame to influence politicians on their policies towards Native Americans and tried to correct misrepresentation of his ally – Harlon Block was mistaken to be in the photo when Hansen was the one present.
What happened to Ira Hayes of the Gila River Pima Indian Reservation after war?
On April 20 1945 he met with Truman and was awarded a Navy Commendation from the Marine Corps. After war, he returned to his reservation and suffered addiction, being arrested 52 times. He was extremely modest about his accomplishments and appeared disturbed by the Harlon Block incident. He died on January 24 1955
How many Natives involved in war?
- 25,000 Natives served in the army and 75,000 moved to urban areas to work in defence. Resistance from Iroquois.
What were consequences of WWII for Indians?
- After Pearl Harbour, Japanese Americans were ordered into camps by Roosevelt and then given reservation land as compensation after war.
- Indian soldiers after war faced discrimination, particularly in educational opportunities open to white veterans.
- Munitions factory workers during war forced back eventually.
When was NCAI set ?
In 1944 the National Congress of American Indians was set up in Denver, Colorado, by 80 educated Native Americans including two female leaders. It set to resist termination, attempts to remove Native Americans from reservations. An attempt to unite Native Americans and challenge employment/education discrimination and breaking treaties.
