Truman: AAs

Question 1

why did WWII affect lives of African Americans

Answer 1

• had enjoyed desegregated Europe and treated like heroes
• seen the dangers of racism during war (nazis)
• white soldiers had fought with them and saw them more as American, played a big role in country’s war effort
• war caused economic boom so AAs felt some benefits

Question 2

voting in south before vs after war

Answer 2

2%-15%

Question 3

white attitudes towards civil rights

Answer 3

• hostility

- increase in lynchings the year following the war

Question 4

great migration

Answer 4

demands of wartime economy increased the number of AAs who moved north into major cities for work

Question 5

media improvements

Answer 5

black newspapers e.g. Chicago defender more popular and active in campaigns

Question 6

political awareness

Answer 6

• growth
• increase of NAACP membership: 50,000 - 450,000 during WW2
• 1952: membership exceeded 1m

Question 7

racial tensions

Answer 7

• increased
• 1943 race riot: Detroit, involved 100,000, caused 34 deaths
• ‘the negro soldier’ 1944 produced as army leaders were concerned