AfricanAmericans and WWII Before WWII 1941 80 of

African-Americans and WWII

Before WWII • 1941 - 80% of African. Americans still lived in the old confederate states • Most were extremely poor

A. Philip Randolph • 1925 – Philip Randolph President of the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters (BSCP) • As a labor organizer, he worked for the rights of African-American workers

WWII & African-Americans • WWII proved to have huge economic benefits – Jobs in defense factories & armed forces brought almost all Americans out of poverty • …Except African-Americans, who still could not get jobs

The Armed Forces • The Marines excluded African-Americans entirely • The Navy used them as servants • The Army segregated African-Americans into regiments typically led by white officers

The March on Washington • Philip Randolph called for a March on Washington to demand an end to segregation in defense industries and the armed forces

March on Washington • “…With faith and confidence, Negroes, by mobilization and coordination of their mass power, can cause PRESIDENT ROOSEVELT TO ISSUE AN EXECUTIVE ORDER ABOLISHING DISCRIMINATIONS IN ALL GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENT, ARMY, NAVY, AIR CORPS AND NATIONAL DEFENSE JOBS. ”

FDR’s Response • In response, FDR issued Executive Order 8802 – the Fair Employment Act – Banned segregation in the defense industries – Did not desegregate the military • Randolph cancelled the March on Washington as a result

Famous All-African American Forces • 125, 000 African Americans served overseas in WWII • Famous segregated units, such as the Tuskegee Airmen and 761 st Tank Battalion

New Jobs • Movement – Many African-Americans moved to Northern cities in order to take advantage of new opportunities • Defense jobs – Helped lift many African. Americans out of poverty

Racial tensions • Some cities - racism and distrust • Race riots in which African. Americans were targeted

The War’s Effects WWII’s impact on African-Americans: • Better jobs and wages • More organization • Movement to Northern cities • Still racial tension and segregation in some areas – but overall better economic conditions

Post-Script • In 1948 President Harry S. Truman signed Executive Order 9981 integrating the military and mandating equality • The last all-A. A. unit wasn't disbanded until 1954.