The Second World War

Blacks Americans had sacrificed their blood on the battlefields of every American war since the revolution, but it had still not brought them full citizenship.

Campaigning

The Double V Campaign proposed victory abroad and at home, against racial injustice.

Black Americans also threatened a March of 50,000 n Washington to end discriminatory practices in government and defence industries.

Employment

From 1942-45 the number of blacks employed in war production increased from 3-9%. This resulted in 2 million African Americans in industry. There was yet another migration North. By the end of the war, the number of black membership unions doubled to 1,250,000. Membership to the NAACP peaked from 50,000 to 450,000

Due to this, blacks became more affluent and their income rose faster in the 1940s than any other decade. However, this lead to an increase in racial tension.

Army

Blacks activists campaigned from impartial administration of the new conscription law. At the end of the war, there were 701, 678 blacks. The navy included 165,00 and no longer restricted them to stewards. No longer restricted from the Marine Corps and Coast Guards.

The Second World War had seen some progress such as employment in the armed forces and more blacks became more active campaigning for civil rights. However there was still racial tension.

Racial tension

47 cities experienced riots. The worst was in Detroit in June 1943 when 25 black people were killed.

9 black Americans killed in riots in Harlem.

Also riots in 9 army training camps where the soldiers resented their unequal treatment.

Freedom Movements

CORE founded by James Farmer in 1942. Inspired by the non-violent tactics of Mahatma Gandhi. It used the idea of sit-ins at cinemas an restaurant. It lead to the end of segregation in some northern cities.

Confidence of the NAACP was sufficiently high in the 1940s such that it felt able to challenge education.

Truman

Truman offered a Fair Deal: hope and civil rights.

Contribution in the war was recognised.

A committee was set up to prevent lynching and segregation but nothing as done.

Republicans and Dixiecrats continued to block reforms

*THE MOST IMPORTANT REFORM CAME WHEN THE ARMED FORCES WERE DESEGREGATED IN 1948. THEY WERE THE MOST SEGREGATED INSTITUTION IN AMERICA*

Although no new laws were passed, he raised the nation's awareness of injustice.

Politics

Rise of registered voters from 3-12% in 1940-47

Civil rights split the Democrats in 1948 election. Truman wanted to introduce a civil rights bill and also propose an anti lynching bill. (which was rejected)

Blacks still had to live in poor quality apartments and ghettoed areas, despite high quality levittowns.

America had emerged from the war affluent due to investing in war bonds. The white flight to suburbia came about due to the Migration North and they settled in these levittowns.