Class Synopsis 11/8

WWII was a pivotal moment in history for the United States, including African Americans. At the start of WWII segregation was prevalent. Not only was the South legally segregated, but so were the defense industry and the army. The United States entered the war as a segregated nation with a segregated army. However when America went to war to fight for freedom and equality, questions of true democracy forced Americans to look at the irony of being a “true” democracy, while still forcing African Americans to be second-class citizens. Many started to realize it is hard to practice segregation with the rhetoric of freedom. The Japanese even used America’s hypocrisy to enhance their war efforts, as they attempt to convince China to join them in the fight against the United States. African Americans used WWII and this hypocrisy as an opportunity to push for racial equality. Blacks decided to join the army not only to defend their country and fight for democracy, but also joined with the hope that the future would hold more in store as they cut away at the institution of segregation. When WWII started, African Americans were not allowed many privileges that their white counterparts were allowed, and many did not even see combat. However, as the war progressed there started to be racial movements throughout the army. The army desegregated, and by the end of the war African Americans were allowed to become Marines. African Americans wanted to use this movement within the army to gain access to all rights and privileges back home too. They argued that the rededication to the pursuit of a true democracy was the new normal. However, the South was still heavily dedicated to maintaining the status quo, which they started to feel was slipping away from them.

These clashing ideas led to high racial tensions, especially in the South. Whites used racial violence and terror to reaffirm their status and maintain the status quo. Many stories of racial segregation from this time show how committed whites were to segregation in the American South. One of the most vivid stories is the one of the African American soldier who, before going to fight for his country, wanted to eat a hotdog at a segregated hotdog stand. The waitress agreed to allow him to eat there, however before he can eat his hotdog, the manager of the establishment kicked him out and refused to let him eat there. As he was walking out, the soldier turned to see Nazi POW’s being served at the hotdog stand. This story perfectly captures the rising racial tensions and shows how hypocritical America was during WWII.

            The black press used stories like this to show the rest of America and the world what was going on in the South at this time. They used the war as an opportunity to push black agenda. Their double-V campaign sought to not only have a victory abroad, but also a victory at home. A. Phillip Randolph, a black labor leader, knew however that people would only respond to power. He realized people would be more likely to respond if African Americans could advance the issue by working collectively.  Randolph used the war effort to push Washington to desegregate the defense industries. He rallied 100,000 African Americans to complete a March on Washington movement in 1941. However, many people were critical of Randolph and his efforts to use the war to fight racial segregation. Many believed that the war should have come first, and talks of desegregation and equality at home could come after WWII was over. Randolph was successful in his efforts, however, and the defense industry was desegregated, opening more jobs and creating more equality for African Americans.

            WWII, along with the migration of people from rural to urban areas, the success of the court cases won by the NAACP, and the survival of black leadership, led to the civil rights movement. WWII and the period following the war was significant for America, and granted many opportunities to fight segregation and made many Americans face the hypocrisy of America’s democracy.