Historical Question: In What Ways Did World War II Impact the Social Advancements of Women and African Americans?

Document A: World War II Propaganda Poster Compilation

Do the job he left behind. [Poster]. 1943. Retrieved from https://digitalcollections.hoover.org/objects/40764/do-the-job-he-left-behind-apply-us-employment-service;jsessionid=6423E24FF49F80662D923045F0BDB2B4. Learn a skill you’ll value all your life. [Poster]. Circa 1942-1945. Retrieved from https://catalog.archives.gov/id/514845. “Women in war industry. [Poster].” Circa 1941-1945. Retrieved from http://dp.la/item/99fbf337af37f98cfb8ffcb0aab7833d.

Teacher Copy Directions: Working in groups, carefully examine the posters below and complete a Poster Analysis Worksheet for each.

Historical Question: In What Ways Did World War II Impact the Social Advancements of Women and African Americans?

Student Copy

DOCUMENT A World War II Propaganda Posters Compilation Sheet

Directions: After carefully examining each of the given posters and collaborating with your group, answer the corresponding questions below. Document B

Historical Question: In What Ways Did World War II Impact the Social Advancements of Women and African Americans?

Document B: Journal Article (Secondary Source)

Murdoch, M., Bradley, A., Mather, S. H., Klein, R. E., Turner, C. L., & Yano, E. M. (2006). Women and War: What Physicians

Should Know. Journal of General Internal Medicine, 21(Suppl 3), S5–S10. Retrieved from

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1513175/pdf/jgi021-S5.pdf

Excerpt From Women and War: What Physicians Should Know

The following document is an excerpt from an article written by several individuals in the VA health care system. The

document highlights the social atmosphere of women in the military during World War II.

Directions: Carefully read the document below. Re-read it and answer the questions that follow.

World War II (WWII) and the ‘‘Cold War’’

Numerous new advances for women’s military integration came just prior to WWII. Again anticipating critical manpower

shortages, Congress established the Women’s Army Auxiliary Corps (WAAC) and the Women’s Naval Reserve (WAVES). In 1942,

precursors of the Women Air Force Service Pilots (WASPS) were established to free up male combat pilots. Finally, in 1943, women

were given full (opposed to auxiliary) military status in the Army with establishment of the Women’s Army Corps (WAC). That year,

Congresswoman Frances Payne Bolton also amended the Nurse Training Bill to bar racial bias in the Army, and soon 2,000 blacks

were enrolled in the Cadet Nurse Corps. The Navy did not drop its racial ban until 1945, however, and hence enrolled far fewer black

women.

Historical Question: In What Ways Did World War II Impact the Social Advancements of Women and African Americans?

Although Congress again ordered a general demobilization of women after WWII (nurses were excepted), 2 years later they

officially deemed the WAC a permanent part of the regular and reserve Army. Furthermore, the 1948 Women’s Armed Services

Integration Act made women permanent members of all uniformed services’ regular and reserve forces; and Executive Order 9981

eliminated racial discrimination and

segregation for black servicemen and women. Restrictions on women’s roles, however, still existed. The Women’s Armed Services

Integration Act prevented women from

commanding men or serving in combat roles and placed a 2% cap on the proportion of troops that could be women. Other provisions

limited the allowable number of female mid-level officers and prohibited all women from attaining flag rank. Precisely 1 woman per

service was allowed to serve as a temporary, 4-year full colonel/Navy commander at any time. The Act required automatic discharges

for pregnant women and women with minor children.

Discussion Questions

1. Why were women allowed to join the military?

2. How many groups were established in the military for women? List them.

3. Based on the context, what can you infer the term “auxiliary” means?

Historical Question: In What Ways Did World War II Impact the Social Advancements of Women and African Americans?

4. Which military branch do you think had the least number of African Americans? What evidence supports your opinion?

5. Describe the pros and cons of the Women’s Armed Services Integration Act.

Historical Question: In What Ways Did World War II Impact the Social Advancements of Women and African Americans?

Document C

This newspaper article recognizes the contribution Martha “Tish” Barnum made to the wartime industry. The article gives insight into

her family background and her views on working.

Bright, M. (1942, November 20). "Running 10-Ton Arsenal Crane A Delight for 'Tish' Barnum, 19" The Boston Herald. Retrieved

from https://www.archives.gov/files/boston/exhibits/homefront/4.01-10-scrapbook.pdf#page=8.

Historical Question: In What Ways Did World War II Impact the Social Advancements of Women and African Americans?

Historical Question: In What Ways Did World War II Impact the Social Advancements of Women and African Americans?

Historical Question: In What Ways Did World War II Impact the Social Advancements of Women and African Americans?

DOCUMENT D IS A PDF FILE DOWLOADED FROM ARCHIVES. I AM UNSURE HOW TO PASTE IN THIS DOCUMENT, BUT THIS IMAGE IS A PART OF IT.

Historical Question: In What Ways Did World War II Impact the Social Advancements of Women and African Americans?

Historical Question: In What Ways Did World War II Impact the Social Advancements of Women and African Americans?

Document E This political cartoon depicts the challenges African Americans faced in wartime industries.

Poster-208-COM-13; "He's Willing, He's Capable, and We Need Him - Use Him!!"; 1943; Artworks and Mockups for Cartoons

Promoting the War Effort and Original Sketches by Charles Alston, ca. 1942 - ca. 1945; Records of the Office of War Information,

Record Group 208; National Archives at College Park, College Park, MD. [Online Version,

https://www.docsteach.org/documents/document/we-need-him, July 17, 2018]

Historical Question: In What Ways Did World War II Impact the Social Advancements of Women and African Americans?

Historical Question: In What Ways Did World War II Impact the Social Advancements of Women and African Americans?

Document F This is a letter from President Roosevelt reminding Joseph Curran, the President of the National Wartime Union, that racial

discrimination was no longer acceptable in the military.

Roosevelt, F.D. (n.d.) [Letter written January 14, 1942 to Joseph Curran]. Retrieved from

https://www.gilderlehrman.org/sites/default/files/content-images/06686p1.web_.png.

Historical Question: In What Ways Did World War II Impact the Social Advancements of Women and African Americans?

Document G This is transcript of Dorothy Dugan’s appeal hearing for being denied the ability to change jobs for higher pay.

Dungan v Prosper Shepenell and Sons Company (1944). Retrieved from

https://www.archives.gov/files/boston/exhibits/homefront/4.13-case-728.pdf

Historical Question: In What Ways Did World War II Impact the Social Advancements of Women and African Americans?

Historical Question: In What Ways Did World War II Impact the Social Advancements of Women and African Americans?

Historical Question: In What Ways Did World War II Impact the Social Advancements of Women and African Americans?

Historical Question: In What Ways Did World War II Impact the Social Advancements of Women and African Americans?

Historical Question: In What Ways Did World War II Impact the Social Advancements of Women and African Americans?

Document H This is a letter to the editor that set the tone for the “Double V” campaign.

Thompson, J. G. “Should I Sacrifice to Live ‘Half-American?’” Pittsburgh Courier, January 31, 1942.

Retrieved from https://www.pcsb.org/cms/lib8/FL01903687/Centricity/Domain/7034/james-thompson-letter.pdf EDITOR'S NOTE: The Pittsburgh Courier's "Double V" idea, created in the mind of James G. Thompson of Wichita, Kansas, and brought to glowing light through the brilliant pen of Wilbert L. Holloway, Courier staff artist, has swept the nation like wildfire. The letter of Mr. Thompson, which appeared first in our issue of January 31, is reprinted here, because of its over all significance and because of its gem-like literary value. The editors of The Pittsburgh Courier suggest that everyone who reads this letter, clip it out and place it in a conspicuous place... where all may see AND read! DEAR EDITOR: Like all true Americans, my greatest desire at this time, this crucial point of our history; is a desire for a complete victory over the forces of evil, which threaten our existence today. Behind that desire is also a desire to serve, this, my country, in the most advantageous way. Most of our leaders are suggesting that we sacrifice every other ambition to the paramount one, victory. With this I agree; but I also wonder if another victory could not be achieved at the same time. After all, the things that beset the world now are basically the same things which upset the equilibrium of nations internally, states, counties, cities, homes and even the individual. Being an American of dark complexion and some 26 years, these questions flash through my mind: "Should I sacrifice my life to live half American?" "Will things be better for the next generation in the peace to follow?" "Would it be demanding too much to demand full citizenship rights in exchange for the sacrificing of my life." "Is the kind of America I know worth defending?"

Historical Question: In What Ways Did World War II Impact the Social Advancements of Women and African Americans?

"Will America be a true and pure democracy after this war?" "Will colored Americans suffer still the indignities that have been heaped upon them in the past?" These and other questions need answering; I want to know, and I believe every colored American, who is thinking, wants to know. This may be the wrong time to broach such subjects, but haven't all good things obtained by men been secured through sacrifice during just such times of strife? I suggest that while we keep defense and victory in the forefront that we don't loose sight of our fight for true democracy at home. The "V for Victory" sign is being displayed prominently in all so-called democratic countries which are fighting for victory over aggression, slavery and tyranny. If this V sign means that to those now engaged in this great conflict then let colored Americans adopt the double VV for a double victory. The first V for victory over our enemies from without, the second V for victory over our enemies within. For surely those who perpetrate these ugly prejudices here are seeing to destroy our democratic form of government just as surely as the Axis forces. This should not and would not lessen our efforts to bring this conflict to a successful conclusion; but should and would make us stronger to resist these evil forces which threaten us. America could become united as never before and become truly the home of democracy. In way of an answer to the foregoing questions in a preceding paragraph, I might say that there is no doubt that this country is worth defending; things will be different for the next generation; colored Americans will come into their own, and America will

Historical Question: In What Ways Did World War II Impact the Social Advancements of Women and African Americans?

eventually become the true democracy it was designed to be. These things will become a reality in time; but not through any relaxation of the efforts to secure them. In conclusion let me say that though these questions often permeate my mind, I love American and am willing to die for the America I know will someday become a reality. JAMES G. THOMPSON