louisiana: the history of an american state chapter 14 louisiana’s world war ii era: patriotism...
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Louisiana:Louisiana: The History of an American StateThe History of an American State
Chapter 14Chapter 14
Louisiana’s World War II Era: Louisiana’s World War II Era:
Patriotism and ProsperityPatriotism and Prosperity
Study PresentationStudy Presentation©2005 Clairmont Press
Chapter 14Chapter 14Louisiana’s World War II Era: Louisiana’s World War II Era:
Patriotism and ProsperityPatriotism and Prosperity
Section 1: Section 1: Louisiana in World War II
Section 2: Section 2: Louisiana’s Governors
Section 3: Section 3: Postwar Changes
Section 1: Section 1: Louisiana in World War II Louisiana in World War II
ESSENTIAL QUESTION:– How did World War II affect the
lives of Louisianans?
Section 1: Section 1: Louisiana in World War II Louisiana in World War II
What words do I need to know? 1. sabotage2. blackout3. ration4. victory garden5. United Service Organization
World War IIWorld War II• In 1930s, Germany was led by Adolf Hitler• Germany wanted to expand their control of
Europe• Japan was expanding its control of Asia• President Roosevelt planned for the USA to be
neutral• The president looked for ways to help France,
Great Britain, and their allies• Supplying the allies helped get the US out the
Great Depression• Sept. 1940: US begins first peacetime draft to
prepare for possible war
The ManeuversThe Maneuvers• August 1941: Louisiana was site of war
games or “mock wars” to prepare troops for possible war
• Winn Parish and Rapides Parish saw the arrival of thousands of soldiers
• General Dwight D. Eisenhower and General George Patton directed the operations
• Bossier Parish became important training site – now the home of the US 8th Air Force
Reaction to Pearl HarborReaction to Pearl Harbor• December 7, 1941: Japan attacked US Navy at
Pearl Harbor, Hawaii• December 8, 1941: US declared war on Japan• Extra guards were set up to guard against sabotage
(deliberate damage or destruction)• blackouts: turning off all lighting to deter nighttime air
attacks• Civil defense organizations used regular citizens to help
guard Louisiana from attack• General Claire Lee Chennault: Louisiana’s first famous war
hero• Led “Flying Tigers” in air battles with the Japanese• By end of war, nearly 275,000 Louisianans had served in
the military – over 4,000 were killed
The Home FrontThe Home Front• Victory gardens (small family gardens) were
planted to increase the food supply• Children helped in the war effort by distributing
information flyers, collecting scrap metal, rubber, and paper
• Citizens were star pins or displayed them in windows along with US flags
• United Service Organization (USO): provided entertainment and assistance to soldiers
• German prisoners of war (POWs) were held in Louisiana parishes including West Baton Rouge, Lincoln, and Rapides
The End of the WarThe End of the War• 1945: war in Europe ended (V-E Day)
• Servicemen’s Readjustment Act (G.I. Bill): federal program to help soldiers get more education and continue life after the military
• Mardi Gras and other celebrations were started again after the war’s end
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Section 2: Louisiana’s Section 2: Louisiana’s GovernorsGovernors
ESSENTIAL QUESTION:– How did Louisiana’s governors
lead the state after World War II?
Section 2: Louisiana’s Section 2: Louisiana’s GovernorsGovernors
What words do I need to know?1. civil service program
Louisiana’s GovernorsLouisiana’s Governors• After Huey Long’s death, state was divided
into supporters and opponents
• Many believed that Long and his supporters were corrupt
• The “anti-Longs” won the 1940 election when Sam Jones was elected governor
• The “pro-Longs” did not regain power until the 1948 election
Sam JonesSam Jones• Voters liked Jones because he was not part of the old
political crowd • War veteran• Promised to bring honesty to state government• Government employees did not have to contribute
money to the governor’s campaign fund• Voter lists were published to remove the names of dead
citizens• Companies doing business with the state had to bid for
the contracts to make sure the state got the best price• Civil service system set up to protect state workers from
governor’s power• Like Long, Jones increased spending on pensions,
education, roads, bridges, and hospitals
Jimmie DavisJimmie Davis• Born the son of a poor sharecropper• Paid for his own education and began
public service in the Public Service Commission
• Sang country music and played guitar• Added retirement system for state workers• Directed more money to state education
system• Left office with the state budget having
extra money (surplus)
Earl LongEarl Long• Similar political views to his brother, Huey –
believed the fortunate should help the less fortunate; the rich should help the poor
• Gave away hams and bacon before speeches to draw a crowd
• Increased spending on health, welfare, education, and highways
• Pay for African American teachers increased• Increased sales, gas, and severance taxes to pay
for social programs• Abolished the civil service system so that he could
put his supporters in office
Robert KennonRobert Kennon
• Wanted to reform state government and make it more efficient
• Voting machines added to reduce fraud• Worked to eliminate illegal gambling• Made it harder to increase taxes – required
2/3 vote of legislature• Prisons were improved and prison workers
salaries increased• Gave control of city government of New
Orleans to its citizens
The Return of Earl LongThe Return of Earl Long• In 1956, Earl Long was re-elected• Long had encouraged blacks to register to vote• Long had helped to get many social programs for
blacks, and he wanted their votes• Segregationists (people who wanted to keep
whites and blacks separate) worked to get blacks taken off the voting lists
• Experienced health problems and died of heart attack just after being elected to the US House of Representatives in 1960
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Section 3: Postwar Section 3: Postwar ChangesChanges
ESSENTIAL QUESTION: – What changes in the economy of
Louisiana followed World War II?
Section 3: Postwar Section 3: Postwar ChangesChanges
What words do I need to know?1. right-to-work law
2. Cold War
The EconomyThe Economy• 1940s and 1950s Louisiana moved from agricultural
to industrial state• Many blacks in Louisiana moved north for better jobs
and less discrimination • Oil industry expanded with offshore oil rigs in the Gulf
of Mexico• Labor unions grew in strength, but some believed that
their power discouraged new businesses from moving to the state
• A right-to-work law was passed in 1954 which allowed workers to choose whether to join a union or not
Cultural ChangesCultural Changes• WDSU and WAFB were Louisiana’s first television
stations in late 1940s• By 1950s, many homes had televisions• Rock and roll music began in 1950s, shocking
many older Louisianans• Louisiana’s jazz and blues had helped to
encourage rock and roll• Elvis Presley sang in Louisiana on several
occasions and was very popular with teens
The Cold WarThe Cold War• Soviet Union and USA began war of diplomacy
and words (Cold War)• The spread of communism was a great fear of
Americans• Korean War broke out as US backed South Korea
against the communist North Korea – war ended in 1953
• Soviet Union and USA also were in an arms race to build stronger nuclear weapons
• Some Louisianans practiced moving to bomb shelters, but most people thought there was no use to prepare against a nuclear attack
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