We Helped Win The War Too! A Look at Minority Groups in WWII.

We Helped Win The War Too!

A Look at Minority Groups in WWII

Women At the Homefront

• By 1944 20 million women working (up 57% from 1940)

• Men $54.65/week

• Women $31.21/week

Rosie the Riveter

• Nickname for women working in Factories

• Jobs: welders, riveters, making munitions, machinists, etc

Women in the Military

• Law by May 1942 (at 1st Congress against it-it took a year to pass)

• Jobs: Secretaries, radio operators, truck drivers, and airplane mechanics

• NO COMBAT!

Women in The Military

• WACS: Army • WAVES: Navy

(fashion designer helped design uniforms to keep feminine)

• SPARS: Coast Guard

Women in the Military

• WASPS: Women’s Air Force Service Pilots

• Ferried training aircraft and supplies

• 38 died during WWII

WASPS AFTER WAR

• Returned home with no military benefits or recognition

• July 1, 2009 Obama awarded them the Congressional Gold Medal

• Ceremony March 10, 2010

Civilian Women Overseas

• Red Cross: nurses, nurses aides

• Salvation Army: Donut Dollies, Entertainment

African Americans on The Homefront

• Women migrate north to work in factories

• Double V Campaign: victory over fascism in Europe & victory over racism at home

African Americans in the Military

• Start of WWII Segregated, No Combat depending on branch

• 2.5 million African Americans registered for the draft

-For better pay & to fight racism

African Americans in the Military

• Army: Two all black units

• 92nd Division• 761st Tank Division

(Black Panthers)

-Fought in combat

-Battle of the Bulge

-Medal of Honor winner

761st Tank Unit

• “Men, you're the first Negro tankers to ever fight in the American Army. I would never have asked for you if you weren't good. I have nothing but the best in my Army. I don't care what color you are as long as you go up there and kill those Kraut sons of b*****. Everyone has their eyes on you and is expecting great things from you. Most of all your race is looking forward to your success. Don't let them down and d*** you, don't let me down!” -Patton

African Americans in the Military

• Tuskegee Airmen:Trained at Tuskegee

University & Howard University

-1st had to train as civilians

-445 Tuskegee airmen in WWII

-150 killed in WWII-Highly Decorated

After the War

• Troops become Desegregated by the end of WWII

• Return to discrimination and segregation in the south

• Jackie Robinson: 1st African American to play for the Major Leagues in Baseball April 15, 1947

• *He was in the 761st!

Mexican Americans

• Bracero Programs: US recruits Mexican farmers

• -told to return after WWII• Zoot Suit Riots: white

sailors started a fight with Mexican Americans & it led to riots in Los Angeles that spread across the country

• Also targeted African Americans, other Latinos, & Filipinos

• Nicknamed for suits Mexicans wore