Work Cited 7
The Minority (American Immigrants) In World War II Participation, Efforts and Results
1.0 The Background
1.1 Introduction to the Second World War
The Second World War involved a number of nations and it lasted from 1939-1945. The war involved all the great powers, and it led to the formation of two military alliances, the Axis and Allies. It is essential to note that the war was the most devastating and widespread in human history. The war led to the deaths of millions of people, both military and civilians. The war involved more than 100 million service men from at least 30 different countries. During the Second World War, the countries involved in the war focused their industrial, economic, social and scientific capabilities towards the war (The Second World War 143). This erased the distinction between military and civilian resources because all available resources and efforts were focused on the war. The minority groups in America were not spared by the war because they were required to contribute their resources and efforts towards the war. The minority groups during this period included African Americans, Chinese and Japanese Americans, Filipinos, Hawaiians, Puerto Ricans and American Indians.
1.2 The Domestic and International Environment
Propaganda was the order of the day during this period. At the international and domestic level, the countries involved actively created propaganda against each other. Propaganda in the U.S primarily came from private and government entities. Propaganda was in the form of rumors, information and idea, and it was spread with an aim of inciting action and influencing opinion (The Second World War 189). Media such as posters and newspapers were used for disseminating propaganda. Countries involved spread propaganda concerning culture, international affairs and internal politics and societies.
1.3 The Explanation of Minorities in the U.S
Within the U.S context, a minority group refers to a sociological class in demography. A minority group is a group that is defined and differentiated by the social majority. This means that the majority holds crucial powers within the society and these powers influence the life of the minority groups. A minority group is defined based on race, ethnicity, health, sexual orientation, wealth or gender (Brown 112). In this case, a minority group, in the U.S, refers to a racial or ethnic group that held few positions of political or social powers.
2.0 The Participation of Minority in US during the WWII
2.1 The Number of Minorities Who Participated In the War
Statistics show that a number of minority groups in the U.S participated in the Second World War. The participation of these people in the war was voluntary according to the United States Army Center of Military History. African American constituted the highest number of minority group participants in the war. The African Americans and other members of minority groups faced difficulties in securing induction because of the physical examination requirements. As a result, most of them did not qualify to join the service. The minority groups were crucial sources of military intelligence and work force. According to the U.S. Army Center of Military History, 2,526,649 African Americans were inducted into the forces (Brown 169). These inductees served in different selective services such as the army, navy, coast guard and Marine Corps. Inductees into the selective services for other minority groups included 13,311 Chinese, 1,320 Hawaiians, 141,673 Japanese, 19,567 American Indians, 11,506 Filipinos and 51,438 Puerto Ricans (Brown 171).
2.2 The Deaths
A significant number of people from the minority groups lost their lives during the war. Most of the minority groups were used as service men, which exposed them to causalities. At least 512,613 African Americans lost their lives during the war. Additionally, 12,000 Japanese Americans lost their lives during this war. Most of these deaths resulted from starvation and bombing raids (Brown 152).
2.3 Contributions of the Minority Groups
The minority groups served as service men during the war. They helped America by supplementing the numbers of military men in the battlefronts. Though the minority groups were discriminated against, they served the army and various selective services with honor. They joined and contributed to the work force in the Army Air Corps, Marine Corps and the Coast Guard. The American army used the language used by the minority groups for communication during the war. For instance, the forces used the language of Native Americans for communication (Brown 59). Japanese could not understand this language even after intercepting the communication lines used by Americans.
3.0 The Efforts They Made During the WWII
The efforts the minority groups made in the Second World War was crucial in ending racism in the U.S. For instance, after serving in the military and helping the U.S claim victory, the society became receptive to the minority. Policies and laws were established that created opportunities in education and wealth creation for the minority groups. The military men noticed that they could work together with the minority groups during times of war (Koestler 69). Additionally, the society noticed the need for integration following the contributions of the minority groups despite previous discrimination.
4.0 The Result the Minority Groups Got After the War
After the Second World War, the minority groups were immensely recognized as part of the American society. Additionally, they received awards, honors and medals for service to their country. The minority groups experienced change in their life because the society because receptive to them. Additionally, they were integrated into the society and given opportunities for economic advancement. Policies in the agricultural, housing and educational sectors created additional opportunities for the minority groups. Human rights movements gained momentum following the recognition and sacrifices made by the minority groups (Darder and Rodolfo 79). The human rights movement wanted the recognition of the minority groups and equal treatment for all groups in the society.
4.1 History of Racism in the U.S before WW 2
Racism in the U.S before the Second World War was a prevalent social activity. The history of American discrimination against African Americans and Asian Americans began in the 1850s. Asian Americans were accepted, in the U.S, as sources of cheap labor. However, their increase in numbers and their presence and influence in economic activities led to resentment against the group. The country formulated laws against Japanese in the early 1990s (Darder and Rodolfo 109). These laws denied them rights to citizenship and land. Before the advent of the Second World War, America was a place of little tolerance towards the minority groups. The country established institutional racism, which discriminated the minority groups in all spheres of life (Darder and Rodolfo 97). Employers barred Asian and African Americans from the jobs of their choices and Native Americans were forced to live in poverty in reservation camps.
4.2 Overview of Racism in the U.S during the Second World War
After Japan attacked U.S territories during the war, President Roosevelt instituted Executive Order 9066, which led to the internment of Japanese Americans in detention camps. The government viewed Japanese Americans with suspicion, and as threats to the society. Despite their internment, some of the Japanese Americans proved their loyalty by fighting along their American counterparts during the war (Darder and Rodolfo 83). African Americans continued to be discriminated against at the local levels. For instance, in the south of the country, African Americans were segregated and denied civil rights and liberties.
4.3 The Change of Racism after the WWII
After the Second World War, the minority groups found employment in occupations that they were previously barred. They made additional demonstration of their willingness to sacrifice and serve their country despite the resentment and discrimination. The Second World War helped the minority Americans challenge discrimination and segregation at social and economic levels. Additionally, it created opportunities for the minorities especially African Americans to organize themselves to fight for their rights. The end of the Second World War brought back thousands of Americans home. These people helped in driving change against racism. They contributed by telling about their work relations with different people from the minority groups and their cooperation during the war. After the war, African Americans formed the Congress of Racial Equality. They also used the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People to agitate for their legal and civil rights. This provided platforms for the civil right movements of the peaked in the 1960s (Darder and Rodolfo 149).
Work Cited
Brown, Cynthia S. Refusing Racism: White Allies and the Struggle for Civil Rights. New York: Teachers College Press, 2002. Print.
Darder, Antonia, and Rodolfo D. Torres. After Race: Racism After Multiculturalism. New York: New York University Press, 2004. Print.
Koestler, Frances A. The Unseen Minority: A Social History of Blindness in the United States. New York: AFB Press, 2004. Print.
The Second World War: A World in Flames. Oxford: Osprey, 2004. Print.
