As World War 2 progresses, we will see millions of males being drafted after the bombing of Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. This created a lack of manpower in the workforce which women beginning to take the jobs that men usually before the war. As women move into the workforce during World War 2 they will experience inequality and discrimination. Despite the inequality and discrimination that women had to endure to while working during World War 2 was a good experience for women across America. Women entered the workforce open up many opportunities, “It had been long assumed women couldn't do those jobs -- engineering, other professions in the sciences, manufacturing jobs that had been considered men's work, things women were believed to be too weak to do” (kcts9.org).
World War 2 had changed life on the homefront and completely switched gender roles. As men went off to war the women had to replace their jobs and work in factories manufacturing firearms, bullets, vehicles, etc. The boys who were not old enough to go to war collected scrap material to make items for the soldiers. People even had to put a certain type of shades on their windows to stop light from being seen on the outside in fear of giving the enemy bombers a target. World War 2 even started many social justice movements to stop racism even though it was still present during the war.
Women played an important roles during World War II throughout the world; they gave their time, energy, and some even gave their lives. The War also transformed women's roles in the workplace and society, but for many, it did not last forever. Many had to do work that men did before the war. However, most of the works needed professional and outstanding skills. Nearly 350,000 American women served in uniform, volunteering for numerous reserves and corps.
There were over 500,000 Latinos and 900,000 African Americans that served in the Military during World War II. For Latinos the exact is unknown since the Latino race was not segregated into different groups when they joined the service. When the war started Latinos were among those who enlisted, once they signed one they went on to serve in Europe, North African and the Mediterranean just to name a few; they went on to receive many medals of honor for their service. The 158th Regimental team was made up of a large percentage of Latinos, and when they fought New Guinea and the Philippines, General Mac Arthur was so impressed he called them “the greatest fighting combat team ever deployed in battle”.
(1 Goverment) Women also worked in factories building weapons, ammunition and all sorts of other things that contributed to the war effort. The women in WW2 showed the world they are more than just housewives. Supplies critical to the war movement are what wins wars. If you can keep troops well suppied with ammunition, food and clothed this is critical to a successful war campaign. Women ensured these supplies never stopped.
However, with the outbreak of war and men being drafted into the military, women were called upon to fill the void in the workforce. Women took up jobs that were traditionally seen as "male" jobs, such as factory work and construction. This newfound sense of independence and self-sufficiency fundamentally changed the social landscape in America. Women felt empowered and capable of contributing to society in a meaningful way. As a result, after the war, women continued to work and contribute to the workforce, paving the way for advances in women's rights and the feminist movement.
Before the war, during the war, and after the war, diversity towards African Americans hadn't changed at all. Laws were passed that tried to persuade whites to treat blacks with respect. However, whites resisted. After researching, I want to learn why whites didn't respect them, what happened during the war, what was an African American's role, and how did they execute?
Even after the war, in the 1950’s, African Americans continued to protest for their civil rights. Many followed leaders like MLK to practice civil disobedience against de jure segregation. They practiced many different ways of peaceful protest, like sit-ins, kneel-ins, walk-ins, and more. This circles back to the cycle of segregation faced by the African Americans, and how they protested until they got what they deserved, equality. During World War II, Japanese Americans were segregated and discriminated against throughout America.
The Effect of Women on the Outcome of World War Two World War II effected women tremendously by taking them out of their comfort zones and chucking them into the work force and pushing them to do most of the work men normally would have been doing. The war also effected women by providing opportunities for them to serve in non-traditional roles; in fact, some of them enlisted into the military to serve the United States. The way the war effected women is that they had to take care of family in addition to performing work normally done by men. It was difficult to find people to watch after kids which made life during this time very difficult. After the end of World War II society in general was effected considering the baby boom.
The role of women impacted the outcome of WWII on and off the battlefield. Previous to WWII women generally did not work. It was not socially acceptable. World War II started in 1939 and lasted six years. There were two sides the Allies and the Axis powers.
During World War I, individuals own beliefs and point of views changed drastically, especially with anyone involved in the The Great War. The two groups who faced these rash judgments the most were the African Americans and German Americans. Their everyday lives were now being filled with discrimination because of how they were classified in society. They both had difficult times acquiring jobs during the time period, and each of them were the recipients of harmful acts of hate. Although, the African Americans had to endure the Grandfather Clause and the Jim Crow laws, while the German Americans had to deal with the sinking of the Lusitania and the Anti German Sentiment.
During World War II several acts of racism occurred alongside with the war. Needless to say, African Americans were not the only ones at fault, but Japanese Americans as well. Although African Americans played a significant role in World War II, they faced racial discrimination. As soldiers, they didn’t get acknowledged as being fit for combat and were often not even allowed on the front lines. More than 2.5 million African Americans registered but only 1 million served.
African American men and women who volunteered were discriminated against and segregated. 167,00 African American soldiers served as cooks, mess attendants, and gun crews. (Historylover20193, and Ron Nash. 2012) People called this war “ White man's war” because in photographs African American were not recognized for what they did on the front lines and in the camps. African American heroism was not recognized in books, shows, or newspapers unless they were blacked owned which was very rare .
Before WWI, women were restricted to traditionally feminine jobs. Their work was considered inferior and they were paid less than men. However, once WWI began, women were able to integrate themselves into a variety of different workforces. Since most men were off to serve in the military and navy, women that stayed behind replaced their positions in factories and other industries. Other women worked closely with the military as nurses or even soldiers.
During World War II the relations of African Americans and whites were still segregated. For African Americans during World War II faced great discrimination in the workplace. If the African Americans did get a job they were usually not good ones. The jobs were also usually less in pay than a white person and the job required more profound labor. They knew not to ask for a better position or better wages because they would not get it.
