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Movement for India’s Independence

• Direct Action and Economic Aspects of Racial Injustice

  • Movement emphasized direct action similar to the March on Washington.

  • Focused on the economic impacts of racial injustice, unlike purely political movements.

  • Interracial participation distinguished it, such as sit-ins in 1943 which led to desegregation in theaters and restaurants in cities like Detroit, Denver, and Chicago.

• Response from White Communities

  • Many white individuals reacted apprehensively to protests, seeking to maintain racial privileges.

  • Black dissatisfaction was often dismissed as outside agitation.

New Deal Coalition and Racial Tension in the South

• Elected Officials' Influence

  • Southern officials warned Roosevelt against ignoring their views, threatening the Democratic Party's survival in the South.

• Impact of War on African Americans

  • WWII contributed to black employment; traditional barriers fell, allowing for a relaxed hiring process.

  • Increase in skilled black workers; hundreds of thousands left agriculture for industrial jobs.

  • Government actions helped:

    • Higher classifications for black federal employees.

    • Banning racial wage differentials.

    • Refusal to certify discriminatory unions for collective bargaining.

Changes in the Armed Forces

• Initial Segregation

  • Military openly expressed disdain for black recruits; exclusion from Marines and Air Force.

  • Segregation remained in the army despite gradual integration of training camps.

  • Shift in policy occurred due to manpower waste; increasing numbers of black soldiers led to more integrated combat units.

• Escalating Racial Violence

  • As African American populations grew, racial tensions escalated, leading to violence in cities such as Detroit and Harlem.

  • Incidents often fueled by rumors and resulted in numerous deaths, particularly among blacks.

Political Dynamics and World War II

• Support from Various Ethnic Groups

  • Democrats faced dissatisfaction from ethnic groups regarding the war.

  • FDR reassured German and Italian Americans, promoting civil liberties and tolerance.

• Conscientious Objectors

  • Given alternative non-combat duties, including work on infrastructure and medical research.

  • Imprisonment for those whose objections were political rather than religious.

• Japanese American Internment

  • 120,000 Japanese Americans forcibly relocated due to racial prejudice despite being mostly citizens.

  • Supreme Court upheld military curfews and interment policies through landmark cases.

Labor and Economic Changes

• Labor Gains During War

  • Workers saw significant wage increases amidst the war effort.

  • Strikes increased; the government imposed regulations under the War Labor Disputes Act.

• Democratic Campaigns and Election Strategies

  • Union support crucial; organizations mobilized for Roosevelt’s election through voter registration and campaign efforts.

  • Roosevelt focused on economic themes in his campaign, contrasting with Republicans.

End of WWII and Its Aftermath

• Truman’s Decision and Atomic Bombing

  • Truman authorized the atomic bombings of Hiroshima (August 6) and Nagasaki (August 9) after Japan refused surrender.

  • Resulted in nearly 250,000 deaths and significant long-term health effects from radiation.

• Government Expansion and Economic Growth

  • War led to growth in federal government size and powers, increased military spending.

  • Changes influenced political authority, with more decisions made by the executive branch.

• Transformation in Society and Economy

  • Post-war, the economy shifted towards urban and technological advancements.

  • Agricultural productivity increased amid decreased rural population due to urban migration.

  • Wartime research led to medical advancements and significant societal migration patterns, reshaping economic landscapes.