The Impact of World War 2 on African American Employment

1. The Impact of World War 2 on African American Employment Presented By: Annie, Crystal, Gina, Sammie, & Sheriden

2. Employment BEFORE WW2 • In 1940, there were 12.9 million African American in the US. • About 5.4 million out of 12.9 million African American were employed before world war 2. • 3.5 million of employed African American were male. • Most jobs were low pay. • African Americans were “Last hired, First Fired” • Most of discrimination from work came from the workers, not the owner of the company.

3. Employment DURING WW2 • Over 2.5 million African Americans registered for the draft and to volunteer in the war • By 1944, 145,000 African Americans joined the US Army Air Force • 99th Tuskegee Airmen (African American group) also joined Air Force and became legendary for heroic actions in the war • 12,000 African American men were rewarded for great effort, volunteering, and heroism • For great behavior, Roosevelt demanded more African American recruiters for the Air Force • Even though many were recruited, African Americans didn’t even make up more than 5% of the entire Navy.

4. March On Washington Facts/Notes: Who: A. Philip Randolph leader of African American activists and trade unionists. President Roosevelt was also involved. What: Randolph wanted direct action because he didn’t want to follow what the NAACP was doing (Political Route). Which led to the March on Washington Movement. When: 1941 - 1947 Why: His slogan was “ We loyal Americans demand the work and fight for our country.” The slogan shows how the march was made to make the government bring an end to discrimination in the workplace, and to end racism in general.

5. March on Washington Cont’d Other Details: • Roosevelt was afraid that it would embarrass US democracy in front of the world if the March was successful. • Government went to talk to Randolph and had a compromise: Randolph called off March while Roosevelt set up Fair Employment Practices Commision (FEPC) to prevent discrimination in jobs. • Randolph continued to encourage African Americans to go and protest to make sure discrimination is stopped in the public’s view.

6. Fair Employment Practices Commission (FEPC) • Fair Employment Practices Commission (FEPC) investigate complaints and take action against employment discrimination • Most African-Americans received menial jobs (uninteresting/unskilled jobs) • By 1943, the FEPC became aware of the wide spread discrimination within companies and so Roosevelt issued Executive Order 9346, which gave commissioners greater power • Because of that, 8% of Africans-American were accounted for defence industry jobs compare to before the war which was only 3% • FEPC died in 1946

7. Employment AFTER WW2 • After World War 2, many African Americans migrated North to the urban cities to find industrialized jobs • The Fair Employment Practices Commission’s work set the number of jobs by African Americans to the most it’s ever been • Jobs increased three times as many before the war • Example: 3% to 8% in Defence Industry & 200,000 AA people were employed by Gov’t • Wages increased, and new opportunities were available to both men and women • Trade Unions fought for improved working conditions, thus more African American membership increased

8. BIBLIOGRAPHY March on Washington: http://www.blackpast.org/aah/march-washington-movement-1941-1947 After WW2: http://learn.uakron.edu/beyond/ww2_civilRights.htm Fair employment practices commission: http://www.gwu.edu/~erpapers/teachinger/glossary/fepc.cfm African Americans During WW2: http://www.gilderlehrman.org/history-by-era/world-war-ii/essays/patriotism-crosses-color-line-african-americans-world-war-ii The Struggle for Democracy http://slic.njstatelib.org/new_jersey_information/digital_collections/unit_12_world_war_ii_the_struggle_for_democracy_at_home_