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American History

As you read chapter 24 keep in mind what are some of the social, economic and political conflicts that are happening during World War II.

How did President Roosevelt deal with the multiple racial issues that were taking place before and during World War II?

Here’s a breakdown of how President Roosevelt dealt with racial issues during a time of war:

Context: Pervasive Racism

Racial prejudice and segregation were deeply ingrained in American society, especially in the South.
African Americans faced discrimination in housing, employment, education, and voting rights.

Roosevelt’s Approach:

Pragmatic Balancing Act: Roosevelt prioritized national unity during wartime. He needed support from both the North and the South for the war effort. He couldn’t afford to alienate Southern Democrats (who often held powerful positions in Congress) by pushing for major civil rights reforms.

New Deal Programs:While not explicitly focused on race, some New Deal programs offered some economic opportunities for African Americans. Programs like Social Security and the Civilian Conservation Corps provided some financial assistance and jobs during the Depression.
Eleanor Roosevelt:First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt was a vocal advocate for racial equality. She used her platform to speak out against discrimination and promote civil rights causes. However, her husband often had to distance himself from her activism to maintain political support.
Executive Order 8802:A significant step came in 1941. Facing pressure from labor leader A. Philip Randolph and the threat of a march on Washington, Roosevelt signed Executive Order 8802. This order prohibited discrimination in the defense industry based on race, creed, color, or national origin. It established the Fair Employment Practices Committee (FEPC) to investigate complaints. While the FEPC lacked strong enforcement power, it was a symbolic victory and opened up some employment opportunities for African Americans.

Limited Progress:

Despite these efforts, progress on racial equality during World War II was slow and uneven. Segregation remained the norm in the military for most of the war. Racial violence against African Americans continued, both in the South and in some Northern cities.

Overall:

Roosevelt’s approach can be seen as a pragmatic attempt to navigate a complex situation. He did not dismantle segregation, but his actions did create some opportunities and plant seeds for future advancements in civil rights.

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