African Americans: What Did They Gain In World War II?
Veterans
Women
African Americans
What did they gain in World War II?
The government passed the GI Bill, providing help to veterans with education and home purchases.
Women in WWII gained experience in the work field, with careers in manufacturing war materials, running businesses, and other careers traditionally held for men.
Many African Americans gained the confidence to assert their rights as U.S. citizens, and fight back against segregation.
What challenges did they face at the end of the war?
Before the GI Bill and similar laws were passed, veterans faced unemployment, lack of education and health benefits, and job training
Millions of women were pushed out of their jobs when the servicemen returned. Many were pressured to return to
the traditional life for a woman at the time - stay at home, aid the husband, and raise the kids.
When African American servicemen came back from war, they faced segregation - different schools, different bathrooms, different entrances to building, all in order to separate them from white citizens
What progress did they make in the postwar period?
In the postwar period, veterans made excellent progress, especially with the help of the GI Bill. They could afford homes for themselves and their families, as well as have proper education and job training, and health benefits.
Women gained respect in the eyes of America, showing off their true usefulness, and helped gain equal rights for the sexes.
African Americans greatly progressed in the postwar period. Their efforts against segregation gained much attention. Their music greatly influenced the American society, especially appealing to white citizens, which helped African Americans gain respect.
What struggles might this group have in the decades to come?
While veterans today do not usually have trouble, some still have issues with homelessness and finances. They may be dealing with these troubles for many more decades.
Today, many women have stable careers, though there is still pressure to get married and have children. Some people still do not agree with women in the workforce, and prefer them to stay at home and have children. While there are still some minor issues with the law regarding the sexes, they should be fixed in the years to come.
Racism is still among us today, and will likely be a problem for decades to come, but hopefully the severity of the racism will edge through the years.
Women
African Americans
What did they gain in World War II?
The government passed the GI Bill, providing help to veterans with education and home purchases.
Women in WWII gained experience in the work field, with careers in manufacturing war materials, running businesses, and other careers traditionally held for men.
Many African Americans gained the confidence to assert their rights as U.S. citizens, and fight back against segregation.
What challenges did they face at the end of the war?
Before the GI Bill and similar laws were passed, veterans faced unemployment, lack of education and health benefits, and job training
Millions of women were pushed out of their jobs when the servicemen returned. Many were pressured to return to
the traditional life for a woman at the time - stay at home, aid the husband, and raise the kids.
When African American servicemen came back from war, they faced segregation - different schools, different bathrooms, different entrances to building, all in order to separate them from white citizens
What progress did they make in the postwar period?
In the postwar period, veterans made excellent progress, especially with the help of the GI Bill. They could afford homes for themselves and their families, as well as have proper education and job training, and health benefits.
Women gained respect in the eyes of America, showing off their true usefulness, and helped gain equal rights for the sexes.
African Americans greatly progressed in the postwar period. Their efforts against segregation gained much attention. Their music greatly influenced the American society, especially appealing to white citizens, which helped African Americans gain respect.
What struggles might this group have in the decades to come?
While veterans today do not usually have trouble, some still have issues with homelessness and finances. They may be dealing with these troubles for many more decades.
Today, many women have stable careers, though there is still pressure to get married and have children. Some people still do not agree with women in the workforce, and prefer them to stay at home and have children. While there are still some minor issues with the law regarding the sexes, they should be fixed in the years to come.
Racism is still among us today, and will likely be a problem for decades to come, but hopefully the severity of the racism will edge through the years.