WWIIMinorities, Women and

The War at Home

Minority Participation

• African Americans generally served in segregated units and were assigned to non- combat roles. (but demanded to serve in combat roles)

• Tuskegee Airman (first all black pilot group) served in Europe with distinction

• Nisei regiment (all Asian American) earned high military honors

Additional Contributions of Minorities

• Navajo Code Talkers : helped pass codes orally that the Japanese were unable to break

• Mexican American fought in NON-segregated units

• Most minorities suffered high casualties, but won numerous medals for bravery.

Women

• Participated in the workforce to replace men serving in the war. Symbol of women workers was ROSIE THE RIVETER

• Typically women served in noncombat roles (nurses)

The War at Home

•More women and minorities entered the labor force•Citizens volunteered in

support of the war effort.

The War at Home

• African Americans migrated to cities in search of jobs in war plants• African Americans campaigned

for victory in war and equality at home

The War at Home

•The draft (selective service) was used to provide personnel for the military.

The War at Home

• U.S. government and industry worked closely together to make sure soldiers got the resources they needed.

The War at Home

• Rationing was used to maintain supply of essential products for war

• War Bonds and Income Tax were used for financing the war

• Most factories stop producing peacetime productions to wartime productions (cars to tanks)

Media and Communications

• The US government maintained strict censorship of reporting the war. (only was able to report at the beginning of movies)

• Public morale and ad campaigns kept Americans focused on the war.

• The entertainment industry produced movies, plays and shows that boosted morale and patriotic support. (The USO shows) they also portrayed the enemy in stereotypical ways.