C. African AmericansOver 2.5 million black men registered for the draft and one million served as draftees or volunteers. Most black men were in the Army and were relegated (sent) to segregated combat support groups. By 1944, 145,000 black men served in the US Army Air Force, including the 99th Fighter Squadron, popularly known as the Tuskegee Airmen. The Tuskegee Airmen became legendary for their heroic feats during the war and received a Distinguished Unit Citation, several silver stars, 150 distinguished flying crosses, fourteen bronze stars, and 744 air medals. Black women also came to the defense of the nation by enlisting in the Women’s Auxiliary Army Corps (WAAC). Like black men in the Armed Forces, they were placed in segregated units, lived in segregated housing, ate at segregated tables in the mess hall, and received segregated training. Although African Americans supported their government during WWII, they were not silent about racism in America. Some even noted the similarities between the way Jews were treated in Germany and the way blacks were treated in America. African Americans who served in Europe experienced equal treatment in Europe that inspired a push for Civil Rights in America. They called for “Double V”: Victory for democracy at home, Victory for democracy Abroad. The Double V campaign helped provide a voice to Americans who wanted to protest racial discrimination and contribute to the war effort. Many achievements were made in Civil Rights: FDR’s Executive Order 8802 banned employment discrimination in defense industry and government, and in 1948, President Harry Truman, FDR’s successor, de-segregated the armed forces.QUESTION 410 pointsHow were Black Americans impacted by WWII? What connections can you make to WWI?

During WWII, over 2.5 million Black Americans registered for the draft, with one million serving as draftees or volunteers. Most of these men were in the Army and were relegated to segregated combat support groups. By 1944, 145,000 Black men served in the US Army Air Force, including the 99th Fighter Squadron, also known as the Tuskegee Airmen. This group became legendary for their heroic feats during the war, earning numerous awards and recognitions.

Black women also contributed to the war effort by enlisting in the Women’s Auxiliary Army Corps (WAAC). However, like Black men, they were placed in segregated units and faced racial segregation in housing, dining, and training.

Despite supporting their government during WWII, African Americans did not remain silent about racism in America. Some even drew parallels between the treatment of Jews in Germany and the treatment of Blacks in America. The experience of equal treatment in Europe for African Americans who served there inspired a push for Civil Rights in America. This led to the "Double V" campaign, which called for victory for democracy at home and abroad.

The Double V campaign provided a voice for Americans who wanted to protest racial discrimination and contribute to the war effort. This period saw significant achievements in Civil Rights, such as FDR’s Executive Order 8802, which banned employment discrimination in the defense industry and government. In 1948, President Harry Truman, FDR’s successor, desegregated the armed forces.

In comparison to WWI, WWII had a more profound impact on the Civil Rights movement. While WWI laid the groundwork for the Great Migration and the initial push for equal rights, WWII saw more direct action and significant legislative changes. The experiences of Black Americans during WWII, both at home and abroad, fueled the Civil Rights movement and led to significant changes in American society.