Civil Rights and WWIILesson starter:Write down five facts about World War Two.

Today we will…

• Understand why World War Two marked a turning point in the Civil Rights Movement

• During WWI, the US army was still segregated and African Americans had mainly support roles

• African Americans again signed up for WWII when US joined in 1941

• This time they talked about the ‘Double V’ campaign – Double Victory

• Victory against Hitler in Europe

• Victory for Civil Rights at home

During the war…

• Civil Rights leader Philip Randolph threatened a protest march in Washington unless discrimination was ended

• There were also riots in Northern cities like New York

• Many white and black Americans got behind the ‘Double V’ campaign Philip Randolph

US President, Franklin D Roosevelt (FDR)

I am leading my country in a war against fascism,

to fight for European peoples’ freedom. African

Americans want to protest for their freedom in the USA. This will be

hugely embarrassing for me!

Executive Order 8802• FDR gave in and gave

this order which1. Ended all

segregation/discrimination in the armed forces

2. Did the same for all government jobs

3. Government would support an end to discrimination in all American jobs

Why was WWII a turning point in the Civil Rights Movement?

1. Many Black soldiers had served their country in two world wars and were military heroes

2. America was fighting for freedom in Europe when America was an unjust country itself

3. US soldiers overseas saw countries which were not segregated and felt they deserved the same

4. The Double V campaign pushed for equality and was supported by many

5. FDR had made a law which ended discrimination in the armed forces (Executive Order 8802)

6. Many people believed Black Americans deserved a reward for their war effort (in the army and at home)

Today we will…

• Understand why World War Two marked a turning point in the Civil Rights Movement