Work on the Homefront

• How do you think women and minorities would be affected with the majority of men going off to fight in World War II?

• How does this compare to the first World War?Year Total labor force

(*1000)of which Male (*1000)

of which Female (*1000)

Female share of total (%)

1940 56,100 41,940 14,160 25.2

1941 57,720 43,070 14,650 25.4

1942 60,330 44,200 16,120 26.7

1943 64,780 45,950 18,830 29.1

1944 66,320 46,930 19,390 29.2

1945 66,210 46,910 19,304 29.2

1946 60,520 43,690 16,840 27.8

Work on the Homefront

• Women and minorities saw considerably more work opportunities during World War 2.

• This is very similar to what happened in World War I.

• What sort of opportunities do you think Women and Minorities had in the military?

•

Women & African Americans in WW2

• Women served as telephone operators, secretaries, and nurses in the armed forces.

• Double V Campaign: Victory at Home and Victory Abroad

• What did they mean by Victory at home?

• Tuskegee Airmen = First African American Military Pilots during World War II.

Mexican Americans in World War 2• By World War 2, California had a large

Mexican-American population. The youth in particular war extravagant suits called Zoot Suits.

• Many servicemen and sailors in the military were angry about this extravagant style of dress.

• Why would they be angry? What might it imply?

• What do you think would happen if tensions continued to rise between the 2 groups?

Mexicans in World War 2

• This riot became known as the Zoot Suit riots named after the suits that the young Mexican Americans wore.

• Zoot Suit Riots = Riots between Mexican Americans and Serviceman during World War 2.

Japanese-Americans during World War 2

• After Pearl Harbor, how do you think people felt about Japanese-Americans?

• Is there any corresponding events or groups in modern times?

• What do you think the government would’ve done to protect themselves from potential spies among the Japanese Americans?

• Have there been similar things suggested recently?

Japanese Americans during World War II

• Executive Order 9066 = An Order that deported many Japanese-Americans to Internment Camps during World War II

• Who issues executive orders?

• Do you think anyone would’ve stood up to this?

• What do you think would’ve happened to them?

• What happened during World War I to show what could happen here?

Japanese Americans in World War II

• Schneck vs United States in World War I showed that rights could become limited if there was clear and present danger

• Korematsu vs United States = Korematsu believed that his rights had been violated. In the end the Supreme Court sided with the government saying that Civil Liberties could be limited in times of war.