AboutTom Expertise While it is a huge topic, I am well-versed in World War II generally. There is a huge wealth of information available on the internet, HOWEVER, one has to know the trash from the gems. Many sites which are not obviously credible (govt, university, and museum sites, for ex.), provide erroneous information (intentionally or otherwise).
Experience BA in history, and been reading and studying WW2 as my 'hobby' for 30 years. Regular contributor to several online forums in military history, WW2, and related areas and topics.
Organizations None relevant to this topic.
Education/Credentials BA, History (Secondary Education), with minor in Geography
US Army Engineer Officer (Officer Basic and Advanced Courses)
Expert: Tom Date: 2/14/2007 Subject: Minorites after the war
Question "After World War II, minorities that had been ignored or forgotten began to be noticed. Describe how each group achieved recognition. What factor, person or institution was instrumental in the change in status for each minority group? Why did these events happen in the post-World War II era and not earlier, say during the Progressive period?"
Answer While this is a homework question (Black History month and all), and I've been swamped at work so delayed in replying, let me just say this:
First off, this is a potentially huge question, worthy of a book to go over.
Secondly, the 'empowerment' of minorities - particularly blacks - was a long, slow and painful process from at least WW1 (not 2) and on. In WW1, blacks served in the military, moved north to work in war factories, and showed that they were equals with whites (e.g., patriotic, fighting ability, participation in organized labor and more). But those gains were slight, and often resisted violently (e.g., there were a number of awful race riots in the early 1920s, one of which is depicted in Rosewood (movie) not many years back).
When WW2 came about, minorities were called upon to do their part for America - blacks, immigrants, Japanese. You will recall the Japanese-Americans were interned (regardless if they were citizens or not) from coastal states to the interior. Despite that, the 442nd Regimental Combat Team and the 100th Battalion were formed with young men, mostly from those camps - and the 442nd became the most decorated unit in US Army history (fought in Europe against Germans).
Blacks joined the military (though still segregated), as did others such as Latinos, other immigrants, etc. They went around the globe to do their duty, as well as working in factories, farms, shipyards at home. This earned them a lot of recognition across America. In 1948, Truman desegregated the US military by executive order. WW2 had a lot to do with that order, including the obvious patriotism of minorities.
Still, a huge topic. Racism in America was very entrenched, making the movement for equality a long-fought movement for all non-whites, and even for women!
