World Wars Era

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 Introduction
WORLD WAR II begun in 1939 after the Germany invaded Poland with the leadership of Adolf
Hitler. His quest was successful and by late 1941, most of North Africa and Europe was
occupied by European Axis powers and German forces. Adolf Hitler gains faded slowly when
Germany army got defeated by the Allied armies. A lot of challenges accompanied the eruption
of WORLD WAR II (1939-45). Clothing, food, and gas got ratioed. The citizens had to
participate in assisting the country to win the war. The American government needed all the
resources to win the war. Women got jobs in riveting, welding, and electric plants that dealt with
defense. The Japanese who lived in America got their citizenship withdrawn. At the same time,
the cases of racial discrimination were rampant. President Franklin D. Roosevelt understood the
significance of unity, especially when faced with a common enemy. On 25th July 1941, the
president signed EXECUTIVE ORDER 8802. The order was to forbid racial and ethnic
prejudice in the national defense industry. A committee for fair employment also got established.
National unity and active participation of all citizens were significant in the successful defense of
the nation.
EXECUTIVE ORDER 8802 WW2
EXECUTIVE ORDER 8802 ensured strength to the defense industry by building morale and
American national unity. The order demanded non-discriminatory training for defense forces.1.
integration of minority in the forces would strengthen defense. A committee on fair employment
practices established by President Franklin D. Roosevelt was to ensure full implementation of the
EXECUTIVE ORDER. A proper definition of the consequences of discrimination was also
necessary. The order assisted in stopping a protest planned by the March on Washington
Movement. The front was headed by civil rights activists including Walter White and A. Philip
Randolph. Civil rights movements worked for inclusivity for the African Americans. Failure to
enact EXECUTIVE ORDER 8802 would have weakened the fight against the invading
Japanese. Having anti-discrimination movements during the war and excluding potential soldiers
due to race would have weakened and reduced the morale to fight. Protests within Washington
would distract the focus on the pressing matters of war.
Service on the Home Front WW2
The home front included civilian participation in the war facing America. Service on the home
front aimed at boosting the war efforts. The war began after a surprise attack got launched by
Japan at Pearl Harbor.2. The attack was followed by Italy and Germany declaring war on the US.
There was panic as there were worries and fears of more attacks, especially at the beginning of
the war. Later there was acceptance as there was a need for active participation and sacrifice
towards victory. In 1940 an act got passed for military drafting. Military drafts ensured high
number of soldiers. The demand for food was high from the military and civilians. The ‘victory
gardens’ initiative of farming that came up after rationing assisted the civilians in food security.
Communities assisted the military in the production of armaments. The pressures of national
unity changed the labor market as peacetime conflicts regarding labor and race took a positive
1
Roosevelt, Franklin. ”Executive Order 8802: Prohibition of Discrimination in the Defense Industry.” Federal
Register page and date: 6 FR 3109, 27th June 1941

2
Cahill, Rowan. "Home front WW2: Myths and realities." Queensland Journal of Labour History, The 19 (2014): 6-
18.
direction. The Americans had to ensure that the military had adequate resources thus accepted
and embraced rationing. The war required unity to support the military and community’s
survival. People bought war bonds to ensure support for military. The threat was not against
natives or a specific race but the entire country.

Conclusion
The Americans had to work with unity against the attacks. Active participation and national
unity in military and civilians were necessary to win the war. The civilians aided by providing
morale and implementation of war tactics to boost the military. The inclusion of all races in the
defense forces assisted in strengthening the defense. The changes of labor markets experienced
after EXECUTIVE ORDER 8802 ensured unity and full focus on the war. The EXECUTIVE
ORDER served as a unity tool and stopped the Washington movement intended by activists
against discrimination.
 Reference List
Roosevelt, Franklin. “Executive Order 8802: Prohibition of Discrimination in the Defense
Industry." Federal Register page and date: 6 FR 3109, 27th June 1941
Cahill, Rowan. "Home front WW2: Myths and realities." Queensland Journal of Labour
History, The 19 (2014): 6-18.