Why was segregation challenged

after 1945?
Learning Objectives:
• To understand how WW2 affected the
struggle for civil rights.
• To identify the different conditions for
African Americans in the north and
south in 1945
• To judge how far black Americans
shared in the economic boom that
followed WW2.
Starter: Who is he?
How is he depicted?
How far does this recruitment poster
suggest equality?
A navy recruitment poster from 1942
This suggests
that his
achievements Pearl harbour attacks
and 1941
commitment
are recognised.

The use of the Navy Cross

mans name indicates
makes it bravery.
personal.

A Navy Recruitment poster from 1942

 Freedoms of the USA
Roosevelt said that everyone was fighting so that
everyone could enjoy four basic freedoms.

What do you think these freedoms were?

Would they have been enjoyed by everyone? Base this

on what you have learnt from the source analysis
• Freedom of speech
• Freedom of religion
• Freedom from want
• Freedom from fear
 What effect do you
think WWII had on the
hearts and minds of
African Americans?

Hints:
What was WW2
about? How could
this change
perspectives?

Task: Discuss with a

partner and then write
an answer in your
exercise books.
 Social, Economic and political impacts
Social – to do with peoples day to day lives, their access to leisure facilities etc.
Economic – to do with money. How do wages change? etc.
Political – what changes are made by the government? Are any new laws passed?

• In the south $4.5 billion was spent on creating factories, however at first
black people were unable to get jobs
• The war time boom also hit the north, it increased migration. By 1950 Task:
nearly a 3rd of black Americans lived in the north. Organise
• By the end of the war 48% of the black population was urban, jobs in the
city paid more.
the
• Political power of northern blacks was growing, American presidents began statements
appointing African Americans to positions in the federal government. into the
• Even in the north black industrial workers were unlikely to be paid the same
as white workers.
correct
• Unemployment amongst African Americans fell. part of
• At the end of the war segregation remained in the southern states. your Venn
• 40% of housing available to black people in DC was found to be sub-
standard, compared to only 12% for white people.
diagram.
• There was no segregation in the north, it was more likely for people to mix.
Extension: colour code the statements based on positives and negatives.
 Plenary
How would you judge the impact of WW2 on
the lives of African Americans?

No positive Very positive

impact – life was impact for all
not different to African
before WW2 American’s – A
lot has changed.

Challenge:
What factors made a difference on how the lives of
African Americans? Did all of them experience the
same changes?