What effect did the war have on race relations in america?

Answer 1

One interesting aspect of the war was it's effect on Afro American troops stationed in GB. While the US Military was segregated and racist, the Brit public was generally easy going and relatively unprejudiced. Many coloured US troops were billeted with English families, for these young men, particulally for those from the south, it must have been quiet a culture shock. Also to their surprise most coloured troops were not only tolerated but actually liked, especially amongs the Brit female poulation, who had been somewhat starved of male company for 2 years. Also the coloured troops could dance, had jazz and style and money. So there poularity was pretty well guranteed. This was not very well received by the US military. It was taken for granted that any white girl impregnated by a black soldier had been raped. This ruling was received with indignation and Horror by Brits in general, as in many cases marriege had already been discussed. So US rules and social regulations had to be relaxed. It is hard to know what effect these experiences had on young coloured men, but on returning to America, particularly the segregated south, it must have seemed really weird. And what effect did this have on galvanising the desegregationist movement? Well I'd like to know.

Answer 2

First of all, at the start of World War II, black and white troops still were not integrated. During World War II, FDR signed a bill integrating the troops. In addition, after the outbreak of war with Japan, President Roosevelt signed an executive order that allowed Japanese-Americans to be interred in internment camps based solely upon their race. This was mainly due to public opinion. Despite this, many Japanese-Americans still joined the military and fought valiantly.