US History through the African American Experience

World War II:  Was there a Double V Victory?

Did Experiences in World War II Bring Equality

to African American Men and Women?

World War II syllabus

From 1941 to 1945, political, economic, geographic, and social changes transformed African American life.  African Americans fought for a Double V victory – victory in the war, and victory over segregation here at home.  The main places blacks worked to end segregation during the war were:

1. Jobs
2. Migration for opportunity to north and west
3. Civil rights groups – NAACP, Urban League, CORE
4. Race riots – Detroit and Harlem, 1943
5. The military – quota of 9%, 80% serve

Your evaluation in this unit will include

• A standard essay answering the question

3/12  Introduction to World War II and the Double V Victory

Homework:  Read Double V Victory Article on back of syllabus– How did the newspaper define a double V Victory?  What newspaper printed the article?  What was the response to their article?

3/13  Fill in war chart; Read 403 to 6 – note 5 examples which relate the information to Double V Victory

3/14 Fill in war chart; Read March on Washington article – underline 3 key points and justify your choice.

3/15 Watch Tuskegee Airmen; Read 406-9 – note 5 examples which relate the information to Double V Victory

3/16 Watch Tuskegee Airmen; Read 409-14 – note 5 examples which relate the information to Double V Victory

3/19 Watch Tuskegee Airmen; Read article on Tuskegee Airmen

3/22 Write essay on Double V Victory

Articles

Reading #1

The Pittsburgh Courier’s Double ‘V’ for a double victory campaign gets country-wide support

Feb. 14, 1942—Last week, without any public announcement or fanfare, the editors of The Courier introduced its war slogan—a double “V” for a double victory to colored America. We did this advisedly because we wanted to test the response and popularity of such a slogan with our readers. The response has been overwhelming. Our office has been inundated with hundreds of telegrams and letters of congratulations, proving that without any explanation, this slogan represents the true battle cry of colored America.

This week we are grateful to acknowledge this voluntary response and offer the following explanation: Americans all, are involved in a gigantic war effort to assure victory for the cause of freedom—the four freedoms that have been so nobly expressed by President Roosevelt and Prime Minister Churchill. We, as colored Americans are determined to protect our country, our form of government and the freedoms which we cherish for ourselves and the rest of the world, therefore we have adopted the Double “V” war cry—victory over our enemies at home and victory over our enemies on the battlefields abroad. Thus in our fight for freedom we wage a two-pronged attack against our enslavers at home and those abroad who will enslave us. WE HAVE A STAKE IN THIS FIGHT…WE ARE AMERICANS, TOO!

Reading #2

A. Philip Randolph, November 1942

We must develop huge demonstrations because the world is used to big dramatic affairs.  They think in terms of hundreds of thousands and millions and billions. Millions of Germans and Russians clash on the Eastern front. Billions of dollars are appropriated at the twinkling of an eye.  Nothing little counts.

Besides, the unusual attracts.  We must develop a series marches of Negroes at a given time in a hundred or more cities throughout the country, or stage a big march of a hundred thousand Negroes on Washington to put our cause into the main stream of public opinion and focus the attention of world interests.  This is why India is in the news.

Therefore, our program is in part as follows:

1. A national conference for, the integration and expression of the integration and expression of the collective mind and will of the Negro masses.

2. The mobilization and proclamation of a nation-wide series of mass marches on the City Halls and City Councils to awaken the Negro masses and center attention upon the grievances and goals of the Negro people and to serve as training and discipline for the Negro masses for the more strenuous struggle of a March on Washington, if, as and when an affirmative decision is made thereon by the Negro masses of the country through our national conference.

3. A march on Washington as evidence to white America that black America is on a march for its rights and means business.

4. The picketing of the White House following the March on Washington and maintain the said picket line until the country and the world recognize the Negro has come of age and will sacrifice his all to counted as men, free men.

This program is drastic and exacting. It will test  our best mettle and stamina and courage. Let me warn you that in these times of storm and stress, this program will be opposed. Our Movement therefore must be well-knit together. It must have moral and spiritual vision, understanding, and wisdom.

PROGRAM OF THE MARCH ON WASHINGTON MOVEMENT

1.      We demand, in the interest of national unity, the abrogation of every law which makes a distinction in treatment between citizens based on religion, creed, color, or national origin. This means an end to Jim Crow in education, in housing, in transportation and in every other social, economic, and political privilege.  Especially, we demand, in the capital of the nation, an end to all segregation in public places and in public institutions.

2.      We demand legislation to enforce the Fifth and Fourteenth Amendments guaranteeing that no person shall be deprived of life, liberty or property without due process of law, so that the full weight of the national government may be used for the protection of life and thereby may end the disgrace of lynching.

3.      We demand the enforcement of the Fourteenth and Fifteenth Amendments and the enactment of the Pepper Poll Tax bill so that all barriers in the exercise of suffrage are eliminated.

4.      We demand the abolition of segregation and discrimination in the army, navy, marine corps, air corps, and all other branches of national defense.

5.      We demand an end to discrimination in jobs and job training. Further, we demand that the F.E.P.C. be made a permanent administrative agency of the U.S. Government and that it be given power to enforce its decisions based on its findings.

6.      We demand that federal funds be withheld from any agency which practices discrimination in the use of such funds.

7.      We demand colored and minority group representation on all administrative agencies so that these groups may have recognition of their democratic right to participate in formulating policies.

8.      We demand representation for the colored and minority racial groups on all missions, political and technical, which will be sent to the peace conference so that the interests of all people everywhere may be fully recognized and justly provided for in the post-war settlement.

From the Survey Graphic vol. 31 (November 1942), pp 488-89.