30 Questions
What organization's pressure led President Roosevelt to pledge that African Americans would be enlisted according to their percentage in the population?
NAACP
In what year did the United States Armed Forces become officially desegregated?
1948
How many African Americans were serving in the military in 1941?
fewer than 4,000
What were the primary service duties to which most African Americans were initially assigned during WWII?
supply, maintenance, and transportation
Which famous military operation in World War II included about 1,700 African American troops?
D-Day
What was the nickname acquired by the Tuskegee fighter planes?
Redtails
How many major towns in France, Belgium, and Germany were credited to the all-black 761st Tank Battalion?
30
What was the goal of the 'Double V' campaign established by African American leaders and organizations during the global conflict?
Victory against the enemy overseas and victory against racism at home
According to Stephen Ambrose, what was the lamentable American irony of WWII?
The world’s greatest democracy fought the world’s greatest racist with a segregated army
What was the role of the Red Ball Express in World War II?
Carrying a half million tons of supplies to the advancing First and Third Armies through France
What were the primary service duties to which most African Americans were initially relegated during WWII?
Supply, maintenance, and transportation
What was the percentage of African Americans in the population that President Roosevelt pledged they would be enlisted according to?
10.6%
How many African Americans were serving in the military by 1945?
More than 1.2 million
What was the number of African Americans serving in the military in 1941?
Fewer than 4,000
What was the role of the all-black 761st Tank Battalion during World War II?
They fought their way through France, Belgium, and Germany, capturing 30 major towns.
How did the Tuskegee Airmen contribute to the war effort?
They flew ground support missions, escorted bombers, and flew more than 15,000 sorties.
What was the significance of the 'Redtails' in World War II?
They were the nickname for the Tuskegee fighter planes, known for their escort missions and painted tails.
How did the African American leaders and organizations contribute to the post-War civil rights movement?
They planted important seeds for the movement through their new black consciousness and defiant rejection of unjustifiable racism.
What was the lamentable American irony of WWII according to Stephen Ambrose?
The world's greatest democracy fought the world's greatest racist with a segregated army.
What was the main contribution of the African American troops on D-Day?
They included about 1,700 troops and played a role in protecting troops on the beach from aerial attack.
What challenges did African Americans face in the military during World War II?
Segregation, discrimination, and being relegated to non-combat units
How did the African American population in the military change from 1941 to 1945?
It increased from fewer than 4,000 to over 1.2 million
What impact did the pressure from the NAACP have on African American enlistment during World War II?
It led to President Roosevelt's pledge to enlist African Americans according to their percentage in the population
In what ways were African American women involved in the military during World War II?
They served in the Women's auxiliaries
What was the significance of the 'Red Ball Express' in World War II?
It carried a half million tons of supplies to the advancing First and Third Armies through France.
What was the main contribution of the all-black 761st Tank Battalion during World War II?
They spent 183 days in combat and were credited with capturing 30 major towns in France, Belgium, and Germany.
How did the Tuskegee Airmen contribute to the war effort?
They flew more than 15,000 sorties, providing ground support missions and escorting bombers on missions over Southern Italy.
What was the lamentable American irony of WWII according to Stephen Ambrose?
The world’s greatest democracy fought the world’s greatest racist with a segregated army.
What was the goal of the 'Double V' campaign established by African American leaders and organizations during the global conflict?
It called for victory against the enemy overseas and victory against racism at home.
What was the nickname acquired by the Tuskegee fighter planes?
The 'Redtails'
Study Notes
African Americans in World War II
- The NAACP's pressure led President Roosevelt to pledge that African Americans would be enlisted according to their 10% percentage in the population.
- The United States Armed Forces officially became desegregated in 1948.
- In 1941, approximately 4,000 African Americans were serving in the military.
- Most African Americans were initially assigned to service duties such as construction, transportation, and logistics.
- The Operation Overlord, also known as D-Day, included about 1,700 African American troops.
- The Tuskegee fighter planes acquired the nickname "Redtails".
- The all-black 761st Tank Battalion was credited with liberating major towns in France, Belgium, and Germany, totaling 81 towns.
- The 'Double V' campaign established by African American leaders and organizations aimed to achieve victory over fascism abroad and racism at home.
- According to Stephen Ambrose, the lamentable American irony of WWII was that African Americans fought for democracy and freedom abroad while being denied the same rights at home.
- The Red Ball Express was a military operation that provided supplies to the Allied forces during World War II.
- Most African Americans were initially relegated to service duties such as construction, transportation, and logistics during WWII.
- By 1945, the number of African Americans serving in the military increased to approximately 700,000.
- The all-black 761st Tank Battalion played a crucial role in liberating major towns in France, Belgium, and Germany during World War II.
- The Tuskegee Airmen contributed to the war effort by flying combat missions and escorting bombers.
- The 'Redtails' nickname was significant in World War II as it symbolized the Tuskegee Airmen's bravery and skill.
- African American leaders and organizations contributed to the post-War civil rights movement by using their experiences during WWII to advocate for equal rights.
- African American women were involved in the military during World War II, serving in roles such as nurses, administrative assistants, and in the Women's Army Corps (WAC).
- The pressure from the NAACP had a significant impact on African American enlistment during World War II, leading to increased opportunities and representation.
- African Americans faced challenges such as segregation, discrimination, and limited opportunities in the military during World War II.
- The African American population in the military changed from 1941 to 1945, increasing from 4,000 to 700,000.
Test your knowledge about the experiences of African Americans in World War II, their contributions, and the challenges they faced. Learn about their struggles for civil rights while serving in the United States Armed Forces during the war.
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