Minorities at War Essay

Many peoples lives changed in mixed ways during and after the World War II. The lives of women and minorities such(prenominal) as African Americans and Native Americans, changed drastically for the most part in a positive way. Just like during most state of wars, women found jobs and opportunities. This was mainly because men and husbands went to score in industries and factories in different parts of the country while others went to war as soldiers. With reduction in the male taskforce, young girls and married women had to take up responsibilities and jobs that were traditionally considered to be for men (Mays 17).Unlike the prototypical World War, where women served as secretaries and nurses, in the Second World War they were placed in more experienced jobs such as research, electronics, engineering and mechanics (Mays 17). The Womens Army Corps was created in 1942, which enabled women to participate in combat fields as pilots and other support personnel just now not in verb atim combat. The war served as a major platform for women in society, women started being viewed as useful in various fields and not just as caregivers. The opportunity to take part in jobs that were traditionally considered for men also empowered women psychologically (Mays 17).The take the field for equality for all citizens began after the civil war where President Lincoln freed the slaves. The Select Service effect was passed in 1940, allowing Hispanics, Native-Americans and African-Americans to enroll to all the branches of the army. The war offered opportunities for legion(predicate) African Americans to run for poverty in their rural homes (Reinhardt and Ganzel). Many blacks enlisted in the army trying to escape a long period of tenant farming and Depression in the Midwest and South. The army recruited Negroes but still practiced segregation (Reinhardt and Ganzel).In the chaos of war, especially after Pearl Harbor, the army had to establish together and segregation was b roken. After the war, many blacks opted to remain in towns and do work related to what they did in the army instead of going back to their rural homes (Reinhardt and Ganzel). Movements for fighting for civil rights had been created. The post-war era, was a period of extraordinary struggle by the African Americans against the second caste citizenship that had been accorded to them. They resisted racial discrimination and segregation through countrywide protests, boycotts, rallies and civil disobedience (Reinhardt and Ganzel).Many blacks joined civil rights movements and legal efforts were made to challenge segregation and disparity through courts. These efforts were rewarded with the passing of the Civil Rights Act in 1964 which outlawed racism and segregation. In 1965, the Voting Rights Act was also passed allowing all races to vote. The passing of these acts was a great step in the demise of second class citizenship (Reinhardt and Ganzel). The struggle by the blacks to achieve e quality inspired and influenced other civil rights groups as well such as NativeAmericans and Hispanics.The war as witnessed was a great turning point for both women and minorities in America. They were all empowered by the situations created by the war to improve their status in society and fight for their rights. Work Cited Mays, Dorothy A. Women in early America struggle, survival, and freedom in a new world. Santa Barbara ABC-CLIO Inc. Publishers, 2004. Reinhardt, Claudia and Ganzel, Bill. Civil Rights for Minorities. Wesley maintenance History Farm. 26 August 2010 from http//www. livinghistoryfarm. org/farminginthe40s/life_18. html