African American History - Essay Example

African American History Order No. 212692 No: of pages: 2 Premium 6530 Question World War II was one of the most expensive global conflicts in the history of the world in terms of both life and money. During this war millions of African Americans though persecuted through segregation and discrimination served faithfully in the US military in their struggle against Italy, Japan and Germany. After World War I, everyone, particularly the African Americans hoped to find equality and harmony in the country.

They nurtured great expectations due to their excellent work and war records they possessed. There were thousand of Black Americans serving in the war in different capacities such as Black road builders, Black trucking Companies, Black dentists, Black doctors, Black nurses and technicians who worked very hard in their own capacities. When the war ended, the hope of freedom was what each one of them nurtured in their hearts. It was President Harry. S. Truman, who tried to make their dream come true by bringing the African Americans much closer to their goal of freedom and equality.

He took a giant step in signing the executive Order 9981 which emphatically stated, "there shall be equality of treatment and opportunity for all persons in the Armed Services without regard to race, color, religion, or national origin." Question 2 After the founding of the United Nations, a formal ban on racial discrimination set the stage for the Civil Rights Movement. This paved the way for political opportunities and served to expose racism in America on the international scene. It was Du Bois and others who helped to frame a 150 page petition detailing racial discrimination in America that stated “Peoples of the World,” we American Negroes appeal to you; our treatment in America is not merely an internal question of the United States.

It is a basic problem of humanity.” In 1928, during the sixth World Congress involving the COMINTERN, Kelly stated that they “insisted that Blacks concentrated in the black belt counties of the Deep South, constituted an oppressed nation.” (Robin D. G. Kelley) They were given no voting rights and suffered from oppression, exploitation, violence, segregation and racial discrimination. This became popularly known as the “Jim Crow” system and took place from the 1950’s to the 1960’s.

Some of the leaders of the Civil Rights Movement were Martin Luther King Jr., W.E. Du Bois, Malcolm X and Rosa Parks. All these leaders were key figures in fighting and bringing about a radical change not only on civil rights but also dealt with the fundamentals of gaining freedom, dignity, respect and equality in the socio – economic sphere. Question 3 After the 1960’s, the Civil Rights Movement picked up heat. Student activists from the non – violent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) took pat in Freedom Rides.

These rides proved to be fatal as many were beaten and some also lost their lives. In 1963 the Birmingham campaign was undertaken to desegregate the downtown merchants. The supporters used non – violent tactics to attract more voters. It was considered as unconstitutional and mass arrests were conducted of which King was one. On August 28th, 1963 a march to the Lincoln Memorial was proposed. This march was a collaboration of all the civil rights organizations and many other supporting organizations.

The primary goals of the march was the right to vote, meaningful civil rights laws, fair employment, proper housing, a workable federal works program and a decent education. All these are some of the tactics and goals used during the Civil War. References: Robin D. G. Kelly, Hammer and Hoe: Alabama Communists During the Great Depression (Chapel Hill: University of North Carolina Press 1990) p. 23. & pg. 13. African Americans in World War II www.school.familyeducation.com/african-american-history/world-war-2/47076.

html See W. E. B. Du Bois, “A Summary of this Petition,” box 637, series A, part II, NAACP Records; and statements by Walter White, Du Bois, and UN representative John Humphrey at the presentation of the NAACP petition, Oct. 23, 1947, ibid.