Unit
Years: 1929-1945
Economy & Society
Freedom & Equal Rights
The Great Depression was devastating for nearly the entire United States, but it hit Black Americans particularly hard. When Democratic politician Franklin Delano Roosevelt (FDR) ran his 1932 presidential campaign calling for a “new deal” for Americans suffering under the Great Depression, northern Black voters were hopeful that this “new deal” would help relieve the high unemployment rates and poverty plaguing Black communities across the U.S. Some of FDR’s New Deal policies did indeed alleviate suffering; FDR mandated that 10% of federal jobs go to Black Americans, and some programs such as the Works Progress Administration (WPA) and the Federal Writers Project sought to document Black stories and sponsor Black artists. Other policies, however, actually harmed Black communities by failing to change Jim Crow laws, lynching laws, or segregation in several industries. Nevertheless, the New Deal set the stage for a broader critique of the racism embedded in American society and law.
In the midst of the Great Depression, World War II broke out. Black Americans supported the war effort, but they also recognized the hypocrisy of fighting for freedom and democracy in Europe while they experienced inequality and racism in the United States. Black Americans used this contradiction to organize a “Double Victory” campaign pushing for both victory over fascism overseas and victory over racial discrimination at home. Sustained protest by the Double Victory campaign led to more inclusion of Black soldiers in the military, more legal protectors for Black American workers, and higher Black participation in labor unions. With their participation in World War II and their increasing inclusion in FDR’s America, Black Americans gained a deep sense of group solidarity and renewed strength and commitment to the promise of equality and social justice.
Demands handed to President Roosevelt by African American leaders on June 18, 1941
PROPOSALS OF THE NEGRO MARCH-ON-WASHINGTON COMMITTEE
TO
PRESIDENT ROOSEVELT
FOR
URGENT CONSIDERATION
POINT 1. An executive order forbidding the awarding of contracts to any concern, Navy
Yard or Army Arsenal which refuses employment to qualified persons on
account of race, creed or color. In the event that such discrimination
continues to exist, the Government shall take over the plant for continuous
operation, by virtue of the authority vested in the President of the United
States, as Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces and as expressed in the
Proclamation declaring a state of unlimited national emergency, May 27, 1941.
POINT 2. An executive order abolishing discrimination and segregation on account of
race, creed or color in all departments of the Federal Government.
POINT 3. An executive order abolishing discrimination in vocational and defense training
courses for workers in National Defense whether financed in whole or in part by
the Federal Government.
POINT 4. An executive order abolishing discrimination in the Army, Navy, Marine, Air
Corps and all other branches of the armed services.
POINT 5. That the President ask the Congress to pass a law forbidding the benefits of the
National Labor Relations Act to Labor Unions denying Negroes membership
through Constitutional provisions, ritualistic practices or otherwise.
POINT 6. That the President issue instructions to the United States Employment Services
that available workers be supplied in order of their registration without regard to
race, creed or color.
Source: “March on Washington Movement: Principles and Structures” folder, A. Phillip Randolph Papers, Library of Congress
Document 5.14.4
Executive Order 9346, establishing a new Committee on Fair Employment Practice, issued by President Roosevelt, May 27, 1943
May 27, 1943
In order to establish a new Committee on Fair Employment Practice, to promote the fullest utilization of all available manpower, and to eliminate discriminatory employment practices, Executive Order No. 8802 of June 25, 1941, as amended by Executive Order No. 8823 of July 18, 1941, is hereby further amended to read as follows:
Whereas the successful prosecution of the war demands the maximum employment of all available workers regardless of race, creed, color, or national origin; and
Whereas it is the policy of the United States to encourage full participation in the war effort by all persons in the United States regardless of race, creed, color, or national origin, in the firm belief that the democratic way of life within the Nation can be defended successfully only with the help and support of all groups within its borders; and
Whereas there is evidence that available and needed workers have been barred from employment in industries engaged in war production solely by reason of their race, creed, color, or national origin, to the detriment of the prosecution of the war, the workers' morale, and national unity:
Now, Therefore, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and statutes, and as President of the United States and Commander in Chief of the Army and Navy, I do hereby reaffirm the policy of the United States that there shall be no discrimination in the employment of any person in war industries or in Government by reason of race, creed, color, or national origin, and I do hereby declare that it is the duty of all employers, including the several Federal departments and agencies, and all labor organizations, in furtherance of this policy and of this Order, to eliminate discrimination in regard to hire, tenure, terms or conditions of employment, or union member-ship because of race, creed, color, or national origin.
It is hereby ordered as follows:
l. All contracting agencies of the Government of the United States shall include in all contracts hereafter negotiated or renegotiated by them a provision obligating the contractor not to discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, creed, color, or national origin and requiring him to include a similar provision in all subcontracts.
2. All departments and agencies of the Government of the United States concerned with vocational and training programs for war production shall take all measures appropriate to assure that such programs are administered without discrimination because of race, creed, color, or national origin.
3. There is hereby established in the Office for Emergency Management of the Executive Office of the President a Committee on Fair Employment Practice, hereinafter referred to as the Committee, which shall consist of a Chairman and not more than six other members to be appointed by the President. The Chairman shall receive such salary as shall be fixed by the President not exceeding $10,000 per year. The other members of the Committee shall receive necessary traveling expenses and, unless their compensation is otherwise prescribed by the President, a per diem allowance not exceeding $25 per day and subsistence expenses on such days as they are actually engaged in the performance of duties pursuant to this Order.
4. The committee shall formulate policies to achieve the purposes of this Order and shall make recommendations to the various Federal departments and agencies and to the President which it deems necessary and proper to make effective the provisions of this Order. The Committee shall also recommend to the Chairman of the War Manpower Commission appropriate measures for bringing about the full utilization and training of manpower in and for war production without discrimination because of race, creed, color, or national origin.
5. The Committee shall receive and investigate complaints of discrimination forbidden by this Order. It may conduct hearings, make findings of fact, and take appropriate steps to obtain elimination of such discrimination.
6. Upon the appointment of the Committee and the designation of its Chairman, the Fair Employment Practice Committee established by Executive Order No. 8802 of June 25, 1941, hereinafter referred to as the old Committee, shall cease to exist. All records and property of the old Committee and such unexpended balances of allocations or other funds available for its use as the Director of the Bureau of the Budget shall determine shall be transferred to the Committee. The Committee shall assume jurisdiction over all complaints and matters pending before the old Committee and shall conduct such investigations and hearings as may be necessary in the performance of its duties under this Order.
7. Within the limits of the funds which may be made available for that purpose, the Chairman shall appoint and fix the compensation of such personnel and make provision for such supplies, facilities, and services as may be necessary to carry out this Order. The Committee may utilize the services and facilities of other Federal departments and agencies and such voluntary and uncompensated services as may from time to time be needed. The Committee may accept the services of State and local authorities and officials, and may perform the functions and duties and exercise the powers conferred upon it by this Order through such officials and agencies and in such manner as it may determine.
8. The Committee shall have the power to promulgate such rules and regulations as may be appropriate or necessary to carry out the provisions of this Order.
9. The provisions of any other pertinent Executive Order inconsistent with this Order are hereby superseded.
Document 5.14.10
Executive Order 9981, desegregating the armed forces, issued by President Truman, July 26, 1948
In December 1946, President Harry Truman created the President’s Committee on Civil Rights to investigate violations and recommend improvements. The committee issued a report To Secure These Rights. It highlighted the lack of progress and recommended specific Congressional actions. However, Congress failed to respond. President Truman bypassed the legislative body. Executive Order 9981 was one of two executive orders he issued July 26, 1948. The other one put in place fair employment practices in civilian agencies of the federal government.
Establishing the President's Committee on Equality of Treatment and Opportunity In the Armed Forces.
WHEREAS it is essential that there be maintained in the armed services of the United States the highest standards of democracy, with equality of treatment and opportunity for all those who serve in our country's defense:
NOW THEREFORE, by virtue of the authority vested in me as President of the United States, by the Constitution and the statutes of the United States, and as Commander in Chief of the armed services, it is hereby ordered as follows:
1. It is hereby declared to be the policy of the President that there shall be equality of treatment and opportunity for all persons in the armed services without regard to race, color, religion or national origin. This policy shall be put into effect as rapidly as possible, having due regard to the time required to effectuate any necessary changes without impairing efficiency or morale.
2. There shall be created in the National Military Establishment an advisory committee to be known as the President's Committee on Equality of Treatment and Opportunity in the Armed Services, which shall be composed of seven members to be designated by the President.
3. The Committee is authorized on behalf of the President to examine the rules, procedures and practices of the Armed Services in order to determine in what respect such rules, procedures and practices may be altered or improved with a view to carrying out the policy of this order. The Committee shall confer and advise the Secretary of Defense, the Secretary of the Army, the Secretary of the Navy, and the Secretary of the Air Force, and shall make such recommendations to the President and to said Secretaries as in the judgment of the Committee will effectuate the policy hereof.
4. All executive departments and agencies of the Federal Government are authorized and directed to cooperate with the Committee in its work, and to furnish the Committee such information or the services of such persons as the Committee may require in the performance of its duties.
5. When requested by the Committee to do so, persons in the armed services or in any of the executive departments and agencies of the Federal Governemt shall testify before the Committee and shall make available for use of the Committee such documents and other information as the Committee may require.
6. The Committee shall continue to exist until such time as the President shall terminate its existence by Executive order.
Harry Truman The White House
July 26, 1948
Document 5.14.13
Demands handed to President Roosevelt by African American leaders on June 18, 1941
PROPOSALS OF THE
NEGRO MARCH-ON-WASHINGTON COMMITTEE
TO
PRESIDENT ROOSEVELT
FOR
URGENT CONSIDERATION
POINT 1. An executive order forbidding the awarding of contracts to any concern, Navy
Yard or Army Arsenal which refuses employment to qualified persons on
account of race, creed or color. In the event that such discrimination
continues to exist, the Government shall take over the plant for continuous
operation, by virtue of the authority vested in the President of the United
States, as Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces and as expressed in the
Proclamation declaring a state of unlimited national emergency, May 27, 1941.
POINT 2. An executive order abolishing discrimination and segregation on account of
race, creed or color in all departments of the Federal Government.
POINT 3. An executive order abolishing discrimination in vocational and defense training
courses for workers in National Defense whether financed in whole or in part by
the Federal Government.
POINT 4. An executive order abolishing discrimination in the Army, Navy, Marine, Air
Corps and all other branches of the armed services.
POINT 5. That the President ask the Congress to pass a law forbidding the benefits of the
National Labor Relations Act to Labor Unions denying Negroes membership
through Constitutional provisions, ritualistic practices or otherwise.
POINT 6. That the President issue instructions to the United States Employment Services
that available workers be supplied in order of their registration without regard to
race, creed or color.
Source: “March on Washington Movement: Principles and Structures” folder, A. Phillip Randolph Papers, Library of Congress
Document 5.14.4
A severe worldwide economic downturn that lasted from 1929 to the late 1930s, marked by widespread unemployment, poverty, bank failures, and reduced economic activity, and considered one of the most devastating periods of economic hardship in modern history.
A mass movement of African Americans from the rural Southern United States to the urban North and Midwest between the early 20th century and the 1970s, driven by factors such as racial segregation, economic opportunities, and the promise of a better life in Northern cities.
Sharecropping was an agricultural system prevalent in the Southern United States after the Civil War, in which landless farmers, often formerly enslaved individuals, rented land and equipment from landowners in exchange for a share of the crops grown.
A system of racial segregation and discrimination that prevailed in the Southern United States from the late 19th century to the mid-20th century, characterized by laws, policies, and practices that enforced racial separation and promoted white supremacy, particularly in public facilities, accommodations, and institutions.
The New Deal was a series of programs, policies, and reforms enacted by President Franklin D. Roosevelt's administration in the United States during the 1930s in response to the Great Depression. It aimed to provide relief, recovery, and reform to the American people and the economy.
The 32nd President of the United States, serving from 1933 to 1945, who led the country through the Great Depression and World War II. Roosevelt's presidency was marked by his New Deal programs, which aimed to combat economic hardship, promote recovery and reform, and expand the role of the federal government in addressing social and economic challenges.
A political ideology characterized by authoritarianism, nationalism, and totalitarianism, often associated with dictatorial rule, suppression of dissent, and the glorification of militarism and state power.
A New Deal program established by President Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1933 that provided employment and conservation work for unemployed young men during the Great Depression, focusing on projects such as reforestation, soil conservation, and park development.
The Works Progress Administration (WPA) was a New Deal program implemented by the United States government during the Great Depression to provide employment opportunities for millions of Americans through public works projects, infrastructure improvements, and cultural initiatives.
A New Deal program established by the Works Progress Administration (WPA) during the Great Depression, which employed writers, historians, and researchers to document and preserve American history, culture, and folklore through various publications and projects.
World War II (WWII) was a global conflict that lasted from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations. It arose from the aftermath of World War I and was characterized by major military campaigns, widespread destruction, genocide, and significant geopolitical shifts.
A slogan and campaign during World War II advocating for victory over fascism abroad and victory over racism and discrimination at home, particularly in employment and civil rights.
A prominent African American labor leader and civil rights activist who organized the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters and was a key figure in the Civil Rights Movement.