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Difficulty: MediumWorld War II: Mobilization and Social Impact

"We, as loyal Negro-American citizens, must not fail to recognize our duty to our country in this time of crisis... But we must also refuse to ignore the undemocratic practices that deny us our full rights as citizens at home. We support a 'Double V' campaign: a victory over our enemies abroad, and a victory over discrimination at home. If we are to achieve true victory, we must ensure that the fight for democracy in Europe and Asia is matched by a commitment to democracy in the factories of Detroit, the shipyards of California, and the training camps of the American South."

— Editorial, Pittsburgh Courier, 1942

The campaign described in the excerpt most directly reflected which of the following tensions on the United States home front during World War II?

  1. A
    A consensus among civil rights leaders to prioritize domestic labor strikes over support for military operations.
  2. B
    The skepticism of labor unions that federal mobilization efforts would successfully end the high unemployment of the Great Depression.
  3. The dedication of African Americans to the national war effort despite facing ongoing systemic prejudice and segregation.Answer
  4. D
    The efforts of isolationist organizations to restrict the employment of foreign-born workers in critical defense industries.

Answer

The dedication of African Americans to the national war effort despite facing ongoing systemic prejudice and segregation.
The correct option is correct because the 'Double V' campaign, launched by the Pittsburgh Courier in 1942, represented the dual commitment of African Americans to fight fascism abroad (victory over enemies) while simultaneously fighting racism and discrimination at home (victory over discrimination). This highlighted the tension between the federal government's demand for total mobilization and the reality of ongoing segregation in the military and discrimination in defense industries.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the historical context and main idea of the primary source excerpt.
The excerpt, from the Pittsburgh Courier in 1942, outlines the 'Double V' campaign: achieving victory over enemies abroad and victory over discrimination at home.
Understanding the source is essential for identifying the core tension it describes.
2
Evaluate the options to find which historical development or tension aligns with the excerpt.
The option highlighting African American dedication to the war effort despite discrimination aligns directly with the 'Double V' campaign's goals.
Connecting the source's message to the correct historical context verifies the correct answer.
3
Analyze why the other options do not accurately represent the historical context or the source.
The other options misrepresent isolationist goals, civil rights strategies, or the economic recovery achieved by WWII mobilization.
Eliminating incorrect distractors ensures the validity of the chosen answer.

Key Concept

The mobilization of society during World War II highlighted democratic contradictions, leading civil rights organizations like the Pittsburgh Courier to launch the Double V campaign to fight totalitarianism abroad and racism at home.
Estimated Time:1m 30s
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Topics

World War II: Mobilization and Social Impact

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