"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."
— President Harry S. Truman, Executive Order 9981, July 26, 1948
Which of the following was a direct consequence of the executive order excerpted above?
- AThe ratification of the Fourteenth Amendment to guarantee equal protection under the law
- The desegregation of the United States armed forcesAnswer
- CThe creation of Medicare and Medicaid to combat domestic poverty
- DThe creation of the containment doctrine to prevent the spread of communism in Europe
Answer
The desegregation of the United States armed forces
The correct option is the desegregation of the United States armed forces. Issued by President Harry S. Truman in 1948, Executive Order 9981 mandated that there should be equality of treatment and opportunity for all persons in the armed services without regard to race, color, religion, or national origin. This order successfully initiated the desegregation of the military, which was largely completed during the Korean War.
Step-by-Step Solution
Key Concept
The desegregation of the military and the role of executive authority in the early civil rights movement.