The Second World War was the largest, most costly conflict in human history, involving more than 100 million people from over 30 countries. It saw the United States emerge as one of the world’s superpowers and had a profound and lasting impact on American society.
The Second World War led to the mass migration of African Americans from the rural south to the urban north, which resulted in a significant increase of poverty.
As many as half a million African Americans left their homes and moved to northern cities during this period. This was due, in part, to economic opportunity: jobs were plentiful and wages were higher in northern cities than they were back home. However, it was also due to racism: despite President Truman’s order to integrate the military and various public accommodations, racial discrimination remained prevalent throughout much of America. Many African Americans found that they were unable to find or keep decent jobs or housing because they were black.
The Second World War also resulted in the desegregation of the military, which led to the integration of the armed forces and the eventual desegregation of the United States.
It also resulted in an increase in political activism among African Americans, which helped to improve their political status of the black community.
