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Thesis
Path to Executive Order 9981
1. Civil War to WWII2. Executive Order 88023. Double V Campaign4. Racial Violence At Home5. To Secure These Rights
Executive Order 9981
6. Why Executive Order 99817. Passing of Executive Order 99818. Fahy Committee - Oversee successful integration of the U.S. Armed Services
Breaking Barriers
9. Integrating the U.S. Armed Services10. Desegregation of U.S. Armed Services Accomplished11. Reactions to Executive Order 9981
10. Significance of EO 9981
Resources
Annotated BibliographyProcess Paper

Racial Violence At Home

In 1946, there was a spike in number of incidents where African Americans were being lynched, and veterans returning from War were being mistreated. This resulted in new national pressures on racial segregation.

In 1946, Army Sergeant Isaac Woodard questioned a Greyhound bus driver while traveling from Georgia to North Carolina after being discharged from service in World War II. Police Officers were called, and they savagely attacked him and left him permanently blind.

"Isaac Woodard with eyes swollen shut", February 1946

Photo by J. DeBisse, Courtesy U.S. Library of Congress, https://www.blackpast.org/african-american-history/woodard-isaac-1919-1992/

By September, officials from the NAACP met with President Harry Truman who expressed outrage over this assault.

“My stomach turned over when I learned that Negro soldiers, just back from overseas, were being dumped out of army trucks in Mississippi and beaten. Whatever my inclinations as a native of Missouri might have been, as President I know this is bad. I shall fight to end evils like this.”

~ Harry S. Truman Presidential Library and Museum.

"PRESIDENT’S COMMITTEE ON CIVIL RIGHTS: Issued by President Harry S. Truman by the signing of Executive Order 9808", the President’s Committee on Civil Rights

Double V Campaign

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To Secure These Rights