"Discrimination continued during World War II despite the patriotism of all groups of Americans." Assess the statement.

Essay by youlackcompassionHigh School, 11th gradeA+, March 2006

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In the early 1930's, war was forming in Europe. Totalitarian dictators were strongly influencing their countries, and those around them. The most prominent dictators consisted of Benito Mussolini of Italy, Josef Stalin of Russia, and Adolf Hitler of Germany. The United States didn't want to get sucked into another war that wasn't their problem, so they proclaimed neutrality with the Neutrality Acts of 1935, 1936, 1937, and later 1939. On December 7, 1941, Pearl Harbor, Hawaii was attacked by Japan, and a few days later, the United States entered World War II. The United States had to make a national effort to provide for the Allies now fighting in Europe. Despite the national effort to do better for the country, discrimination towards certain racial groups existed. Patriotism is the love of and devotion to one's country, and patriotism was definitely prominent while entering the war, because the United States was defending itself and rebelling against the communism within the world.

The statement saying that discrimination continued during World War II despite the groups of American patriots is true. The discrimination can be noted within the history of the Mexican-Americans, the African-Americans, and the Japanese-Americans.

Despite patriotic efforts during the war, Mexican-Americans were victims of discrimination. Americans had to conserve the products that they regularly used, so the products could be shipped to those fighting in Europe. American economy greatly improved, and the war seemed to pull the United States out of the depression. Because of the national draft that plucked men and women from their homes and into the military, there weren't enough workers to produce all of the materials that were greatly needed for those fighting. So the Bracero Program was created, which brought Mexican workers to America to work. Such sudden "rubbing of the races" did spark...