Race relations were _____ during World War 1:
a. improved thanks to the efforts of government programs
b. had moments of violence, but predominately improved material wealth for blacks in the north
c.were among Wilson's top priorities; he had strong relations with W. E. B. DuBois during the war
d. improved outside of the South, but worsened there
e. were not materially affected by Americas entry into the war
I think the answer is b but I was stuck between b,d and e. Is this correct?
Thanks in advance and happy holidays!
I agree that it's b.
http://www.shmoop.com/wwi/race.html
To determine the correct answer, let's analyze the options and the historical context during World War 1:
a. Improved thanks to the efforts of government programs:
There were some government programs during World War 1 that aimed to improve race relations, such as the formation of the Committee on Public Information, which sought to promote unity and common purpose among Americans. However, these efforts were limited in their impact, so this option is not entirely accurate.
b. Had moments of violence, but predominately improved material wealth for blacks in the north:
During World War 1, there was an increase in industrial production in the northern states, leading to an upsurge in job opportunities for African Americans in industries such as manufacturing. While this economic improvement did occur, it is important to note that racial discrimination and violence were still prevalent, making this option only partially accurate.
c. Were among Wilson's top priorities; he had strong relations with W. E. B. DuBois during the war:
While it is true that President Woodrow Wilson had a relationship with W. E. B. DuBois, a prominent civil rights leader and co-founder of the NAACP, Wilson's actual policies and actions did not reflect a top priority for race relations during the war. Wilson, unfortunately, upheld and expanded segregation policies in the federal government, making this option incorrect.
d. Improved outside of the South, but worsened there:
During World War 1, African Americans who migrated from the South to the North experienced relatively better conditions compared to their counterparts who remained in the South. The North offered more employment opportunities and, to some extent, greater social and political freedoms. However, racial tensions and violence also existed in the North, indicating that the situation was not fully improved. Within the South, racial oppression and violence persisted or even increased under the influence of groups like the Ku Klux Klan. Therefore, option d is the most accurate choice in this scenario.
e. Were not materially affected by America's entry into the war:
This option is not entirely accurate because African Americans did experience certain changes in their economic status and social conditions during World War 1. However, the improvements were not uniform and varied based on geographical location, as mentioned in option d.
In conclusion, option d, which states that race relations improved outside of the South but worsened there during World War 1, is the most accurate answer choice.