It really is not a outstanding statement to say the World War II affected many American lives. How could an all encompassing war not affect every person in America? The extent to which the war influenced the lives of the African-American and the Japenese-American races can be argued to be far greater than many others. The African-American's basis for the civil rights movement was a result of the progress made within the war effort, and the treatment of Japenese-Americans during the war made many challenge the purpose of Americans even being in the war.

Many traditional patterns of life were challenged during the war, and many barriers to racial equality wavered or fell. For many it was hard to over look the similarities between anti-Semitism in Germany and racial discrimination in America. Many civil rights leaders saw this as an opportunity to open America's eyes to the injustices right here in America. They began a "Double V" campaign, victory over Nazism abroad and victory over racism and inequality at home. (Henretta, 843)

The awareness of civil rights was on the rise. Organizations dedicated to the liberation of the black race increased in number and membership. It was also being increased by land-mark decisions. Smith vs. Allwright declared that the all-white primary elections in Texas; was unconstitutional, this former law was commonly used to disenfranchise black voters in the south. It was these wartime developments that laid the groundwork for the civil rights movements in the 1950's and 1960's.

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It is apparent that the war affected many peoples' lives in many different ways, but, for two races it was two extremes of the scope. The African-Americans were given a glimpse at the freedom that was to come, and the Japenese-Americans were fully introduced to the thriving reality of discrimination. It is clear that this war was a turning point in American mentality, although it seemed to be moving in two different directions.

Japenese-Americans were facing a completely different form of discrimination not seen since before the Civil War. A widespread fear that Japenese-Americans would

Some common words found in the essay are:
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Approximate Word count = 781
Approximate Pages = 3 (250 words per page double spaced)