Many people took part in the Civil Rights movement, including people from southern states. Harry S. Truman was an unlikely candidate to help out African Americans in their struggle for rights, for he was born and raised in Missouri, a southern state, and he used the word, “N*****,” in his speech. But our 33rd president eventually contributed to the Civil Rights movement with his Executive Order 9981.
Creation of the Order
On June 29, 1948, A. Philip Randolph informed President Truman that an Executive Order needed to be issued that ended segregation in the armed forces, or else African Americans would resist a draft issued earlier. President Truman listened to Randolph and created Executive Order 9981. The Order ended segregation in the armed forces. The document was signed about one month later on July 26, 1948. Although President Truman’s intentions were good, the Order was not well received by most of the Army.
On June 29, 1948, A. Philip Randolph informed President Truman that an Executive Order needed to be issued that ended segregation in the armed forces, or else African Americans would resist a draft issued earlier. President Truman listened to Randolph and created Executive Order 9981. The Order ended segregation in the armed forces. The document was signed about one month later on July 26, 1948. Although President Truman’s intentions were good, the Order was not well received by most of the Army.
The Initial Response
Many army officers were unhappy about the order and began creating a petition to stop it, but the petition never went through. Army Chief of Staff General Omar N. Bradley stated that desegregation would only happen in the army when it (desegregation) became a fact in the rest of American society. Secretary of Defense Louis Johnson accepted the integration of the navy in 1949. But other branches refused to do the same. Other troops were thinking about leaving the ranks because they did not want to fight along side with blacks. Integration began in small increments with 10% a month.
Many army officers were unhappy about the order and began creating a petition to stop it, but the petition never went through. Army Chief of Staff General Omar N. Bradley stated that desegregation would only happen in the army when it (desegregation) became a fact in the rest of American society. Secretary of Defense Louis Johnson accepted the integration of the navy in 1949. But other branches refused to do the same. Other troops were thinking about leaving the ranks because they did not want to fight along side with blacks. Integration began in small increments with 10% a month.
A Slow Start
When the order was first established, officials started to create a plan for integration. However, the plan did not start until the Korean War, a few years later. The Air Force was the first branch of the military to announce that they have integrated black troops in its ranks. The Navy followed suit on June 7, 1949. The Military needed the troops to fight, but blacks were unwilling to serve unless there were given equal pay.
When the order was first established, officials started to create a plan for integration. However, the plan did not start until the Korean War, a few years later. The Air Force was the first branch of the military to announce that they have integrated black troops in its ranks. The Navy followed suit on June 7, 1949. The Military needed the troops to fight, but blacks were unwilling to serve unless there were given equal pay.
The Chain Reaction
Issuing the Executive Order 9981 was a huge step towards African Americans gaining equal rights. Following the order, the Supreme Court Judges in the Brown v. Board of Education case of 1954 ruled that “separate but equal” schools were unequal. A year later, in 1955, Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat on the bus and was arrested for it. In response to her arrest, the Montgomery Bus Boycott began. The Executive Order 9981 was the first real stand against segregation in the U.S.
Issuing the Executive Order 9981 was a huge step towards African Americans gaining equal rights. Following the order, the Supreme Court Judges in the Brown v. Board of Education case of 1954 ruled that “separate but equal” schools were unequal. A year later, in 1955, Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat on the bus and was arrested for it. In response to her arrest, the Montgomery Bus Boycott began. The Executive Order 9981 was the first real stand against segregation in the U.S.
The Rewards
After the Korean War, the military started to recognize what use Blacks were to their forces. Both whites and blacks were given the medal of honor, the highest reward on the military. By 1954, 146 blacks were given the Medal of Honor and were soon given the honor of guarding The Tomb of The Unknown Soldier. Many other medals were given to blacks and some were given higher positions. But these black were never given a hero's welcome. Even officers were still treated like other blacks.
After the Korean War, the military started to recognize what use Blacks were to their forces. Both whites and blacks were given the medal of honor, the highest reward on the military. By 1954, 146 blacks were given the Medal of Honor and were soon given the honor of guarding The Tomb of The Unknown Soldier. Many other medals were given to blacks and some were given higher positions. But these black were never given a hero's welcome. Even officers were still treated like other blacks.
The effects of the order are still seen today. Blacks are still given their opportunity to earn any medal, hold any position in the army, and are finally treated as equals to whites. Some were even included into the Tomb Of The Unknown Soldier.