World War II—Treatment of Different Groups VUS 10.c,d,e Objectives: The student will demonstrate knowledge of World War II by describing the role of all-minority military units, including the Tuskegee Airmen and Nisei regiments, describing the Geneva Convention and the treatment of prisoners of war during World War II and analyzing the Holocaust (Hitler’s “final solution”), its impact on Jews and other groups, and postwar trials of war criminals.

Minority Participation in the United States Army African Americans generally served in SEGREGATED military units and were assigned to NON-COMBAT roles but demanded the right to serve in combat rather than in SUPPORT roles

All-Minority Military Units TUSKEGEE Airmen (AFRICAN American) served in Europe with distinction –The WAR DEPARTMENT made an unsuccessful attempt to prevent blacks from becoming pilots by requiring a HIGHER EDUCATION or FLIGHT experience –Many applied and hundreds became pilots; they trained at the Tuskegee Army Airfield (TAAF) in Alabama

All-Minority Military Units NISEI Regiments (ASIAN American) earned a high number of DECORATIONS (awards) –Nisei means someone of JAPANESE ancestry –Despite being INTERNED in the United States and treated as potential TRAITORS, many VOLUNTEERED to fight for the USA Most fought on the ATLANTIC (European) Front

Additional Contributions of Minorities NAVAJO CODE-Talkers –Used the Navaho language to COMMUNICATE in code (an oral; not written language) –Impossible for the Japanese to BREAK this code

Additional Contributions of Minorities MEXICAN Americans also fought, but in INTEGRATED units Minority units suffered HIGH casualties and won numerous unit CITATIONS and individual medals for BRAVERY IN ACTION

Treatment of Prisoners of War The GENEVA Conventions At the conventions, representatives from European governments met and agreed that in future wars they would: –Care for sick and wounded soldiers regardless of NATIONALITY –Recognize the neutrality of MEDICAL PERSONNEL –Treat PRISONERS of WAR (POWs) HUMANELY

Treatment of Prisoners of War The treatment of POWs in the PACIFIC Theater often reflected the SAVAGERY of the fighting there –In the BATAAN DEATH MARCH, American POWs suffered brutal treatment by Japanese after surrendering in the Philippines

Treatment of Prisoners of War The treatment of POWs in the PACIFIC Theater often reflected the SAVAGERY of the fighting there –In the BATAAN DEATH MARCH, American POWs suffered brutal treatment by Japanese after surrendering in the Philippines Weeklong march in TROPICAL heat with beatings, rapes, disembowelments, slit throats and no FOOD or WATER –Japanese soldiers often COMMITTED SUICIDE rather than surrender

Treatment of Prisoners of War The treatment of POWs in EUROPE more closely followed the ideas of the Geneva Convention

The Holocaust Terms to know: GENOCIDE: The systematic and purposeful DESTRUCTION of a racial, political, religious, or cultural group of people FINAL SOLUTION: Germany’s decision to EXTERMINATE all Jews

How did the Holocaust happen? Persecution and Genocide were accomplished in STAGES –Jews REMOVED from civil society and forced to live in GHETTOS Many die from STARVATION or DISEASE –Moved to CONCENTRATION Camps Many Used for SLAVE LABOR and die of exhaustion –Many strategically exterminated in GAS chambers and cremated

Who was affected by the Holocaust? Jews, POLES, SLAVS, GYPSIES and “UNDESIREABLES” (homosexuals, mentally ill, political dissidents)

What were the results of the Holocaust? 11 MILLION people were killed –6 MILLION were Jews After the war, in the NUREMBERG Trials, Nazi leaders and others were convicted of WAR CRIMES The trials emphasized individual responsibility for actions during a war, regardless of ORDERS RECEIVED The trials led to increased demand for a Jewish HOMELAND (the creation of the state of ISRAEL)