Mexican Americans During World War 2 By Enosh C. & Anthony B.

Hardships -Despite being discriminated against, 500,000 Mexican-Americans still enlisted in the army. -Mexican-Americans generally lived separate from the whites in major cities -However, tensions were still high between the two - The Zoot Suit Riots occurred when Navy sailors clashed with Mexicans over the clothes they were wearing -The whites associated the “zoot suit” many Mexicans wore with street gangs

Mexican American’s Opportunities Many saw the war as an opportunity to show their loyalty to the US Several were also recognized as war heroes and received many combat rewards

Mexican American’s Opportunities Labor shortages allow Mexican Americans to leave their farms and work in the cities & factories The Bracero Program allowed for Mexican immigrants to find jobs in the US as farmers

Key Content Terms Zoot Suits: “characterized by a long loose jacket with padded shoulders and high-waisted tapering trousers” Pachucos: The Mexican-American teenagers that wore the zoot suits Mexican-American GIs: the Mexicans suffered many casualties, however, many Mexicans received honorable awards.