Social Impact of WWII: Mexican Americans by: Deniz Gurler pd 3

Zoot Suit Riots ● Broke out in Los Angeles, California between Anglo American sailors and Marines stationed in city and Latino youths ● Latinos were recognized by “zoot” suits they favored ● Zoot Suit Riots effect of Sleepy Lagoon murder trial

Bracero Program ● Initiated in August 1942 during exchange of diplomatic notes between U.S. and Mexico ● Created for importation of temporary contract laborers from Mexico to the U.S. ● Name comes from “bracero” meaning “manual labor” in Spanish

General Pedro del Valle ● U.S. Marine Corps officer who became first Hispanic to reach Lieutenant General rank ● Led his Marine regiment and participated in Guadalcanal Campaign ● Battle of the Tenaru: firepower provided by Del Valle’s units killed many assaulting Japanese ● Success of Del Valle’s war efforts had lasting positive impact on Mexican Americans throughout during the war period

Hero Street ● Former Second Street in Silvis, Illinois is now known as “Hero Street” ● Was home to Mexican immigrants who worked for Rock Island Railroad ● From this street, 84 men served in World War II (Korea and Vietnam

Review Questions 1.What were the two opposing sides in the Zoot Suit Riots? 2.What does the word “bracero” translate to in Spanish, hence giving the Bracero Program its name? 3.Why was General Pedro del Valle a name to be remembered in the Mexican American society during WWII? 4.What was “Hero Street’s” former name and where is it located?

Bibliography ● riots-remembering-the-wwii-era-los-angeles-race-riots ● ● ● D-F/delValle_PA.aspx