State Historical Society of Iowa

"Why Should We March" Flyer, 1941

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Courtesy of Library of Congress, Phillip, Randolph A.,"Why Should We March," 1941

Description

The papers of A. Philip Randolph document his protests against segregation, particularly in the armed forces and defense industries during the war. Randolph led a successful movement during World War II to end segregation in defense industries by threatening to bring thousands of blacks to protest in Washington, D. C., in 1941. The threatened March on Washington in 1941 prompted President Franklin D. Roosevelt to issue Executive Order 8802, stating that there should be "no discrimination in the employment of workers in defense industries or government because of race, creed, color or national origin." The Committee on Fair Employment Practices was established to handle discrimination complaints.

Full Transcript of "Why Should We March" Flyer

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Source-Dependent Questions

  • What were the demands laid out in the brochure? What were the immediate goals?
  • Why would the brochure feel the need to state this event would not be anti-white or anti-American?

Citation Information 

Phillip, Randolph A.,"Why Should We March," 1941. Courtesy of Library of Congress