Question

What is the Selective Service Act? How were Blacks treated in the draft and after the war?

a) The Selective Service Act introduced conscription; Blacks faced discrimination during the draft and continued to face racism after the war.
b) The Selective Service Act reduced military spending; Blacks were exempt from the draft but faced discrimination after the war.
c) The Selective Service Act increased enlistment bonuses; Blacks were treated equally in the draft and received equal rights after the war.
d) The Selective Service Act allowed volunteers only; Blacks were not drafted, and their situation did not change after the war.

Answer 1

The correct answer is option a) The Selective Service Act introduced conscription; Blacks faced discrimination during the draft and continued to face racism after the war.

Step-by-step explanation:

The Selective Service Act, established in 1940 during WWII, was the system that drafted men into combat for Vietnam as well. Under this act, all males had to register with their local draft board once they turned 18, and if there was a war, men between the ages of 18-26 could be called to serve. African Americans faced discrimination during the draft, as they were often passed over for service by all-white draft boards.

However, after pressure from the NAACP, President Roosevelt pledged to enlist more African Americans, and by 1945 over 1.2 million African American men and women were serving in various roles, including infantryman, pilots, tankers, and medics.