Latinas and World War II

Latina Women have contributed much to American society, but their efforts are oftentimes overlooked. Especially in times of turmoil, Latina women gather, advocate, and work in order to support the United States. This willingness to sacrifice for country, a country who did not always welcome this population with open arms, is especially powerful during World War II. This period gave Latina women the opportunity to express their own agency and examine their roles as women and Latinas in the context of American society. Through their support of U.S. war efforts both overseas and on the homefront, these women began to question their societal status and call for changes within their culture and country.

World War I Aftermath
In the aftermath of World War I, the United States maintained its status as an international power and President Woodrow Wilson tried to ease the tensions from the war by creating the League of Nations. Industry began to slow down after war production stopped, eventually leading to the Great Depression in the United States. Furthermore, As the countries of Europe were left in debt from the war and inflation started to rise, political and social changes proved to be too much to handle. The Treaty of Versailles placed all blame for World War I on Germany and Austria-Hungary further villainizing them among their constituents in the international community and straining U.S. foreign relations with them as well as other countries.

U.S. Foreign Relations
The United States was a strong ally to France and Britain in the aftermath of World War I. It also opposed the colonization of China and promoted an “Open Door Policy”. Furthermore, the United States fervently opposed the fascist regimes that were gaining ground in The United States had proved itself a world power after World War I, but in the aftermath of fierce warfare and the introduction of chemical weaponry as well as country facing a huge economic depression, there was an anti-involvement sentiment in the U.S. When Germany began its invasion of Poland and World War II began. It was not until December 1941 that the U.S. entered into the War after the December 7 attacks on Pearl Harbor incited public support and Congress declared war on Japan on December 8, 1941. This began U.S. involvement in World War II and set the stage for Latina involvement as well.

Latinas in the U.S.
World War I marked the first time that many Latino Americans felt a part of a national movement. While Latinos in many areas of the country were being treated as second class citizens and racial discrimination was present, they felt as if service and dedication to the military effort would be a way in which they could "prove" their loyalty to the country and their neighbors by joining the war efforts. Many joined the military, worked in the fields in order to continue production, and large number of Latinos moved to northern states in order to support the industrial sector of the economy with their work. These efforts proved to be futile and Latino Americans found themselves continuing to experience racial discrimination and unfair treatment in much of the United States, with terrorism and fear tactics becoming a common thread uniting many Latino-American experiences during this time period. Latina women were faced with this discrimination because of their race, but were also treated unfairly because of their gender. Gender roles were clearly outlined in the U.S. at this time, and were particularly strong in Latino culture as well. While the 19th amendment granting women the right to vote was passed in 1919, but equality in society was another issue. Despite this discrimination, Latina women answered the country’s call once again for support during World War II, both overseas and on the homefront.