AP African American Studies Flashcards: African Americans and the Second World War: The Double V Campaign and the G.I. Bill
Written by AP Content Team, Verified for 2026 AP Exams, Last updated: May 2026
Review key ideas with interactive flashcards. This set includes 14 cards to help you master important concepts.
What was the state of racial integration in the U.S. Armed Forces at the start of WWII?
The United States Armed Forces remained segregated at the outset of the Second World War.
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What was the state of racial integration in the U.S. Armed Forces at the start of WWII?
The United States Armed Forces remained segregated at the outset of the Second World War.
Despite segregation, what was the extent of African American military service across branches in WWII?
African Americans served in every branch of the United States military during the Second World War.
Approximately how many African Americans served in or registered for the U.S. military during WWII?
Over two million African Americans registered for the draft or voluntarily enlisted in the U.S. military during the Second World War.
Double V Campaign
A campaign inspired by a 1942 letter in the Pittsburgh Courier that urged African Americans to fight for a “double victory”: one against fascism abroad and another against Jim Crow segregation at home.
What was the original intent of the G.I. Bill regarding race?
The G.I. Bill was designed as a race-neutral gesture of gratitude, intended to provide benefits to all American veterans returning from the Second World War, regardless of race.
How did the local administration of the G.I. Bill affect African American veterans?
Because funds were administered locally, they were subject to Jim Crow discriminatory practices, resulting in benefits being disproportionately disbursed to white veterans.
How many Black veterans were eligible for G.I. Bill benefits after WWII?
There were 1.2 million Black veterans returning from the Second World War who were eligible for the benefits of the G.I. Bill.
G.I. Bill of 1944
A race-neutral federal program designed to provide returning WWII veterans with funds for college tuition, low-cost home mortgages, and low-interest business loans.
Tuskegee Airmen
The first African American pilots in the United States military who served in the U.S. Army Air Corps during the Second World War, fighting against fascism in Europe and North Africa.
Why did the G.I. Bill, a race-neutral federal law, fail to deliver equal outcomes?
The G.I. Bill failed to deliver equal outcomes because its local administration allowed existing Jim Crow discriminatory practices to prevent the 1.2 million Black veterans from accessing their benefits fairly.
Who inspired the “Double Victory” Campaign and through what medium?
Veteran and journalist James G. Thompson inspired the campaign with a letter he wrote to the African American newspaper, the Pittsburgh Courier, in 1942.
What contradiction in the U.S. war effort did the Double V Campaign highlight?
The campaign highlighted the contradiction of fighting against fascism and for freedom in Europe while denying equal treatment and upholding Jim Crow segregation for African Americans at home.
What were the two “victories” sought by the Double V Campaign?
The campaign sought a victory against fascism abroad and a victory against Jim Crow segregation at home.
What three major economic benefits were provided by the G.I. Bill?
The G.I. Bill provided funds for college tuition, low-cost home mortgages, and low-interest business startup loans.