In What Ways Were Civil Rights Affected by the Cold War in the United States of America

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A. Plan of Investigation This investigation aims to answer the question, “How did the Cold War effect the progression of women’s and civil rights, for African Americans, in the Unites States of America?” To assess how the treatment of women and African Americans changed during the Cold War, this investigation focuses on international scrutiny of the United States. Specifically how the scrutiny lead to the introduction of new policies in the United States that improved the treatment of women and African Americans. Throughout the time period that made up the Cold War, numerous advancements were made in the Unites States’ in the form of new reforms. Reforms such as the Equal Pay Act of 1963 and the Civil Rights Act of 1964, are some of the more notable changes during the Cold War. As a result of events that transpired because of the Cold War, treatment of women and African Americans changed greatly, as the introduction of new policies made for a more equal society. Many sources have been consulted and their information will be presented in this research paper. Two sources have been selected for further analyzation, The Great Cold War by Gordon Barrass and A Hard And Bitter Peace by Edward Judge, for their origin, purpose, values and limitations. Word Count: 202 B. Summary of Evidence Condition of Women’s Rights Before the Cold War During World War II many women were employed in places where it was typically only men working. This was because majority of men went overseas to fight battles for the United States’ army. However when World War II was over and all the soldiers returned home they got their jobs back (Barrass). As a result the vast majority of working women were laid off in favour of their male counterparts. After World War II concluded all was status quo when it came to women’s rights, which momentarily improved during the war. (Chen)
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