Analysis Of The Book ' Double Victory '

Throughout the course of history it is apparent that racism is present in most societies. During times of war people of a certain race may choose to segregate themselves in order to become the leading power in their society. In his book, War Without Mercy: Race and Power in the Pacific War published in New York by Pantheon books and copyrighted in 1986, John W. Dower presents arguments for both the United States and Japan which constitute similarities in the belief of a superior race as well as illustrates contradictions on how each side viewed the war.

In The American Journey, David Goldfield et al. state that “Americans in the 1930s wanted no part of another overseas war by a wide margin.” Americans were still recovering for the ramifications of World War I and feared our intervention in any foreign conflict. In the fall of 1941, their reluctance was still abounding even though Germany achieved many victories abroad, the British were toiling to save their empire and Japan’s monumental aggression towards China escalated. In fact, Goldfield et al. noted that, “President Roosevelt’s challenge was to lead the United States toward rearmament and support for Great Britain and China without alarming the public.” Unfortunately, the aftermaths of World War I had set the tone for World War II since many small new nations in Europe felt the upper hand of Germany, Japan, Italy and the Soviet Union. Furthermore, the United States was not highly regarded by these nations, especially Japan, whose nationalists felt that they were unjustly treated after World War I. As much as the United States was trying to remain neutral and President Roosevelt wanted Americans to stay out of World War I, the inevitable came to fruition when Japan attacked Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. Goldfield et al. indicated that, “Speaking to Congress the following day, Roosevelt proclaimed December 7, 1941, “a date which will live in infamy.” He asked for and got a declaration of war against Japan. Hitler and Mussolini declared war on the United States

During World War II there was many hardships and opportunities that groups of Americans had to experience through the War. Some opportunities that American groups had to offer was to get a job, fight for their country, and to fight for freedom. Most Americans did not have as many opportunities because they had to deal with hardships. Lots of the hardships were that they had to deal with racism, men going to war, and wages for women.

The three ethnic groups that I chose to write about is the Japanese Americans, African Americans, and American women in World War II. For example, Takaki told his experiences of the military men, the immigrants, and the government during World War II. The United States was hypocritical having this ethnic groups is expected to fight for freedom but weren't treated as free individuals as promised when they were drafted. In Takaki's he states some powerful statements such as, “War for Racial Equality”, “Four Freedoms”. (Takaki, 7) The four freedoms are the Freedom of speech, freedom of worship, freedom from want, and freedom from fear, which was goals articulated by the United States President Franklin D. Roosevelt on January 6, 1941. Equally important, Ruth Benedict argued that Hitler’s Anti-Semitism required Americans to challenge their own racism. (Takaki, 6) In my opinion, there is no Master Race, we all equal rather we are Japanese, African, White, etc.. We are all from one race called the human race. During World War II it was not only racism in the service it was also still going on with the civilians. As World War II took place Takaki expressed his feelings about the military men, the immigrants, and the government due to that he felt that the United States was very hypocritical.

In his 1986 commonly known book, “War Without Mercy: Race and Power in the Pacific War”, American Historian, John W Dower, examined and explained the relationship in Japanese and Americans during World War II and studies links between culture, stereotypes, and ultimately the high levels of violence. From the start he mentions that “World War Two changed the face of the globe”. He further explained that during the Second War, society had to witness the rise and fall cycle of the empires and what it did to everyone. Dower’s statement of “… racism remains one of the great neglected subjects of World War Two” is definitely the most relatable and true quote from the entire piece. This is a large aspect that the world and society views from and that is why it is such a popular topic throughout the entire text. Even in today’s society, more parts of the world than others, racism still controls how we treat people, who we hire for a job, and what we say in certain environments. He goes on to mention the racist code words and imagery that came with the war in Asia and makes remarks in regards to the “dominant perceptions of the enemy” on both sides of the war. Part One of the book focuses on the relationship between the two whom are at war and the correspondence and differences between the “Enemies.

The Second World War was an international event which drastically impacted the world as a whole. With the war came a new found sense of mistrust throughout society. American and Canadian communities were divided due to the fear of espionage and sabotage, forms of spying which could help aid the enemy in war. This division promoted distrust, discrimination and violence toward Japanese immigrants and their children. To offset these fears resulting from war, Japanese Americans and Japanese Canadian citizens were forced into internment camps, resulting in a heightened sense of tension upon arrival home and finally the compensations of both US and Canadian governments

In the United States World War II has been one of the most remembered wars of all time. Acclaimed historian Ronald Takaki asserts that for many Americans, World War II was fought for a “double victory”: on the battlefront as well as on the home front. Takaki’s book Double Victory: A Multicultural History of America in World War II reminds the audience that there was much, much more happening at home and on the frontlines during World War II than in the battlefield. Takaki presents a strong central argument; it illuminates the incongruity of America's own oppressive behavior toward minorities at home, even while proclaiming the role in World War II as a fight against oppression abroad. It also pays tribute to the determination and perseverance of ethnically diverse Americans in their two-front war against prejudice and fascism. In addition Takaki tells the story through the lives of ethnically diverse Americans: Japanese Americans who felt betrayed by their own country when families were sent to internment camps; For African Americans, the war for freedom had to be fought in their country’s own backyard; a Navajo code talker who uses his complex native language to transmit secret battle messages and confound the Japanese, while his people are living in desperate poverty on a government reservation. Their dual struggle to defeat the enemy abroad and overcome racism at home gives the Double Victory its title and its texture.

The American home front during World War II is recalled warmly in popular memory and cultural myth as a time of unprecedented national unity, years in which Americans stuck together in common cause. World War II brought many new ideas and changes to American life. Even though World War II brought no physical destruction to the United States mainland, it did affect American society. Every aspect of American life was altered by U.S. involvement in the war including demographics, the labor force, economics and cultural trends.

World War II is primarily known to be a war that established peace and equality throughout Nazi Germany and its allies. This war according to many, came to be known as the “good war”, but not to Ronald Takaki. One revisionist argument he makes about the “good war” was that it was not good or equal in any sense. In the first paragraph of Double Victory, Takaki argues that “The ‘Arsenal of Democracy’ was not democratic: defense jobs were not open to all regardless of race. The war against Nazi Germany was fought with a Jim Crow army” (5). Based on previous knowledge of WW2, history does not discuss the side of history where segregation and racism were also a present problem amongst the American people and on their own

World War II stands as a stunning example of America’s heroism on the battlefields of Europe and perseverance on the home front. American citizens sacrificed and provided unprecedented production for the war effort. They were unified in their cause of protecting freedom and spreading democracy. The primary concept of “Double Victory” is the concurrent battles that were being fought by American forces and society at the same time. In other words the Second World War II was also a desperate fight against discrimination for some Americans. For example in Takakis book "Double Victory" it shows stories of the lives of ethnically diverse Americans. In where in his book he demonstrated how an African American soldier in uniform who risks his life fighting in war, was order to move to the rear from a Southern bus driver, somehow this comment forced his white friends to intervene for him. Also, Takaki tells how a Japanese American feels betrayed by his own country and this happened when he and his family are sent to an internment camp without due legal process, but supposedly for the protection of his fellow Americans. In other hand, the book mentioned how one part the U.S military were sent to Europe to rescue a large part of Jewish people from the Nazi concentrations camps, and in the other side the U.S. armies were fighting discrimination in our own land because the reality was much different at home than what we really think about. For example, in cities in the South, blacks

World War II was a war for democracy that brought the nation out of the Great Depression, but it was also a war that exposed the dark side of Americans, which made them resemble their enemies. This is evidenced by the American decision to use the atomic bomb to cause the destruction described by Hersey, and Churchill and Kennan’s portrayal of the Russians as “other.” Ngai discusses the challenges Mexican and Japanese immigrants faced at the time, and the inherent racism behind these challenges. Around the mid-twentieth century, America started importing braceros, \ to satisfy labor demands, and to limit wetbacks. Many joined the bracero program because it offered high wages, but broke their contracts when they faced mistreatment and illegal

World War II had a definite impact on the United States. It changed how people lived and how other people were viewed. Not many people realize the treatment of people from our own country during World War II. Three groups of people that were affected were women, African Americans, and Japanese Americans. The lives of these people were changed drastically, whether by having to work, mistreatment because of skin color, or by being blamed for something that was done by a country they were native to.

East and West had been split after the end of World War 2, and America was recovering from the second “War to End All Wars.” Veterans had returned from the European and Pacific fronts with thousands of losses, and this inspired many of that generation to speak out against war. Suffice it to say very few if any even fought in the war, and didn’t understand the fact that if America had not assisted in the multiple fronts, Hitler would not have stopped once he conquered and “cleansed” Europe. He wanted to do the same to the world. And the Japanese Empire would not have stopped its expansion in the Pacific and East Asia.

71 years have passed since WWII, how much have we changed since that time. What changes as human beings to we need to make to make the world a better place. This essay is completely based of what I can recall from discrimination in WWII and how I have noticed and experienced the changes that have been made since then. These changes are not only seen within the US but from my time I have spent studying Japan and how their culture was effected by the war. During world war II there were many examples of race and gender discrimination. After world war I African American’s, Mexican American’s, native American’s, along with

Four, Caleb, Tris, and some others start the book by traveling to Amity. Tris hears Marcus talking to the Amity speaker, Johanna. She overhears that the Abnegation’s leader died to protect something very secret. Tris later asks Marcus about this, but he doesn’t tell her anything. Dauntless and Erudite arrive at Amity Headquarters to detain the Abnegation. During this, one Erudite woman aims at Peter, and Tris saves his life, unintentionally.