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Document Analysis: The Double V Campaign

Two primary sources are listed below. The first is a letter to the editor of…comparing the fate of Black people in the United States who patriotically fought against fascism and racism in Europe while facing racism at home. This letter inspired the response of the Pittsburgh Courier (in the second source), which is that they called on members of the community to join in the Double V Campaign. Using what you learned from chapter 23, the lectures, and outside research (some suggested links are below), answer the following questions: 

What is the Double V Campaign? What were the goals of the movement? What were the concerns raised in the letter to the editor? Does the editorial (in the second source) address any of these concerns? How do these documents attempt to motivate Black people to take action? 

Remember to write this in essay format, while citing your sources.

The assignment is due April 9, 2024. 

Primary Source Links

James G. Thompson’s letter to the editor: “Should I Sacrifice To Live ‘Half-American?'” – Newspapers.com™

Pittsburgh Courier publishes editorial explaining the meaning of the Double V Campaign – Newspapers.com™

Langston Hughes and the Double V Campaign (1944-1945) – The Ephemeral Langston Hughes (udel.edu)

Additional Research Links

The Double V Campaign (1942-1945) • (blackpast.org)

TeachNYPL: World War II and the Double V Campaign (Gr. 10-12) | The New York Public Library

Double V Handout.pdf (gilderlehrman.org)

“The Double V Campaign” · SHEC: Resources for Teachers (cuny.edu)

World War II — The Double V Campaign | Timeless (loc.gov)

Double V Campaign – Topics on Newspapers.com

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