Question

what did executive order 9981 do?

prohibited racial segregation in the armed forces

legalized segregation in the military

overturned roosevelts executive order 8802

Explanation:

⚡ Using what you learned: core goals of the civil rights movement

Step 1: Identify the historical context of Executive Order 9981

Executive Order 9981 was issued by President Harry S. Truman on July 26, 1948. This landmark directive was a crucial early milestone in the broader civil rights movement, aimed at addressing racial inequality within federal institutions.

Step 2: Analyze the purpose of the order

The order declared "that there shall be equality of treatment and opportunity for all persons in the armed services without regard to race, color, religion or national origin." This directive officially initiated the desegregation of the United States military, making racial segregation in the armed forces illegal.

Step 3: Evaluate the given options

• prohibited racial segregation in the armed forces: This directly matches the mandate of Executive Order 9981.
• legalized segregation in the military: Incorrect, as the order did the exact opposite by abolishing segregation.
• overturned Roosevelt's Executive Order 8802: Incorrect. Executive Order 8802 (issued in 1941) banned racial discrimination in the national defense industry; Executive Order 9981 expanded upon the spirit of fair employment by desegregating the military itself, rather than overturning it.

Answer:

prohibited racial segregation in the armed forces