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Title: World War II and African American Socioeconomic Progress

Citation Type: Miscellaneous

Publication Year: 2018

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Abstract: This paper argues that the unprecedented socioeconomic rise of African Ameri-cans at mid-century was causally related to the labor shortages induced by WWII. Combining novel military and Census data in a difference-indifferences setting, results show that counties with an average casualty rate among semiskilled whites experienced a 13 to 16% increase in the share of blacks in semiskilled jobs. The casualty rate also had a positive reduced form effect on wages, home ownership, house values, and education for blacks. Using Southern survey data, IV regression results indicate that individuals in affected counties had more interracial friendships and reduced preferences for segregation in 1961. This is an example for how better labor market opportunities can improve both economic and social outcomes of a disadvantaged minority group.

Url: https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/4179/d1f715f86feb20537eac8fcaaf4450baa7dd.pdf

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Authors: Ferrara, Andreas

Publisher: University of Warwick

Data Collections: IPUMS USA

Topics: Race and Ethnicity

Countries: United States