The project seeks to investigate the relationship between two of the seminal moments in modern American history: World War II and the Civil Rights Movement. Directed by Dr. Stephen Tuck ( Pembroke College) and Dr. Kevin Kruse ( Princeton), the project is based on the contention that the war did not suddenly arouse black Americans to protest. Rather, it changed the balance of power between racial groups that had long been competing for power. In part, this was because black Americans took advantage of the crisis in a variety of ways. Just as important, though, the foundation of white supremacy was severely undermined. Furthermore, World War II changed the nature of the state, the economy, Congress, regional demographics, gender and class relations, the law, theological and popular ideas about race and the international context of race relations. All of these developments, in complex and sometimes conflicting ways, decisively altered the relationship between those fighting for racial equality and those determined to maintain racial repression.

A grant of £20,000 from the Oxford-Princeton research fund has provided the core financing for a workshop in Easter 2006, to be held at Oxford’s American Institute. Leading scholars from a variety of fields will reflect on the impact and legacy of the war on America’s racial politics. The conference will be divided into four sections: white supremacy, African American resistance, the role of the state, and a comparative perspective. This initial collaboration will set the model and allow preparation for a longer term major project comparing the struggle for racial equality in a number of settings worldwide.

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