During the Second World War, what was the main purpose of the Double V campaign launched by African American newspapers in the United States?

Introduction / Context:
During the Second World War, African Americans served in the armed forces and worked in war industries, yet they continued to face segregation and discrimination within the United States. African American newspapers and activists developed the idea of fighting for a Double V, meaning two victories. Understanding the purpose of this campaign helps students see how wartime events were connected to domestic civil rights struggles and how slogans were used to express complex political goals in simple language.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The question asks about the main purpose of the Double V campaign.

• It states that the campaign was launched by African American newspapers in the United States during the Second World War.

• The options describe different possible goals, including opposition to fascism abroad, racism at home, colonial independence, women employment, and war bonds.

• We assume the question expects the well known interpretation used in civil rights history.

Concept / Approach:
The Double V campaign called for two victories: victory against the Axis powers and fascism overseas, and victory against racial discrimination and inequality within the United States. The idea was that African Americans should not be asked to support freedom abroad while being denied basic rights at home. Newspapers used the slogan to highlight this contradiction and to press for change. Therefore, the correct answer must refer to both foreign and domestic victories, not to unrelated aims such as colonial independence or war bond promotions.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall that the letter V in wartime propaganda stood for victory, often used in Allied campaigns against the Axis powers. Step 2: Recognise that African American leaders adapted this symbol into a Double V to express a second victory they sought, which was victory over racism at home. Step 3: Examine option one, which mentions both victory against fascism abroad and victory against racism and discrimination at home, and see that it captures this dual focus. Step 4: Compare this with option two, which calls for independence for colonies, a related but different issue not central to the Double V slogan. Step 5: Note that options three and four describe other wartime campaigns about women work and war bonds, which do not match the specific African American Double V movement.

Verification / Alternative check:
Civil rights histories and articles about African American experiences during World War Two explain that the Double V campaign was promoted by newspapers such as the Pittsburgh Courier. They define the two victories as victory abroad over fascism and victory at home over racial prejudice and segregation. These sources do not associate the slogan with women employment drives, general war bond campaigns, or colonial independence movements, which confirms that only the first option correctly summarises its purpose.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

• The call for immediate independence of European colonies was part of broader anti colonial movements but was not the main focus of the Double V campaign, which concentrated on African American rights within the United States.

• Encouraging women to take factory jobs was the theme of separate wartime efforts and posters, often symbolised by figures such as Rosie the Riveter, not by the Double V slogan.

• Promoting special double value war bonds describes a financial campaign, whereas Double V referred to symbolic victories, not to bond values.

Common Pitfalls:
Students may see the word campaign and think of general wartime propaganda rather than focusing on the African American context. Others might assume that any two part slogan with the letter V must relate to financial schemes or women workforce campaigns. To avoid confusion, it is helpful to remember that Double V in American history textbooks nearly always refers to the African American demand for a double victory: against enemies abroad and against racism at home.

Final Answer:
The Double V campaign aimed to demand victory against fascism abroad and victory against racism and discrimination at home.