It is without a doubt that World War II had a great impact on our nation as a whole. This was because war required changes and sacrifices for most individuals and was seen as a patriotic duty. As with any life-changing event, there were good and bad consequences that were a direct result of World War II. Significant changes occurred during World War II that directly affected Mexicans in the United States. While there have been some positive effects nationwide, the most remembered are the negative ones that impacted Mexican communities in Los Angeles, California. It's what became known as the Zoot Suit Riots. To understand the Mexican community's perspective on their treatment during the riots, it is first necessary to know how the Mexican community established itself in Los Angeles along with the factors that contributed to the general public's increased hatred towards them. World War II had conscripted a large pool of young people who left jobs such as farm laborers and factory workers vacant. The federal government then started the Bracero program which brought Mexican citizens into these positions and along with the workers came their families. Many Mexican citizens also had children here in America and these children were Mexican-Americans. These young people had difficulty identifying with anyone and were considered degenerates. Added to this point of view were the living conditions of their neighborhoods called barrios. Barrios quickly sprang up near major employers and were known for their dirt roads, small huts, and no toilets, running water, or other city amenities. Since young people could not impose themselves among other young people, they formed their own groups called gangs. The gangs formed... middle of paper... panish. They would also inform English speakers of the contributions to the war made by Mexicans. This would most likely include recognition of the 350,000 Mexican-Americans who not only served in the military, but won seventeen Medals of Honor. Additionally, Los Angeles County held a workshop for teachers of Mexican students so they could provide them with better care. Political organizations would now support Chicano candidates and assist Mexicans with language and citizenship courses and help obtain government services. In conclusion, it would do our nation good if we could all remember and apply the words of Martin Luther King. “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. Therefore, no American can afford to be apathetic about the issue of racial justice. It is a problem that every man finds at his front door.”