The situation for some minorities improved during the war as opportunities opened up in industries that had previously been closed to them. The African-American population, in particular, made significant progress in the defense sector, where they were allowed to fill positions that had previously been reserved for whites. The integration of African-American units in the military also paved the way for greater recognition of their contributions. Similarly, Native Americans were given more access to education, vocational training, and employment opportunities, which helped improve their socioeconomic conditions.